How the AFL ladder works

Clubs earn four premiership points for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss. The ladder ranks clubs by points, and clubs on equal points are separated by percentage. The top ten clubs at the end of the home-and-away season make the finals.

For example, Fremantle finished top of the 2026 ladder with 19 wins from 23 games: 19 × 4 = 76 points.

Percentage breaks ties

Percentage is points scored divided by points conceded, times 100. A club that has scored more than it has conceded is above 100%. In 2026, Brisbane Lions (121.7%) sit above Hawthorn (120.1%), both on 64 points. More on percentage →

Who makes the finals

Since 2026, ten clubs make the finals. The top six go straight into Finals Week 1. Seventh to tenth play the two Wildcard Finals (7th v 10th and 8th v 9th), and the winners join the top six. How the Wildcard Finals work →

Minor premiers and the wooden spoon

The club on top of the ladder after the home-and-away season are the minor premiers. The club that finishes last gets the "wooden spoon".

Questions

How many points do you get for a win in the AFL?

Four premiership points for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss.

What decides the AFL ladder when teams are level on points?

Percentage: points scored divided by points conceded, multiplied by 100. The higher percentage ranks higher.

How many teams make the AFL finals?

Ten, since 2026. The top six go straight into Finals Week 1; 7th to 10th play the Wildcard Finals.