The Latest Breaking News from The Australian Football League

What should the AFL do when players are linked to sexual assault investigations?

The Australian Football League (AFL) and the Sydney Swans are confronting a question Australian sport has repeatedly failed to answer clearly: what should happen when players are linked to police investigations of alleged sexual violence, but the criminal process is incomplete – or inconclusive?

The Conversation · Aug 18

Sports leagues’ concussion guidelines must be broadened as brain health concerns rise

Recently, the Australian Football League (AFL) was rocked when it was revealed a Geelong player with a history of concussion had been asked to waive his legal rights to claim for any future brain trauma.

The Conversation · Aug 17

Your child has pathological demand avoidance? Here’s what it means – and 9 tips for what to do

For some children, everyday demands such “brush your teeth” or “time to get off of your computer game”, can trigger intense anxiety and extreme resistance. When this type of response affects everyday life it may fit into the pattern of behaviour known as pathological demand avoidance, or PDA.

The Conversation · Mar 9

AFL Officials Eager to See a Return of the International Rules Series

Officials from the Australian Football League recently flew into Ireland to explore the potential for a return of the International Rules series.

inkl · Jun 26, 2025

Footy’s ‘code wars’ are back, but which is actually the No. 1 Australian sport: the NRL or AFL?

Every now and then, so-called “code wars” erupt between the major Australia winter football codes: the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL).

The Conversation · May 12, 2025

Australia has a new autism strategy but questions remain for those who don’t get NDIS support

Today the federal government released Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, with A$42 million of funding for the first stage of the strategy.

The Conversation · Jan 14, 2025

Without more investment and better leadership, the AFLW risks slipping back into the shadows

The AFL Women’s (AFLW) league was launched in 2017 as the Australian Football League (AFL) responded to growing demand for a professional platform for women in Australian rules football.

The Conversation · Nov 27, 2024

The AFL’s illicit drug policy is under fire but the bigger issue is that not all sports have one

In March, Australian MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege the Australian Football League (AFL) was operating an “off the books” illicit drug testing regime that is at odds with its obligations under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

The Conversation · Jun 28, 2024

Australian Rules Cleared Of Anti-doping Breaches

An inquiry Monday cleared Australian Rules players and support staff of feigning injuries to cover up illicit drug use, but recommended the sport overhaul its approach amid fears of "criminal infiltration".

International Business Times · Jun 24, 2024

PM rebuffs calls to intervene in AFL drugs scandal

The prime minister has been urged to investigate and intervene in explosive drug allegations levelled at the AFL.

AAP · Mar 27, 2024