AFL ladder tiebreakers

When clubs finish on equal premiership points, percentage decides who ranks higher. Head-to-head results are not used. If points and percentage are both equal, the AFL's regulations set further tiebreakers. That is extremely rare.

Tiebreaks on the 2026 ladder

Brisbane Lions (121.7%) rank above Hawthorn (120.1%), both on 64 points.
Geelong (122.3%) rank above Adelaide (117.3%), both on 60 points.
Adelaide (117.3%) rank above Melbourne (109.6%), both on 60 points.
St Kilda (102.8%) rank above Greater Western Sydney (98.9%), both on 40 points.
Gold Coast (94.5%) rank above North Melbourne (88.8%), both on 36 points.

Questions

What happens if AFL teams finish on the same points?

They are separated by percentage (points for ÷ points against × 100). The higher percentage finishes higher.

Is head-to-head used in the AFL?

No. Clubs on equal points are separated by percentage, not by their head-to-head results.