AFL Explained: History, Rules & Where to Watch AFL in Ubud

If you have ever walked into a sports bar full of Australians and wondered why everyone suddenly erupted because somebody caught an oval ball, you are not alone. Australian rules football can look chaotic the first time you watch it. Players run in every direction, the field is enormous, there are four posts at each end, and the score might read something like 12.9 (81).

But once you understand a few basics, AFL becomes much easier to follow. It is fast, physical, high-scoring and unusually free-flowing - one of the reasons the game has developed such a passionate following in Australia. This guide explains what AFL is, where the game came from, how scoring and the basic rules work, how it differs from rugby, how the season and finals operate, and how you can keep watching the footy while visiting Ubud, Bali.

What Is AFL?

AFL usually refers to the Australian Football League, the elite men's competition for Australian rules football. The sport itself is Australian football, often called Aussie rules or simply footy. It is played on a large oval field with four posts at each end. Players move the ball by kicking and handballing, can run with it while periodically bouncing or touching it to the ground, and can contest the ball in the air or on the ground. There is no offside rule in the way many football and rugby fans expect, so play can open up quickly across a huge area.

For a first-time viewer, the easiest way to understand AFL is to think less about comparing it with another sport and more about its central idea: win possession, move the ball down the oval and create a kick at goal.

A Short History of Australian Rules Football

The roots of Australian football stretch back to Melbourne in the late 1850s. In 1858, Tom Wills publicly called for a football game that could help keep cricketers fit during winter. That same year, Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College played an early football contest that became part of the game's origin story. In May 1859, a group including Wills, William Hammersley, James Thompson and Tom Smith wrote a set of ten rules that helped form the basis of the developing game. Clubs and organized competitions spread through several Australian colonies over the following decades.

The Victorian Football League began competition in 1897. As the competition expanded beyond Victoria and became increasingly national, the VFL changed its name to the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990. Today, the league has clubs across Australia's mainland states, while the sport also exists through state, local, community and women's competitions.

How AFL Scoring Works

There are four posts at each end of the ground: two taller goal posts in the middle and two shorter behind posts on the outside.

• Goal = 6 points. A goal is scored when an attacking player kicks the ball through the two central goal posts without it being touched in the way that would reduce it to a behind.

• Behind = 1 point. A behind can be scored when the ball passes between a goal post and a behind post, or in certain situations where the ball is touched before crossing the goal line.

A score written as 12.9 (81) means 12 goals and 9 behinds: 12 x 6 = 72, plus 9 behinds = 81 total points. The team with the higher total score wins.

Basic AFL Rules for Beginners

You do not need to learn the entire rulebook before enjoying a match. These basics will let you understand most of what is happening.

Kicking and handballing: Players can kick the ball or dispose of it with a handball, which involves holding the ball in one hand and striking it with the clenched fist of the other.

Marks: If a player cleanly catches a kick from another player that has travelled at least 15 meters without being touched or hitting the ground, the umpire can award a mark. The player then has the opportunity to take a kick without being immediately tackled.

Running with the ball: A player can run in possession, but must bounce or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 meters.

Tackling: AFL is a contact sport, but tackles have rules. Legal tackling and pressure are central to the game, while dangerous or illegal contact can result in a free kick, report or further sanction.

Four quarters: AFL matches are played across four quarters. At AFL level, quarters are 20 minutes plus time-on, so the real elapsed time is longer.

No conventional offside rule: Players can spread across the oval, which helps create the long kicks, rapid transitions and end-to-end movement that make the sport look so different from many other football codes.

AFL vs Rugby: What Is the Difference?

Visitors sometimes see an oval ball and assume AFL is a form of rugby. They are separate sports with very different rules and styles.

AFL is played on an oval field, uses four scoring posts at each end, allows forward kicking throughout open play and features the mark as a major part of ball movement. Rugby league and rugby union are generally played on rectangular fields, use try lines, and organise possession, passing and tackles in very different ways. The easiest clue when you turn on a television is the field: if you see a huge oval, four posts at each end and players kicking the ball long distances in every direction, you are probably watching Australian rules football.

How the AFL Season Works

The AFL season begins with the home-and-away competition. Clubs earn premiership points from their results, and their position on the ladder determines whether they progress towards the finals.

In 2026, the AFL introduced a Wildcard Round. Teams finishing seventh to tenth compete for the final two places in the eight-team finals series: seventh plays tenth, while eighth plays ninth. The top six teams have that weekend off.

The finals then feature Qualifying Finals, Elimination Finals, Semi-Finals and Preliminary Finals. Some teams earn a second chance through a top-four finish, while others must keep winning to stay in contention. The two remaining teams meet in the AFL Grand Final to decide the premiership.

For a look back at the latest season’s finish, read our 2026 AFL Finals and Grand Final recap.

What Is the AFL Grand Final?

The AFL Grand Final is the match that decides the season's premier. It is the culmination of the finals series and one of the biggest dates on the Australian sporting calendar. For people new to the game, the Grand Final is also an excellent introduction to AFL culture: club colours, traditions, packed venues and the intensity of a season coming down to one match. The AFL's showpiece is traditionally associated with the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Why Is AFL So Popular in Australia?

Part of AFL's appeal is history. Many clubs have existed for well over a century, so support is often passed through families and communities. Rivalries can span generations.

The sport itself also rewards many different skills. Players need endurance to cover a huge field, strength for contested situations, precise kicking, clean hands, awareness under pressure and the ability to take spectacular marks. A match can shift rapidly from a congested contest to an open attacking move in seconds. That combination of tradition, athleticism, scoring and unpredictability helps explain why footy remains such a major part of Australian sporting culture.

How to Watch AFL in Ubud, Bali

The Melting Pot Saloon shows every AFL game live in Ubud, including the home-and-away season, Finals and Grand Final.

Whether you're following your club or watching Australian rules football for the first time, you can enjoy the match with other supporters, big screens and commentary.

Visit our guide to watching AFL in Bali for venue information, Bali match-time guidance and viewing options.

Watching Your First AFL Match: 5 Things to Follow

If you are watching AFL for the first time, do not try to understand every whistle. Start with five simple things:

1. Watch the score. Six points for a goal and one for a behind.

2. Notice marks. A clean catch from a sufficiently long kick can stop the immediate contest and give the player a kick.

3. Watch how quickly teams switch from defense to attack. The size and shape of the oval creates space for rapid transitions.

4. Listen for 'holding the ball' and other free kicks. You will begin recognizing common decisions naturally as you watch more matches.

5. Pick a team - even temporarily. AFL becomes much easier to get invested in when you have someone to support.

AFL in Ubud: From First-Time Viewer to Footy Fan

You don't need to understand every rule to enjoy Australian football. Start with goals and behinds, recognise a mark and a handball, and watch how teams move the ball towards goal. The finer details become easier to follow as you watch.

Ready to catch a match? Our AFL viewing guide for Bali and Ubud will help you plan your visit to The Melting Pot Saloon.

FAQ: AFL for Beginners

What does AFL stand for?

AFL stands for Australian Football League, the elite men's Australian rules football competition.

Is AFL the same as rugby?

No. Australian rules football, rugby league and rugby union are separate sports with different fields, scoring systems, methods of passing and game structures.

How many points is a goal in AFL?

A goal is worth six points. A behind is worth one point.

What is a mark in AFL?

In simple terms, a mark is awarded when a player cleanly catches a kick from another player that has travelled at least 15 metres without being touched or hitting the ground.

Can you watch AFL in Ubud?

Yes. The Melting Pot Saloon shows AFL in Ubud. For venue-specific information, use the dedicated AFL Ubud viewing article, and check current event/finals coverage for seasonal schedules.