Hey! The 2023 AFL season is in its sixth week, and fans are already enjoying it. It is also one of the few sports that are highly trending in Australia. With that being said, every year we (The fans) see millions of attendees in AFL seasons, resulting in an average of 125.5 million viewers in 2022.
More than that, it’s a fun game with great gameplay, unique rules, and diverse culture, which has everything you need from a sport to enjoy.
Overall, it’s time to enjoy this year’s AFL season. But if you are new to Aussie rules, understanding the absolute number of teams participating in this year’s season will be helpful. Therefore, this page will provide information about AFL 2023 and the teams waiting to win the AFL season 2023.
We have added additional information, including rules and facts related to AFL 2023 season. But before that, here is a short overview of the AFL season.
Overview
The Australian Football League has come a long way, debuting in 1896. It was initially called the Victorian League, later forming the name AFL. It is one of the few sports to have a unique format. Here is a basic structure you should know about AFL 2023:
AFL 2023 Format
The 2023 AFL format will have its traditional 23-round regular season in which the top-eight teams become qualified to participate in final matches. The final rounds consist of knockout games that are played in the last four weeks and finally end in the Grand Finale that takes place in Melbourne.
How Many Teams Are in the AFL Season 2023?
It looks like the tradition of 18 teams will be followed this year also, as the total number of teams participating in this year’s AFL is the same.
Standings of the 2023 AFL season
- St Kilda
- Essendon
- Collingwood
- Carlton
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Port Adelaide
- Geelong
- Fremantle
- GWS Giants
- North Melbourne
- Bulldogs
- Richmond
- Rich Coast
- West Coast
- Hawthorn
These are the standings of 18 teams currently playing in the AFL 2023 season.
Which Team is Most Likely to Win The 2023 AFL Grand Final?
St Kilda
| Total AFL Wins | 1966 VFL |
| Total AFL Finals | 11 times |
| Players List 2023 | Oscar Adams Matthew Allison Josh Battle Jack Billings Dan Butler Ryan Byrnes Jack Bytel Anthony Caminiti Tom Campbell Hunter Clark Nick Coffield Leo Connolly Zaine Cordy Brad Crouch Jade Gresham Jack Hayes Max Heath Jack Higgins Tom Highmore Bradley Hill Olli Hotton Dougal Howard Zak Jones Isaac Keeler Max King Rowan Marshall Daniel McKenzie Angus McLennan Tim Membrey Mitchito Owens Ben Paton Jack Peris Mattaes Phillipou Sebastian Ross Cooper Sharman Jack Sinclair Jack Steele Liam Stocker James Van Es Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Jimmy Webster Callum Wilkie Marcus Windhager Mason Wood |
| Head Coach | Ross Lyon |
| Experience Rank | 11th |
St Kilda is an underdog in this year’s 2023 AFL season. They haven’t won a single AFL title since the 1966 VFL. Therefore, It will be history-making if ST Kilda manages to win the 2023 AFL season.
Essendon
| Total AFL Wins | 16 |
| Total AFL Finals | 58 |
| Players List 2023 | Andrew McGrath Sam Draper Darcy Parish Kyle Langford Elijah Tsatas Jye Caldwell Zach Merrett Ben Hobbs Dylan Shiel Sam Weideman Will Snelling Will Setterfield Nik Cox Jordan Ridley Jayden Laverde Archie Perkins James Stewart Lewis Hayes Nick Hind Peter Wright Dyson Heppell Sam Durham Harrison Jones Nick Bryan Jake Stringer Kaine Baldwin Mason Redman Alastair Lord Jake Kelly Brandon Zerk-Thatcher Zach Reid Alwyn Davey Andrew Phillips Matt Guelfi Jayden Davey Nic Martin Rhett Montgomerie Patrick Voss Tex Wanganeen Cian McBride Massimo D’Ambrosio Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti Anthony Munkara Jye Menzie |
| Head Coach | Brad Scott |
| Experience Rank | 16th |
Essendon has won 16 AFL titles while qualifying for 58 AFL finals. They are no doubt one of the most dominating and strongest teams to play in the 2023 AFL season. However, it seems they lack the experience ranking which plays an important role in leading a team to win.
Collingwood
| Total AFL Wins | 15 |
| Total AFL Finals | 44 |
| Players List 2023 | Patrick Lipinski Jordan De Goey Isaac Quaynor Brayden Maynard (previously ) Jamie Elliott Tom Mitchell Josh Daicos Trent Bianco John Noble Scott Pendlebury Dan McStay Tom Wilson Taylor Adams Darcy Cameron Nathan Kreuger Ed Allan Billy Frampton Finlay Macrae Arlo Draper Will Kelly Trey Ruscoe Steele Sidebottom Bobby Hill Jakob Ryan Jack Crisp Reef McInnes Cooper Murley Nathan Murphy Joe Richards Darcy Moore Beau McCreery Will Hoskin-Elliott Jack Ginnivan Nick Daicos Harvey Harrison Oleg Markov Jeremy Howe Aiden Begg Ash Johnson Brody Mihocek Charlie Dean Oscar Steene Josh Carmichael Mason Cox |
| Head Coach | Craig McRae |
| Experience Rank | 5th |
Having 15 AFL titles and 44 AFL finals, Collingwood developed itself as one of the strongest and fan-favorite teams in the AFL 2023 season. They have a high chance of reaching the AFL finals and giving a tough fight. Moreover, it won’t be a surprise if they end up winning the title.
Carlton
| Total AFL Wins | 16 |
| Total AFL Finals | 29 |
| Players List 2023 | Jack Silvagni Paddy Dow Jesse Motlop Lochie O’Brien Adam Cerra Zac Williams Matthew Kennedy Lachlan Fogarty Patrick Cripps Harry McKay Mitch McGovern Tom De Koning Blake Acres Oliver Hollands Sam Docherty Jack Carroll Brodie Kemp Sam Walsh Corey Durdin Lachie Plowman Jack Martin Caleb Marchbank Jacob Weitering Nic Newman Zac Fisher Lachlan Cowan Marc Pittonet David Cuningham George Hewett Charlie Curnow Harry Lemmey Jaxon Binns Lewis Young Sam Philp Ed Curnow Josh Honey Jordan Boyd Sam Durdin Alex Cincotta Domanic Akuei Adam Saad Matt Owies Alex Mirkov Matt Cottrell Hudson O’Keeffe |
| Coach | Michael Voss |
| Rank 2023 | 8th |
Winning the most titles in AFL, Carlton is one of the most popular AFL teams that has played the Aussie Rules in one of the best ways possible. With almost 25 years of experience, Carlton has dominated the AFL by winning it 16th times and making their way to finals 29 times. They are potential enough to win this year’s 2023 AFL season or at least make it to the finals.
Sydney
| Total AFL Wins | 2 (as Sydney Swans) 3 (as South Melbourne) |
| Total AFL Finals | 17 |
| Players List 2023 | Chad Warner Hayden McLean Dylan Stephens Ryan Clarke Isaac Heeney Logan McDonald Harry Cunningham James Rowbottom Will Hayward Aaron Francis Tom Papley Oliver Florent Callum Mills Sam Wicks Braeden Campbell Will Gould Jacob Konstanty Peter Ladhams Sam Reid Sam Reid Errol Gulden Nick Blakey Lance Franklin Dane Rampe Cooper Vickery Luke Parker Justin McInerney Will Edwards Angus Sheldrick Tom McCartin Tom Hickey Jaiden Magor Marc Sheather Matt Roberts Caleb Mitchell Joel Amartey Corey Warner Paddy McCartin Cameron Owen Lachlan Rankin Robbie Fox Lewis Melican Jake Lloyd Hugo Hall-Kahan Lachlan McAndrew |
| Current Coach | John Longmire |
| Rank 2023 | 14th |
Under one of the best coaches of AFL, John Longmire, Sydney has shown growth in its play by dominating previous AFL seasons and reaching the finals of the 2022 season. Furthermore, they may win this year’s season and win the title by shattering the dreams of other teams this season.
Melbourne
| Total AFL Wins | 13 |
| Total AFL Finals | 18 |
| Players List 2023 | Steven May Jacob van Rooyen Christian Salem James Harmes Christian Petracca Brodie Grundy Jack Viney Jake Lever Charlie Spargo Angus Brayshaw Max Gawn Lachie Hunter Clayton Oliver Michael Hibberd Ed Langdon Bailey Laurie Jake Bowey Jake Melksham Josh Schache Adam Tomlinson Matthew Jefferson Blake Howes James Jordon Trent Rivers Tom McDonald Jed Adams Luke Dunstan Will Verrall Joel Smith Alex Neal-Bullen Bayley Fritsch Tom Sparrow Kye Turner Deakyn Smith Harrison Petty Kysaiah Pickett Kade Chandler Oliver Sestan Judd McVee Daniel Turner Kyah Farris-White Andy Moniz-Wakefield Ben Brown |
| Current Coach | Simon Goodwin |
| Experience Rank | 6th |
The fan-favorite and popular AFL team Melbourne is a potential team to reach this year’s top 8 teams. They may end up reaching the finals and winning the title. However, their journey won’t be an easy one as there are more strong teams waiting to eliminate Melbourne.
Adelaide
| Total AFL Wins | 3 |
| Total AFL Finals | 5 |
| Players List 2023 | Chayce Jones Ben Keays Sam Berry Lachlan Murphy Matt Crouch Jackson Hately Riley Thilthorpe Josh Rachele Rory Sloane Luke Pedlar Paul Seedsman Jordan Dawson Taylor Walker Jake Soligo Brayden Cook Max Michalanney Will Hamill Zak Taylor Mitch Hinge Tyler Brown Izak Rankine Shane McAdam Josh Worrell Ned McHenry Harry Schoenberg Luke Nankervis Nick Murray Rory Laird Wayne Milera Billy Dowling Darcy Fogarty Brodie Smith Elliot Himmelberg James Borlase Andrew McPherson Patrick Parnell Lachlan Sholl Tom Doedee Hugh Bond Jordon Butts Tariek Newchurch Reilly O’Brien Lachlan Gollant |
| Coach | Matthew Nicks |
| Experience Rank | 17th |
Adelaide is one of the least experienced teams playing in this year’s AFL season. Coached by Matthew Nicks, it will be fun to see how far Adelaide reaches in the 2023 AFL season.
Brisbane
| Total AFL Wins | 3 |
| Total AFL Finals | 4 |
| Players List 2023 | Kai Lohmann Deven Robertson Joe Daniher Callum Ah Chee Josh Dunkley Hugh McCluggage Jarrod Berry Will Ashcroft Lachie Neale Daniel Rich Lincoln McCarthy Nakia Cockatoo Blake Coleman James Madden Dayne Zorko Cam Rayner Jarryd Lyons Keidean Coleman Jack Gunston Jaxon Prior Tom Fullarton Harry Sharp Charlie Cameron Marcus Adams Henry Smith Conor McKenna Darcy Gardiner Jaspa Fletcher James Tunstill Eric Hipwood Harris Andrews Darcy Fort Zac Bailey Shadeau Brain Ryan Lester Rhys Mathieson Brandon Starcevich Carter Michael Jack Payne Darragh Joyce Noah Answerth Darcy Wilmot Kalin Lane Oscar McInerney Darryl McDowell-White |
| Current Coach | Chris Fagan |
| Experience Rank | 3rd |
Brisbane may have only won 3 AFL titles and reached only 4 finals, but they did put up some serious fights in their previous AFL seasons. They are one of the strongest obstacles that other teams have to encounter in this year’s season. Moreover, they may end up becoming a part of the 2023 AFL final series.
Port Adelaide
| Total AFL Wins | 1 |
| Total AFL Finals | 2 |
| Players List 2023 | Aliir Aliir Nathan Barkla Miles Bergman Travis Boak Riley Bonner Jase Burgoyne Ryan Burton Zak Butters Darcy Byrne-Jones Tom Clurey Charlie Dixon Willem Drew Trent Dumont Xavier Duursma Francis Evans Orazio Fantasia Kane Farrell Jeremy Finlayson Mitch Georgiades Sam Hayes Jason Horne-Francis Dan Houston Hugh Jackson Tom Jonas Lachlan Jones Ollie Lord Scott Lycett Kyle Marshall Todd Marshall Tom McCallum Jed McEntee Trent McKenzie Jackson Mead Jake Pasini Sam Powell-Pepper Junior Rioli Connor Rozee Thomas Scully Josh Sinn Brynn Teakle Dante Visentini Dylan Williams Ollie Wines |
| Current Coach | Ken Hinkley |
| Experience Rank | 10th |
Port Adelaide has 24.4 years of experience which may help them to reach this year’s AFL final series. However, they are less likely to win this year’s AFL title.
Geelong
| Total AFL Wins | 10 |
| Total AFL Finals | 20 |
| Players List 2023 | Rhys Stanley Zach Tuohy Brandan Parfitt Tanner Bruhn Jeremy Cameron Toby Conway Isaac Smith Jake Kolodjashnij Max Holmes Mitch Knevitt Cooper Whyte Jack Bowes Jhye Clark Jonathon Ceglar Sam De Koning Esava Ratugolea Tyson Stengle Phoenix Foster James Willis Osca Riccardi Mitch Duncan Gary Rohan Jed Bews Flynn Kroeger Tom Hawkins Sam Menegola Oliver Dempsey Cameron Guthrie Tom Atkins Oscar Murdoch Gryan Miers Shannon Neale Oisin Mullin Patrick Dangerfield Oliver Henry Sam Simpson Jack Henry Zach Guthrie Ted Clohesy Mark O’Connor Tom Stewart Brad Close Mark Blicavs |
| Current Coach | Chris Scott |
| Experience Rank | 1st |
Geelong is considered one of the strongest and most experienced teams in the Australian Football League. They have won 10 AFL titles and have played 20 AFL final series. Besides, they are under Chris Scott who is one of the best coaches in the League. Therefore, Geelong has a strong chance of winning or at least reaching the finals of the 2023 AFL season.
Fremantle
| Total AFL Wins | 0 |
| Total AFL Finals | 1 |
| Players List 2023 | Sam Sturt Jaeger O’Meara Caleb Serong Sean Darcy Lachie Schultz Jordan Clark Nathan Fyfe Andrew Brayshaw Luke Jackson Michael Walters James Aish Hugh Davies Luke Ryan Nathan Wilson Ethan Hughes Will Brodie Tom Emmett Josh Corbett Matthew Taberner Joel Hamling Max Knobel Liam Henry Jye Amiss Alex Pearce Hayden Young Heath Chapman Neil Erasmus Nathan O’Driscoll Brandon Walker Michael Frederick Travis Colyer Corey Wagner Josh Treacy Brennan Cox Josh Draper Eric Benning Sam Switkowski Karl Worner Bailey Banfield Liam Reidy Sebit Kuek Matt Johnson |
| Head Coach | Justin Longmuir |
| Experience Rank | 15th |
Playing only one AFL final series and having less experience puts Freemantle in a difficult position where they may fail even to reach the final series. It will only be there a performance that can help them make history and take the title home. Overall, it seems impossible for Fremantle to win this AFL 2023 season.
GWS Giants
| Total AFL Wins | 0 |
| Total AFL Finals | 1 |
| Players List 2023 | Phil Davis Darcy Jones Stephen Coniglio Toby Greene Aaron Cadman Lachie Whitfield Lachie Ash Callan Ward Ryan Angwin Jacob Wehr Braydon Preuss Tom Green Isaac Cumming Toby Bedford Sam Taylor Brent Daniels Finn Callaghan Conor Stone Nick Haynes James Peatling Leek Aleer Josh Kelly Jesse Hogan Harry Rowston Lachlan Keeffe Jake Riccardi Harry Himmelberg Cameron Fleeton Matthew Flynn Toby McMullin Kieren Briggs Xavier O’Halloran Josh Fahey Max Gruzewski Harry Perryman Daniel Lloyd Connor Idun Adam Kennedy Nick Madden Jason Gillbee Cooper Hamilton Jack Buckley Wade Derksen Callum Brown |
| Head Coach | Adam Kingsley |
| Experience Rank | 12th |
GW Giants are also among the inferior teams to have all the odds against them. The team still has to gain more experience and needs to play more AFL seasons. However, for this season, they are not the favorite ones to win.
North Melbourne
| Total AFL Wins | 4 |
| Total AFL Finals | 9 |
| Players List 2023 | Jack Mahony Jaidyn Stephenson Harry Sheezel Aidan Corr Curtis Taylor George Wardlaw Jack Ziebell Bailey Scott Luke Davies-Uniacke Ben Cunnington Luke McDonald Jy Simpkin Darcy Tucker Liam Shiels Daniel Howe Aiden Bonar Lachie Young Hugh Greenwood Griffin Logue Nick Larkey Callum Coleman-Jones Todd Goldstein Ben McKay Tom Powell Paul Curtis Tarryn Thomas Miller Bergman Kayne Turner Will Phillips Charlie Comben Josh Goater Jacob Edwards Brayden George Jackson Archer Charlie Lazzaro Phoenix Spicer Cooper Harvey Tristan Xerri Flynn Perez Eddie Ford Blake Drury Kallan Dawson Aaron Hall Cameron Zurhaar Hamish Free |
| Head Coach | Alastair Clarkson |
| Experience Rank | 13th |
Although they are not a weak team, they have shown to struggle in their previous AFL seasons. Therefore, they may have less chance of winning this season but it will surely bring more experience to the team and help them crawl the rankings.
Bulldogs
| Total AFL Wins | 2 |
| Total AFL Finals | 4 |
| Players List 2023 | Ben Ainsworth Noah Anderson Jed Anderson Mac Andrew Rory Atkins Charlie Ballard Thomas Berry Connor Blakely Sandy Brock Connor Budarick Chris Burgess Levi Casboult Mabior Chol Sam Collins Charlie Constable Alex Davies Sam Day Brandon Ellis Jy Farrar Oskar Faulkhead Brayden Fiorini Sam Flanders Caleb Graham Elijah Hollands Nick Holman Bailey Humphrey Joel Jeffrey Lloyd Johnston Ben King Sean Lemmens Ben Long Jack Lukosius Darcy Macpherson Brodie McLaughlin Touk Miller Ned Moyle Hewago Oea Wil Powell Malcolm Rosas Matt Rowell Alex Sexton Jeremy Sharp Jake Stein David Swallow James Tsitas Bodhi Uwland Lachie Weller Jarrod Witts |
| Head Coach | Kirby Smart Will Muschamp |
| Experience Rank | 2nd |
The 2021 AFL season was a successful period for the team as they finished in the final series. Besides, they are one of the strongest teams on the list based on their experience and team members. They are currently the fan favorite to win this season or at least reach the final series of the 2023 AFL season.
Richmond
| Total AFL Wins | 13 |
| Total AFL Finals | 25 |
| Players List 2023 | Liam Baker Noah Balta Sam Banks Jacob Bauer Shai Bolton Kaelan Bradtke Nathan Broad Tom Brown Seth Campbell Judson Clarke Mate Colina Trent Cotchin Noah Cumberland Thomson Dow Josh Gibcus Jack Graham Steely Green Dylan Grimes Jacob Hopper Tom Lynch Rhyan Mansell Dustin Martin Kamdyn McIntosh Ben Miller Toby Nankervis Bigoa Nyuon Marlion Pickett Dion Prestia Hugo Ralphsmith Jack Riewoldt Daniel Rioli Maurice Rioli Jack Ross Samson Ryan Jayden Short Kaleb Smith Ivan Soldo Tyler Sonsie Tim Taranto Robbie Tarrant Nick Vlastuin Tylar Young |
| Head Coach | Damien Hardwick |
| Experience Rank | 4th |
The Richmond Tigers are one of the most powerful teams of this season. They are a fan-favorite team that may win this season by dominating other teams. Moreover, they are also a potential team to give hard times to other teams.
Gold Coast
| Total AFL Wins | 0 |
| Total AFL Finals | 0 |
| Players List 2023 | Ben Ainsworth Noah Anderson Jed Anderson Mac Andrew Rory Atkins Charlie Ballard Thomas Berry Connor Blakely Sandy Brock Connor Budarick Chris Burgess Levi Casboult Mabior Chol Sam Collins Charlie Constable Alex Davies Sam Day Brandon Ellis Jy Farrar Oskar Faulkhead Brayden Fiorini Sam Flanders Caleb Graham Elijah Hollands Nick Holman Bailey Humphrey Joel Jeffrey Lloyd Johnston Ben King Sean Lemmens Ben Long Jack Lukosius Darcy Macpherson Brodie McLaughlin Touk Miller Ned Moyle Hewago Oea Wil Powell Malcolm Rosas Matt Rowell Alex Sexton Jeremy Sharp Jake Stein David Swallow James Tsitas Bodhi Uwland Lachie Weller Jarrod Witts |
| Head Coach | Stuart Dew |
| Experience Rank | 7th |
Gold Coast is one of the less likely teams to put up a fight in this year’s 2023 AFL season as they have yet to win their first AFL title. Still, it will be fun to watch if the team can make their way to this season’s final series and make history by winning the season.
West Coast
| Total AFL Wins | 4 |
| Total AFL Finals | 7 |
| Players List 2023 | Liam Ryan Jake Waterman Andrew Gaff Dom Sheed Jayden Hunt Elliot Yeo Reuben Ginbey Elijah Hewett Nic Naitanui Sam Petrevski-Seton Tim Kelly Oscar Allen Luke Shuey Liam Duggan Jamie Cripps Luke Edwards Campbell Chesser Brady Hough Jeremy McGovern Jack Petruccelle Isiah Winder Alex Witherden Xavier O’Neill Shannon Hurn Zane Trew Jack Darling Tom Cole Luke Foley Harry Barnett Jamaine Jones Bailey Williams Rhett Bazzo Jack Williams Josh Rotham Connor West Tom Barrass Jordyn Baker Greg Clark Callum Jamieson Harry Edwards Tyrell Dewar Noah Long Coby Burgiel Jai Culley |
| Head Coach | Adam Simpson |
| Experience Rank | 9th |
West Coast can be amongst the finalists of this year’s AFL season 2023. However, it seems challenging for the team to win as there are teams that may eliminate them the hard way.
Hawthorn
| Total AFL Wins | 13 |
| Total AFL Finals | 19 |
| Players List 2023 | Harry Morrison Mitch Lewis Jai Newcombe Jarman Impey James Worpel James Sicily Ned Reeves Sam Frost Changkuoth Jiath Karl Amon Conor Nash Will Day Dylan Moore Jack Scrimshaw Blake Hardwick Lachlan Bramble Lloyd Meek Max Lynch Chad Wingard Cooper Stephens Luke Breust Jacob Koschitzke Denver Grainger-Barras Josh Ward Fergus Greene Ned Long Cam Mackenzie Jai Serong Sam Butler Connor Macdonald Finn Maginness Tyler Brockman Fionn O’Hara Josh Morris James Blanck Joshua Weddle Max Ramsden Emerson Jeka Seamus Mitchell Josh Bennetts Bailey Macdonald Jack O’Sullivan |
| Coach | Sam Mitchell |
| Experience Rank | 18th |
With the least experience in AFL, Hawthorn still managed to become one of the strongest AFL teams that have won 13 AFL titles and reached 19 AFL finals. The team has the potential to reach this year’s AFL final series.
FAQs
Why are there so many AFL teams in Melbourne?
The Australian Football League is linked to Melbourne as it was the first place to hold an AFL match in 1858. Ever since, Historical development, cultural significance, population density, strong local competition, and economic factors have played a significant role in developing multiple AFL teams in Melbourne.
What is the Number of Total players in each AFL team?
In the AFL 2023 season, each team must have 22 players active on the field. However, a team may consist of 36 players as its official listing of players and 38 players, including the rookies. However, in every game, there are 18 players limited to the outfield, and the other four as interchange players.
How many AFL teams are there in Australia?
Ever since the first AFL was held in Melbourne in 1896, there have always been 18 teams participating in a 24 weeks-round match.
Is an AFL Field Bigger than a Cricket Ground?
Although both games are played on an oval-shaped field. However, the playing field of an AFL ground is between 135-185 meters in length and 110-155 meters in width, which means it is definitely bigger than a cricket ground.
Conclusion
For the 2023 AFL season, there are a total of 18 teams playing in the Australian Football League. These teams are spread across various cities and states in Australia and are competing against each other during this season which will mostly run from March to September.
Furthermore, It is one of the most popular sports that is trending mostly in Australia. So, if you are a new AFL fan but don’t have the information on team members and AFL rules to enjoy the game with your friends and family, I hope this page has helped you a lot.
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