How Are Results Recorded in Australian Rules Football?

A footy scoreboard tells a fuller story than a simple count of goals. In Australian Rules Football, teams earn different numbers of points for a goal and a behind, so the final result records both the scoring shots and the total points they produced.

You’ll usually see a score written like 12.9 (81). That means 12 goals, nine behinds and 81 points. Knowing how to read that format makes it easier to follow a match, compare teams and understand how a close game was decided.

How Australian Rules Football scores work

A goal is worth six points, while a behind is worth one. A team’s total is calculated by multiplying its goals by six, then adding its behinds.

For example, a team that scores 12 goals and nine behinds has 81 points: 12 × 6 = 72, plus nine behinds = 81. Its score is shown as 12.9 (81). The number before the full stop is goals; the number after it is behinds; the figure in brackets is the total score.

Score notation	What it means	Total points
10.5 (65)	10 goals and 5 behinds	65
8.12 (60)	8 goals and 12 behinds	60
14.7 (91)	14 goals and 7 behinds	91

The order matters: 8.12 is 60 points, while 10.5 is 65. A team can kick more goals but still lose if its opponent’s goals and behinds add up to more points.

What counts as a goal?

A goal is scored when a player kicks the ball through the two taller central goalposts without it touching a post or another player on the way through. It is worth six points, and the goal is added to the team’s goals tally.

A goal can come from a set shot after a mark or free kick, a snap under pressure, or a long kick from open play. The method does not change its value. For example, a set shot from directly in front and a hurried kick from near the boundary are both worth six if they meet the conditions for a goal.

What counts as a behind?

A behind is worth one point. It is generally recorded when the ball passes through or over the scoring area without meeting the requirements for a goal. Common examples include:

• The ball goes between a central goalpost and an outer behind post.
• The ball passes between the central goalposts but touches a player or a goalpost first.
• A defender knocks or rushes the ball through their own scoring area.
• A shot misses the central posts but crosses the scoring line within the behind area.

A shot that hits a goalpost is a behind, even if it rebounds back into play. By contrast, if the ball sails completely outside the scoring area, it does not automatically add a point; play may continue or the ball may go out of bounds, depending on where it crosses the line.

There are rules around deliberately rushing the ball through for a behind. In some circumstances, a free kick may be awarded instead of allowing the defending team to use that tactic without penalty. The precise ruling depends on the action and the competition’s laws.

How the winner is decided

At the end of the match, the team with the higher total points wins. Officials and scorekeepers record goals and behinds separately, but the total points determine which team is ahead. So if one side finishes on 11.10 (76) and the other on 11.9 (75), the first team wins by one point—even though both kicked the same number of goals.

A match result normally includes each team’s final score and the winning margin. Scoreboards and match reports also show quarter-by-quarter scores, allowing you to see when a lead changed. For example, a team may be behind at half-time but win after a strong final quarter.

If the teams have the same total points at the end of regular time, the game is recorded as a draw in competitions where draws are allowed. Finals and other knockout matches may use extra time to decide a winner. The procedure can vary by competition, so check that league’s rules for a particular match.

What else appears in an official match record?

The final score is the headline result, but a match record usually contains more detail. It may list the venue, date, teams, quarter scores, goal kickers and player statistics. Those records help fans see not just who won, but how the game unfolded.

Individual goal tallies are useful, but they do not show every kind of scoring contribution. A player who kicks several behinds has added points even without recording a goal. Team statistics, such as inside-50 entries and clearances, can add context to the score, but they do not change the official result.

When comparing two scorelines, check both the points and the scoring breakdown. A side with many behinds may have generated plenty of shots but struggled to convert them into goals. Another might have scored more efficiently, turning fewer chances into a higher total.

Related Articles

• How Are Goals Counted in Australian Rules Football?
• How Are Championships Awarded in Australian Rules Football?
• How Long Are Breaks Between Periods in Australian Rules Football?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is a goal in Australian Rules Football?

A goal is worth six points. It is scored when a kick passes between the two central goalposts without touching a post or another player.

What does 9.14 mean on a footy scoreboard?

It means nine goals and 14 behinds. The total is 68 points: nine goals are worth 54 points, and the 14 behinds add another 14.

Can a team win with fewer goals than its opponent?

Yes. The winner is the team with more total points, not necessarily more goals. For example, 8.13 (61) beats 9.6 (60), despite having one fewer goal.

Is a shot that hits the goalpost a goal?

No. If the ball hits a central goalpost, the score is a behind, even if it then passes through the posts.

Final Thoughts

Australian Rules Football results are recorded as goals, behinds and total points. Remember that a goal is worth six, a behind is worth one, and the total in brackets decides the winner. Once you know that format, reading a scoreboard—and spotting how a match was won or lost—becomes much easier.