The main difference between short and long formats in Australian Rules Football is how much time and space teams have to play. A short format usually means a match with shorter quarters, fewer players, a smaller ground, or some combination of the three. A long format generally means the traditional full-field game, with 18 players on each team and four quarters.
There is no single rulebook definition of “short format” and “long format” across every Australian rules competition. The details depend on the league, age group and purpose of the game. Knowing what changes—and what stays the same—helps explain why a fast social match can feel very different from a full senior fixture, even though both use familiar footy skills.
What counts as a long-format game?
The standard senior version of Australian Rules Football is the long format most fans watch in major competitions. Each team fields 18 players on a full-sized oval, and the match is split into four quarters. In the AFL, quarters are scheduled for 20 minutes of playing time, with time-on added when the clock is stopped. Community competitions set their own timing rules, so actual match length can vary.
The large ground and full team numbers create room for the game’s familiar patterns: players spread to offer marking options, defenders cover space, and the ball can move from a stoppage into a long kick towards goal. A centre bounce starts each quarter and follows a goal. Teams score by kicking the ball between the central goalposts for six points or between a goalpost and behind post for one.
Long-format footy rewards stamina and decision-making over an entire match. Midfielders may need to run hard both ways, while defenders and forwards must keep adjusting their position as the ball travels quickly across the oval. Teams can use the bench to rotate players, but maintaining pressure and structure for four quarters remains a major challenge.
What is a short-format game?
Short-format Australian rules is an umbrella term for versions that take less time or use fewer players and less space. It is common in social competitions, school programs and junior development, where a full senior match may not suit the available time, ground or experience of the players.
One example is AFL 9s, a non-contact version with nine players per side, usually played on a smaller area than a full oval. Its rules are designed to keep the game moving and make it easier for people with different experience levels to take part. Junior competitions also often use modified rules, with details such as team size, playing area and match duration set for the relevant age group and local league.
AFLX was another short, small-sided version, designed as a fast exhibition game. It used seven-a-side teams and a smaller field, but it is no longer a current AFL competition format. It is useful as an example of how organisers can change the scale of footy to create a quicker spectacle; it should not be confused with the standard game.
Short vs. long Australian Rules Football
| Feature | Long format | Short format |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Typically 18 per team in the standard senior game | Often fewer players; the number depends on the competition |
| Playing area | Full-sized oval | May use a smaller oval or marked section of a ground |
| Duration | Four quarters; timing and time-on rules vary by competition | Usually shorter matches or quarters, set by the organiser |
| Contact | Permitted within the competition’s rules | Some formats, such as AFL 9s, are non-contact |
| Typical purpose | Full competition and senior match play | Social participation, development or a quicker event |
How the tactics change
Space and player roles
On a full oval, teams can stretch play across the ground. A wing can provide an outlet, forwards can lead into open space, and defenders must judge when to guard an opponent and when to protect the area near goal. With fewer players or a smaller field, there may be less room to build a long chain of passes. Players often have to react quickly and support the ball carrier at close range.
Fitness and tempo
A long game tests repeat running and the ability to stay composed late in a quarter. A team might slow the ball down to reset its shape, then switch play to find space on the other side. Short matches tend to leave less time for a side to recover from a slow start. The pace can feel intense, but the reduced duration does not automatically make them harder: the workload depends on the rules, field size and rotations.
Skills and decision-making
The core skills—kicking, handballing, marking and gathering the ball—still matter in both formats. Short games can give players frequent chances to handle the ball, which makes them useful for learning and participation. Long games add more situations that test positioning, endurance, team structure and choices under fatigue. For example, a clean mark in the back half might launch a long-format counterattack; in a compact game, the next kick may need to be shorter because teammates and opponents are closer together.
Which format should you choose?
If you want the complete traditional experience, watch or play a full 18-a-side match. It shows how teams manage the whole oval, use rotations and adjust tactics across four quarters. If you are new to the sport, short formats can be a friendly entry point: fewer players can mean more involvement, and a non-contact option may suit a social game.
For juniors, the right version is the one recommended by the local competition. Modified rules are intended to suit players’ age and development, and they are not identical everywhere. Check the organiser’s rules for match length, team numbers, contact and field size rather than assuming every “short” game follows the same setup.
Related Articles
- How Long Are Breaks Between Periods in Australian Rules Football?
- What Are the Surface Differences in Australian Rules Football?
- What Is the Center Line in Australian Rules Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official short-format version of Australian Rules Football?
There is no one short format used by every competition. AFL 9s is a recognised non-contact option, while junior leagues and social competitions may use their own modified rules. Always check the organiser’s format.
How long is a standard Australian rules match?
A standard senior match has four quarters. In the AFL, each quarter is scheduled for 20 minutes of playing time, with time-on added when required. Breaks and stoppages mean the event takes longer than 80 minutes, and timing can differ in other leagues.
Do short formats use different scoring rules?
Scoring commonly follows the same basic system: six points for a goal and one for a behind. Some competitions may modify details, so players should check their local rules.
Is AFLX still played?
No. AFLX was a short, seven-a-side exhibition format, but it is not a current AFL competition. AFL 9s and local modified games are more relevant examples of short-form play today.
Final Thoughts
Long-format footy is the full-field, four-quarter game that tests a team’s fitness, structure and skill over time. Short formats reduce the scale or duration to make games quicker, more accessible or better suited to development. The exact rules vary, but the goal remains familiar: move the ball, create scoring chances and work together to outplay the opposition.
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.