what happens if the afl grand final is a draw

If the AFL Grand Final is a draw at the end of the fourth quarter, the match is immediately decided on the day by extra time, not by a replay like in the past.

What actually happens

If scores are level at full time in the AFL Grand Final, this is the step‑by‑step process:

1. Goal umpires check and confirm both teams have exactly the same score.

2. There is a short six‑minute break for players and coaches.

3. Teams change ends before extra time begins.

4. The game restarts with two extra halves of three minutes each, plus time‑on.

5. After the first three‑minute period, teams immediately change ends again with no formal break.

6. When the second three‑minute period finishes, the team with the higher score is crowned premier.

7. If it is still a draw, steps 3–6 are repeated (another pair of three‑minute halves) until someone is in front when the siren sounds.

Interchanges and extra time

During extra time there are special interchange limits:

• Each club gets 10 interchanges per pair of three‑minute periods , not counting the medical substitute.

• Any unused interchanges from one extra‑time block do not carry over to the next block.

How this differs from the old rules

For most of VFL/AFL history, a drawn Grand Final meant a full replay the following week, which happened in 1948, 1977 and 2010.

From 2016, the league scrapped replays and brought in extra time for the Grand Final, so the premiership is always decided on Grand Final day.

In short: a drawn AFL Grand Final now goes to repeated three‑minute extra‑time halves (plus time‑on) until there is a winner, with no more replays.

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Wondering what happens if the AFL Grand Final is a draw? Here’s the latest rule breakdown on extra time, interchanges, and how the premiership is guaranteed to be decided on Grand Final day.

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