What happens if the scores are level at the end of a final?

A final cannot end in a draw. Under AFL Regulation 2.8, the goal umpires first confirm the scores are identical, then:

1. There is a 6 minute 30 second rest period.
2. Teams play Additional Time: two periods of 3 minutes each, plus time on for stoppages. Teams change ends at the start of the first period and again after it, without delay.
3. At the end of Additional Time the team with the higher score wins.
4. If the scores are still level, Further Additional Time is played the same way (two 3-minute periods plus time on, changing ends), and this repeats until one team is in front at the end of a period.

Interchange cap: each team gets a fresh cap of 10 interchanges for the two periods of each block of Additional Time or Further Additional Time. There are no coaches' or officials' breaks on the ground during Further Additional Time.

Source: AFL Regulations (11 February 2026), Regulations 2.8 and 12.8(c)(v).