AFL scoring: goals, behinds and totals
Scope: Scoring under the 2026 Laws of Australian Football.
Goals and behinds
A goal is worth six points. The attacking player must kick the ball completely over the goal line between the two central goal posts, without another player touching it. The ball may bounce on the ground before crossing.
A behind is worth one point. Examples include a ball passing between a goal post and a behind post; touching a goal post or its padding; or crossing the central goal line after another player touches it. An attacking handball through the central goals also scores a behind rather than a goal.
Hitting an outer behind post is out of bounds, rather than automatically a behind. A ball touching a goal post has a different outcome.
How to read 10.8 (68)
The first number is goals and the second is behinds. Multiply goals by six, then add behinds.
- 10.8 = (10 × 6) + 8 = 68 points.
- 9.12 = (9 × 6) + 12 = 66 points.
In this example, the team with 10.8 wins by two points, even though its opponent scored more behinds.
At the end of a match
The result uses total points. A tied total is handled according to the competition’s draw or extra-time arrangements; finals can differ from regular-season matches.
Sources and review
Reviewed on against Laws of Australian Football 2026, Laws 16.1 and 18.10. This is an introduction; the full rules and the regulations for your competition take precedence.