If you’ve felt like footy’s delivering more fireworks than ever this season, you’re not imagining things. The 2025 AFL season has been an absolute shootout so far, with teams piling on goals at a rate that’s got fans cheering, coaches sweating, and pundits asking one big question:
Is this the new era of free-flowing footy… or just a statistical blip that’ll swing back the other way?
Let’s break it down.
There’s no single reason why scores have gone through the roof this year; it’s the perfect storm of rules, tactics, and sheer talent.
First, the speed of the game has gone up another notch. The AFL’s recent tweaks to the holding-the-ball interpretation and the “stand” rule have made it easier for teams to move the ball quickly through the corridor. Defenders have less time to set up zones, leaving forward lines open to exploit.
Add to that a crop of red-hot forwards who are feasting on fast delivery. Think Mitch Georgiades leading the charge for Port Adelaide, Jamie Elliott pulling off spectacular snaps for Collingwood, and even the resurgence of big key forwards at clubs like Adelaide and GWS. The result? More goals, higher totals, and some monster quarters where seven or eight goals get slammed on in a blink.
The stats don’t lie: as of Round 12, the average total score per match sits nearly 10 points higher than at the same stage in 2023. Fans are loving the fireworks, but not everyone’s convinced it’ll stick around.
Here’s the reality: AFL scoring trends have always ebbed and flowed. Remember 2011, when total points surged thanks to attacking footy… only to drop again a few years later as coaches tightened defensive systems?
A few reasons why the high scores might cool off:
As Nathan Buckley recently said on the radio: “Footy’s constantly adjusting. You can’t bank on one style lasting forever.”
Among fans, the high scores have sparked plenty of lively debate.
Some are loving the spectacle. More goals mean more highlight reels, more moments to cheer, and less risk of low-scoring slogs that drag through four quarters. As one Reddit user put it:
“If I’m paying $40 for a ticket, give me a bloody scoreboard that’s moving.”
But traditionalists aren’t so sure. For them, footy’s as much about gritty contests and defensive pressure as big scoring runs. Twitter is full of fans bemoaning the “basketball on grass” vibe and longing for the days when backlines ruled the game.
One Collingwood fan summed it up:
“Yeah, it’s fun seeing 120-110. But finals are won in the trenches, not highlight reels.”
So far, there’s no clear winner in the debate, and that’s part of the fun.
Certain clubs have thrived in this year’s scoring frenzy.
On the flip side, teams like West Coast and North Melbourne have struggled to stem the bleeding. Their defences have been ripped open by faster sides, leading to some ugly blowouts.
The big question: Will high-scoring footy reshuffle the ladder by season’s end? Traditionally, defensive teams might find themselves battling just to stay in finals contention if they can’t keep up on the scoreboard.
Here’s where things stand:
Still, it’s hard not to get swept up in the entertainment. For now, the trend is real, and it’s making for some electric weekends.
Is it permanent? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain: AFL never stands still for long.
And hey, no matter how many goals your team’s kicking, it’s the perfect excuse to fire up the BBQ, crack open a cold one, and maybe even show off those custom Australian stubby holders in your team’s colours. Because footy’s not just a game, it’s a lifestyle.
Are you loving the high-scoring AFL in 2025? Or do you miss the days of gritty, low-scoring contests? Let us know your take in the comments below!
