The “AFL ladder” is a fundamental component of the Australian Football League (AFL), serving as a visual representation of the performance and standing of each team participating in the league. The ladder is essentially a table that ranks the teams based on their performance throughout the season.

Each team in the AFL plays a set number of games during the regular season. The outcome of these games – wins, losses, and draws – determines the points awarded to each team. A win earns a team four points, a draw two points, and a loss no points. In addition to these, percentage points, calculated from the total points scored by a team versus the total points scored against them, are used to break ties on the ladder.

The AFL ladder is updated after each round of games, providing a dynamic and ongoing snapshot of the competition. The higher a team is on the ladder, the better their performance has been throughout the season. The top eight teams on the ladder at the end of the regular season qualify for the finals series, a knockout competition that ultimately determines the season’s premier.

The AFL ladder is not just a ranking system; it’s a source of pride, a measure of progress, and often a topic of intense discussion among fans, players, and analysts. It encapsulates the highs and lows of the season, the surprises, the disappointments, and the thrilling journey of the AFL.