AFL Analysis and Explainers
How the AFL ladder, percentage and the new wildcard finals work, and what the numbers say about the season.
AFL Home Ground Advantage Is Mostly the Trip, and It Has Shrunk
AFL home teams won 57.7 percent of games from 1997 to 2026: 60.6 against interstate visitors, 51.2 in Victorian games at the MCG and Marvel. Every season.
How Many Wins It Takes to Make the AFL Finals, Eight or Ten
Twelve wins made the AFL top eight 69 percent of the time in 22-game seasons, and 12.5 never missed. The line every year since 1994, and what tenth needs now.
The Brownlow Medallist's Club Rarely Wins the Flag
Only 6 of the 41 Brownlow medallists since 1990 played for that year's premiers. Where their clubs finished, why midfielders win, and Nick Daicos's 47.
The Typical AFL Grand Final Is Won by Almost Seven Goals
AFL grand final results since 1990: the average winning margin is 40.6 points, up from 27.7 before. Biggest wins, drawn grand finals, three-peats and venues.
AFL Minor Premiers Win the Flag About One Year in Three
Of the 33 AFL minor premiers since 1994, 11 won the flag, 33 percent. Finals records for every ladder position, and how Fremantle lost the 2026 grand final.