Australian Rules Football, the country’s most popular spectator sport, is most commonly and simply referred to as “AFL” within Australia. This acronym, standing for Australian Football League, represents both the name of the national competition and a generally accepted shorthand for the code of football itself. For example, one might say, “I’m going to watch the AFL game this weekend” or “He’s a passionate AFL supporter.”
The widespread use of the acronym streamlines conversation and media coverage related to the sport. Its ubiquity stems from the prominence of the Australian Football League as the premier professional league. This simplicity also allows for clear differentiation from other football codes, like soccer (often called “football”), rugby league, and rugby union, which are also played in Australia. This clarity is historically significant, as the sport evolved from earlier forms of football played in Victoria during the mid-19th century.
