Aussie Rules Football, also known as Australian Rules Football or simply Aussie Rules, is a captivating sport that has graced the Australian sporting landscape since the mid-19th century. While it remains deeply rooted in its homeland, it has a global appeal, with various leagues and competitions worldwide, albeit primarily at the amateur level. In this article, we delve into the heart of Aussie Rules, exploring its intricacies and, most importantly, the top 8 Aussie Rules betting sites that offer an unparalleled experience for fans and punters alike.
What Is Australian Rules Football?
Australian Rules Football is a unique and exhilarating sport that boasts a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. The sport’s roots are firmly embedded in Australia, where it continues to flourish to this day. The pinnacle of professional Aussie Rules action is the Australian Football League (AFL). While amateur leagues exist worldwide, the AFL reigns supreme as the premier competition for the sport.
The Pitch
Aussie Rules is played on an oval-shaped pitch that bears a striking resemblance to a cricket field. The dimensions of the pitch typically range from 135 to 185 meters in length and 135 to 165 meters in width. At each end of the field, you’ll find two imposing vertical goal posts, standing 6.4 meters apart and towering at least 6 meters in height.
Additionally, there are two “behind posts” on either side of the main goal posts, each standing at a minimum height of 3 meters and positioned 6.4 meters away from the goal posts. The centre of the field is marked by a circle with a precise diameter of 3 meters, bisected by a 5-meter line that serves as the pitch’s midpoint. A 45-meter square is then delineated around this central circle.
To define the field’s boundaries, a white line is drawn, typically running close to the stands where fervent fans congregate. The pitch also features a “kick-off square,” extending 9 meters from the main goal posts, forming a rectangular area 6.4 meters wide.
How Are Points Scored in Aussie Rules?
Scoring in Aussie Rules revolves around the primary objective of kicking the football through the goal posts. The field boasts four goal posts, and the points awarded depend on which two goal posts the football passes between. A clean kick through the two central posts, without any interference, results in a “goal” and earns the team 6 points. But the scoring doesn’t end there.
Shooting the ball between the two adjacent posts or hitting any of the goal posts yields a “behind,” worth 1 point. Even if the ball grazes a post and goes between the goal posts, it still counts as a behind, worth 1 point. If the ball crosses the line without a kick (e.g., carried or other methods), a behind is registered.
Match Time
A typical Aussie Rules match is divided into four quarters, each allocated 20 minutes of actual gameplay. Matches commence with a bounce ball or jump ball, depending on the state of the terrain, akin to the start of a basketball game. One of the field umpires signals the start by blowing their whistle and initiating the ball’s bounce in the centre circle. Until the ball is bounced, only four players from each team are permitted within the centre square.
This initial process occurs at the start of the match and after every goal is scored. In the case of a behind, the defending team must kick the ball back into play from within the kick-off square. Time is halted after each goal and behind, resuming when the ball is either bounced in the centre circle or kicked in. Consequently, each quarter often surpasses the designated 20 minutes in actual playing time.
How Do Teams Win?
The objective in Aussie Rules is straightforward – the team that accumulates the most points across the four quarters emerges victorious. As with any sport, the narratives that captivate fans most are those of incredible comebacks, with one of the most memorable instances occurring during the 2013 AFL match between Brisbane and Geelong. Brisbane orchestrated a remarkable resurgence, erasing a 52-point deficit in a stunning final quarter display.
Top 8 Aussie Rules Betting Sites Reviewed
1. bet365
Bet365 claims the top spot on our list for several reasons. Not only does it provide a live visualisation of matches and detailed statistics for Aussie Rules, but it’s also one of Australia’s most popular betting platforms. Bet365 offers a wide range of live betting markets for this sport, making it a premier choice for punters seeking real-time action. Additionally, you can explore outright markets for the AFL Brownlow Medal, as well as the VFL, SANFL, and WAFL Grand Final winners.
2. Betfair
Betfair, a seasoned name in the betting world, offers an extensive array of markets for Aussie Rules. While it lacks live stats or scores during matches, it compensates by providing valuable information about where to watch Aussie Rules matches on television. You can also find outright odds for the AFL Brownlow Medal.
3. Mr Green
Mr Green secures the third spot on our list, offering an abundance of in-depth statistics that are available at all times, aiding punters in their research. The site excels in design and functionality, creating a seamless betting experience. Mr Green also introduces an “Instant Betting” feature, allowing punters to bet on the next method of scoring during a match, injecting an extra layer of excitement into the game.
4. Paddy Power
Paddy Power impresses with a variety of markets and highly competitive odds. It also extends tempting sportsbook promotions to both new and existing customers. Customer support is a priority, with multiple contact methods available.
5. 888sport
While 888sport doesn’t offer an extensive array of markets for Australian Rules Football, it ensures that the available options are easily accessible. You can enjoy live betting during AFL matches, and the platform provides a dedicated page for historical statistics. The availability of a native app for both iOS and Android users enhances the betting experience.
6. William Hill
William Hill, a prominent betting operator, offers a solid in-play betting experience, with competitive odds for outright markets. Although pre-match markets may appear somewhat limited, the platform excels in providing real-time updates to the odds.
7. 10bet
10bet stands out for its impeccable organization. Punters can effortlessly navigate the platform to explore Aussie Rules markets, and each match comes with a dedicated and detailed statistics page. The site offers a wide variety of pre-match odds, making it a reliable choice for Australian Rules betting.
8. Coral
Coral, one of the UK’s most popular betting sites, presents a limited selection of pre-match markets for Aussie Rules betting. However, it compensates with an abundance of in-play betting markets. While live scores aren’t available during matches, the platform ensures that odds are updated in real-time.
Differences Between Association Football & Aussie Rules
While both sports share the name “football,” there are striking differences between Association Football (soccer) and Aussie Rules Football. Here are some key distinctions:
- Round vs. Oval-shaped Ball: Association Football employs a round ball, while Aussie Rules features an oval-shaped ball.
- Goal Posts and Goalkeepers: Association Football has one goal and one goalkeeper, while Aussie Rules has three possible goals with no goalkeeper in play.
- Number of Players and Substitutions: In Association Football, each team fields 11 players with up to 5 substitutions. In contrast, Aussie Rules features 18 on-field players and allows 3 rolling substitutions during a match.
- Catching the Ball: In Association Football, only the goalkeeper is allowed to catch the ball with their hands. In Aussie Rules, any player can catch the ball.
What Are the Main Aussie Rules Competitions?
AFL League
As previously mentioned, the Australian Football League (AFL) reigns as the primary competition for Aussie Rules Football. Comprising 18 teams, each team plays 22 matches during the season. Teams earn 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw, and no points for a loss. The season culminates in a point tally, determining the rankings. However, the ultimate prize, the premiership, remains unawarded until the thrilling Grand Final.
AFL Final Round and Grand Final
After the regular AFL season, the top 8 teams qualify for the Final Round. This stage consists of three pivotal steps leading to the highly anticipated Grand Final.
- Qualifying and Elimination Finals: The top 4 teams engage in qualification finals, while teams ranked 5th to 8th participate in elimination finals. The winner of the qualification finals advances directly to Stage 3, while the winner of the elimination finals progresses to Stage 2. The losing team in the qualification finals moves to Stage 2, and the losing teams in the elimination finals exit the round.
- Semi-Finals: In this phase, winners from the elimination finals face the losing teams from the qualification finals for a spot in the final 4.
- Preliminary Finals: The victors of both semi-finals confront the winners of the qualification finals from Stage 1. The winners of the preliminary finals secure their place in the prestigious Grand Final.
The ultimate champion of the Grand Final is awarded the coveted premiership, the pinnacle of Aussie Rules Football.
AFL International Cup
The AFL International Cup brings together teams from around the world, excluding Australia, as the sport is predominantly practiced at the professional level in Australia. This tournament occurs every three years, and in 2011, a women’s tournament was introduced. Teams are divided into two divisions, and the games leading to both finals span a two-week duration.
Other Competitions
While the major competitions have been highlighted, several amateur and semi-professional leagues are held across the globe, including in the United Kingdom. These leagues provide an avenue for budding talent to hone their skills and share the excitement of Aussie Rules with enthusiasts.
Aussie Rules Key Dates
The AFL League typically commences in mid-March and concludes toward the end of August. Teams enjoy a brief respite of just over a week before the Final Round commences in early September. The most significant event on the Aussie Rules calendar, the Grand Final, takes place in September. It’s a spectacle that captivates fans worldwide and crowns the season’s ultimate champions.
In summary, Aussie Rules Football is a dynamic, high-scoring sport with a rich history and a loyal following. The top 8 Aussie Rules betting sites reviewed in this article offer punters a comprehensive and exciting platform to engage with the sport on a deeper level. As you navigate these sites, you’ll gain access to an array of betting markets, real-time statistics, and a thrilling experience that perfectly complements the excitement of Aussie Rules Football. So, whether you’re a seasoned punter or a newcomer to the world of sports betting, these platforms have you covered for all things Aussie Rules.
