Which score decides the result of an AFL match?

Under AFL Regulation 15.3, the Executive General Manager Football may appoint an Official Scorer (to record the scores) and a Score Reviewer (to take part in scoring consultations with the umpires through the Score Review System). Subject to the general powers of the AFL Commission and the Executive General Manager Football, the score recorded by the Official Scorer(s) determines the result of the match.

The Laws also let the controlling body use separately recorded scores. If the goal umpires cannot agree on the final score, the controlling body may take into account the scores kept by the timekeepers and by any independent scorers it has appointed (Law 16.7).

Sources: AFL Regulations (11 February 2026), Regulation 15.3; Laws of Australian Football 2026, Law 16.7.