A free-flowing team sport played on a large oval where players kick and handball an oval ball through goalposts.
Origin and rules
Australian rules football was codified in Melbourne in 1859, drawing on indigenous and English games. Two teams of eighteen play on an oval cricket-style ground, advancing a ball by kicking or punching it from the hand.
How it plays
Matches last four quarters of 20 minutes plus stoppage time. A kick through the centre goalposts scores six points; through the outer behind posts, one. Players who catch a kick on the full earn a mark and an unimpeded next disposal.
Competition
The Australian Football League is the dominant competition, culminating in the AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The sport is most popular in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. International matches remain rare.
Find more sports by letter
Australian Rules Football starts with A and ends with L. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Australian Rules Football":