Why is that Australian Rules Football is often referred to as AFL at any level?

Question

The AFL is the name of the national Australian Rules Football league, but alot of people refer to the sport by that name (AFL.) Why? It is like referring to any level of Football ("Soccer") as FA Cup or Premier League, which of course would never happen.

Answer 1

I call it football but I think people call it AFL who watch all the codes of football in Australia think about it there NRL rugby Union AFL and now The a leauge which are all called football by diehard fans and so people dont differ between the different codes I think really its just eaiser

Answer 2

I agree that has annoyed me in the past as well. I think it has come about as a result of the governing national body of the sport evolving out of the main competition rather than vice versa. I think also Aussie rules doesn't really have a firm brand as a sport name in the same way soccer and the two rugby codes have and this has led to people in the northern states particularly giving the game the afl brand name. What is the official name, Australian football? Australian rules football, Australian rules? theres probably a lot of contention...

Answer 3

AFL is such a good name. Go Hawthorn.

Answer 4

AFL is used as an abbreviation...such as the MCG...who says Melbourne Cricket Ground!?! i dont even know what GABBA stands for!

it also eliminates confusion with Soccer fans! VICTORYYYY!!!

f x*x

Answer 5

we don't get all caught up on keeping certain names for certain levels of the game. u can call it AFL, footie, Aussie Rules or make up ya own name for it!

Answer 6

i think Aussie Rules is a more appropriate name when you are talking about footy in general as it can relate to any league or level

you are right AFL is for the national league/best league,thats why we have other leagues like VFL,SANFL,WAFL at state level followed by district/country footy leagues.

so answering your question, im not sure why people use AFL to describe our game-maybe its just easy to say but footy or Aussie rules would be better options

Answer 7

it means that u play Aussie rules but it can me on a differnt level as the main league such as the WAFL, VFL ect even kids teams and the like.

Answer 8

I know. Because its easier to say AFL than aussie rules. And everyone knows what you mean, so it doesnt really matter.

A few telly commentators hate that too

Answer 9

That's a good point. I always say Aussie Rules so I don't have an answer for you. Perhaps people don't really equate the true meaning and find AFL easier to refer to.

Answer 10

Channel 9 started that trend in the 80's when the late news was broadcast from Sydney each night.

Jim Waley would say before a report "In VFL..........."

Obviously prior to the AFL name change.

Similary, he would say 'In NRL.........."