A tied score in Australian Rules Football does not always mean the match is over. In the AFL home-and-away season, a draw stands and both teams receive ladder points. In a finals match, including the Grand Final, the teams play extra time to produce a winner.
The key is the competition and the stage of the season. Goals are worth six points and behinds one, so teams can finish level with different combinations of scores. Here’s how the AFL handles a tie, and what to look for if you’re watching a match go down to the final siren.
What counts as a tie in Australian Rules Football?
A match is tied when both teams have the same total score at the end of regular playing time. The number of goals does not have to match. For example, 10.10 (70) and 11.4 (70) are level because both totals add up to 70 points.
As in other close finishes, the final siren matters: the score when the match officially ends determines whether it is a win, loss or draw. If the scores are level, the next step depends on whether the game is part of the home-and-away season or the finals.
What happens in an AFL home-and-away match?
If an AFL home-and-away match ends level, it stays a draw. The teams do not play extra time, and they do not replay the match. Each club receives two premiership points on the ladder—half the four points awarded for a win. A team that loses receives none.
A draw can still affect a club’s position on the ladder. AFL percentage is calculated from points scored and points conceded across the season, so the scores in a tied game become part of those totals. If teams finish level on premiership points, percentage can help separate them.
| Home-and-away result | Premiership points awarded |
|---|---|
| Win | Four to the winner; none to the loser |
| Draw | Two to each team |
| Loss | None to the losing team |
So if a match is tied at 70 points apiece, neither club gets to claim a win. They share the premiership points and move on to the next round.
How are ties resolved in AFL finals?
Finals cannot end in a draw, because one team has to advance and one has to be eliminated. If the scores are level at the end of regular time, the teams play extra time under the AFL’s finals rules.
In the AFL, extra time is played in two periods of five minutes, with time-on added. The teams change ends between those periods. If the scores are still level at the end of the second period, further periods are played until the tie is broken. It is not a “golden point” system: taking the lead during a period does not end the match straight away. The score is checked at the end of the prescribed period.
Because time-on can extend play beyond five minutes on the clock, an extra-time period may last longer than five minutes in real time. The umpires and officials administer the timing and restarts in line with the finals playing conditions.
Does the same rule apply to the Grand Final?
Yes. Under the modern AFL finals system, a tied Grand Final goes to extra time rather than being replayed. That was not always the case: the 2010 Grand Final between Collingwood and St Kilda finished 68–68 and was replayed the following week. Collingwood won the replay. AFL finals rules have since changed so a drawn final is settled on the day through extra time.
Why do competition rules matter?
“Australian Rules Football” covers more than the AFL. State leagues, community competitions, junior football and other national leagues may use different match-length or tie-breaking rules. Some competitions may have their own extra-time format, while others may allow a home-and-away draw to stand.
If you’re watching outside the AFL, check the competition’s rules rather than assuming the AFL procedure applies. The distinction is especially useful in finals: the goal is generally to find a winner, but the exact format and timing can vary.
Related Articles
- How Are Ties Broken in Australian Rules Football?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do AFL teams get extra time if a home-and-away game is tied?
No. In a standard AFL home-and-away match, the draw stands. Each team receives two premiership points.
How long is extra time in an AFL final?
The initial extra time consists of two five-minute periods, with time-on added. If the scores remain level, further periods are played until the match has a winner.
Does the first score in extra time win the match?
No. AFL finals do not use a golden-point rule. The score is assessed at the end of the relevant extra-time period, not as soon as a team goes ahead.
Can a tied AFL Grand Final be replayed?
Under the modern AFL finals system, a tied Grand Final is settled with extra time. The 2010 Grand Final replay is a notable example of the older approach.
Final Thoughts
For AFL home-and-away matches, a tie is a final result: both clubs take two ladder points. In finals, the teams keep playing through extra time until one finishes a period ahead. If you’re following another Australian Rules competition, check its specific rules, as the AFL format is not universal.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.