Common AFL Injuries and Why They Happen

AFL injuries are common because the game mixes high-speed running, kicking, jumping, tackling, and sudden change of direction. Some AFL injuries happen in a moment (a tackle, a mark, or an awkward landing). Others build over weeks when training loads rise faster than recovery.

In most players, symptoms cluster around the knee, ankle, and hamstring. However, groin pain and calf pain also show up, especially during load spikes. If you play similar running-and-contact sports, compare patterns with soccer injuries and rugby injuries.

Incidence: AFL and AFLW injury reporting for the 2023 seasons recorded 34.9 and 12.3 new time-loss injuries per club per season, with lower-limb injuries prominent.⁵

Where Do Injuries Occur?

• Knee — deceleration, pivoting, landing from marks, and contact; lower limb injuries dominate in prospective cohorts.³
• ACL injury — planted foot with a sudden change of direction or an awkward landing in a contest.¹
• Ankle — tackling, landing on another foot, uneven steps, or repeated bracing demands.¹
• Hamstring strain — sprint efforts, high-speed running, and kicking volume, especially with running-load changes.²
• Calf strain — repeated accelerations, short recoveries, and rapid changes in running demands.²
• Groin strain — kicking loads plus cutting, bracing, and repeated change of direction.³
• Shoulder pain — falls, tackles, and ground contact during contests.³
• Neck pain and concussion — head-to-ground or head-to-body contact; concussion remains a key time-loss issue in Australian football surveillance.^1,4

Why This Sport Causes Injuries

AFL asks players to switch quickly between cruising, sprinting, braking, jumping, and contact. Therefore, tissues face repeated peaks in force, not just steady workload. Next, fatigue can reduce timing and control, which makes landings and late-quarter contests riskier.

Surface firmness, boots, and congested weeks can also change how well players cope. As a result, AFL injury risk often rises when training becomes “different” too quickly, rather than simply “hard”.

Who Gets Injured?

AFL injuries affect juniors, community players, and elite athletes. Risk often rises after a jump in running volume, sprint work, gym load, or match intensity. Prior injury also matters, particularly for hamstring strain, calf strain, and ankle sprain.

Even when pain feels “manageable”, performance can drop first. For example, you may lose speed, hesitate to cut, or avoid contact because confidence falls before symptoms spike.

Most Common AFL Injuries

• Hamstring strain
  Often occurs during sprinting or kicking, especially when running demands change quickly.
• Concussion
  May follow contact or head-to-ground impact and needs a conservative, stepwise return-to-play process.
• Calf strain
  Can flare with repeated accelerations, high running loads, and short turnarounds between sessions.
• Ankle sprain
  Common after tackles or landing, and may leave “giving way” if rehab stops too early.
• ACL injury
  Often involves a planted foot with a sudden change of direction or an awkward landing in a contest.
• Meniscus injury
  Can occur after twisting or contact, sometimes with catching, locking, or reduced knee confidence.

How Physiotherapy, EP & Massage Can Help

Physiotherapy for AFL injuries usually starts with a clear movement and load assessment. Your physiotherapist may assess sprint tolerance, landing control, cutting mechanics, strength, joint range, and match-task confidence. Then, you can follow a staged plan that fits symptoms and your training calendar, including a return-to-sport progression and steps to reduce re-injury risk.

Exercise physiology can support conditioning, strength development, and long-term capacity. Meanwhile, massage can support comfort and recovery, particularly when paired with an exercise plan and sensible load targets.

For broader guidance, see our sports injury physiotherapy hub.

When To See a Physiotherapist

• Pain that persists beyond a few sessions or keeps returning
• Swelling, bruising, or a sense of instability
• Reduced speed, jump power, or confidence to cut, tackle, or mark
• Symptoms that worsen with training load, or flare the next day
• Recurring hamstring, calf, groin, ankle, or knee symptoms
• Any suspected concussion or ongoing headache, fogginess, or balance change

Early assessment often leads to a safer and faster return to sport.

Injury Prevention Tips (AFL)

• Build running volume gradually, then add speed work in blocks
• Progress hamstring strength with both hip-dominant and knee-dominant patterns
• Train single-leg strength and trunk control for cutting and landing
• Practise deceleration and change-of-direction technique when fresh
• Use jump-and-land drills to improve knee alignment and control
• Manage contact load in training, especially in congested weeks
• Maintain calf capacity with calf raises and ankle stiffness work
• Prioritise sleep and recovery during pre-season and finals pushes

Returning Safely to AFL

Return-to-play works best when you increase exposure in steps. Monitor symptoms during training and also the next day. Then, progress running speed, cutting, jumping, and contact in a planned order. Fitness matters as well, because conditioning supports movement quality when fatigue hits.

FAQs

What are the most common AFL injuries?

Hamstring strains, concussion, calf strains, ankle sprains, and knee injuries commonly affect AFL players.

How do I know if my hamstring strain needs assessment?

Sharp pain, weakness, bruising, or a changed running stride suggests a more significant strain.

When should I worry about a knee injury after a tackle or landing?

Get assessed if your knee swells quickly, feels unstable, locks, or gives way.

What should I do if I suspect concussion?

Stop playing and follow medical advice. A stepwise return-to-play plan helps reduce risk while symptoms settle.

If AFL injuries are limiting your training, our physiotherapists can assess movement, guide load management, and support a safe return.

References

1. Bennett H, Fuller JT, DeBenedictis TA, et al. Ankle sprain, concussion, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are common and burdensome in sub-elite female Australian football players. J Sci Med Sport. 2024;27(8):539-544. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2024.05.008. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38839540/
2. Breed R, et al. The Relationship Between Running Load, Strength, Muscle Architecture and Hamstring Strain Injury Across Two Seasons of Elite Male Australian Football: A Prospective Cohort Study. Sports Med Open. 2025;11(1):146. doi:10.1186/s40798-025-00944-4. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41284168/
3. Farley JB, Keogh JWL, Woods CT, Milne N. Injury profiles of Australian football players across five, women’s and girls’ competition levels. J Sci Med Sport. 2022;25(1):58-63. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2021.08.016. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34600822/
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Sports injury in Australia: Australian rules football. Last updated 30 Jul 2025. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/sports-injury/sports-injury-in-australia/contents/featured-sports/australian-rules-football
5. Australian Football League. AFL and AFLW injury reports (2023 seasons). Published 5 Sep 2024. Available from: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1211880/afl-and-aflw-injury-reports