What is AFL? Australian Football Explained

What exactly is AFL (Australian Football League) and why are Australians so obsessed with it? In this episode of Beyond The Outback, Tom explains Australian Rules Football to Emily — and to anyone around the world who has ever watched AFL and thought “what is going on?” We break down the history of Australian Rules Football, how the game is played, the rules, scoring system, and why AFL matches are some of the most exciting sporting events in Australia. You’ll also learn about: • The origins of AFL in Melbourne in 1858 • How the game is played and how teams score • Why players take incredible high marks (“speckies”) • The biggest AFL teams and rivalries • How the AFL Finals and Grand Final work • The rise of the AFLW women's league • How AFL compares to NFL, soccer, and rugby If you’ve never watched Australian Rules Football, this episode will help you understand the sport and why millions of Australians love it. Subscribe to Beyond The Outback for more episodes exploring Australian culture, sports, food, slang and everyday life.