So you’re settling in to watch the Magpies, but the commentator starts talking about the “fixture,” “finals series,” and the “premiership season,” and you’re not quite sure how it all fits together. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The structure of the AFL season has its own unique language. This glossary is here to break down all the key terms, from the home-and-away rounds to the glory of grand final day, so you can follow every bounce, mark, and goal with confidence.
AFL Premiership Season
This is the official name for the entire AFL campaign. It encompasses both the regular home-and-away matches and the finals series, all culminating in the grand final. Every club, including Collingwood, begins the premiership season with the ultimate goal: winning the flag.
Home-and-Away Season
Also known as the regular season, this is a 23-round period where each of the 18 clubs plays 22 matches. The fixture is designed so teams play some opponents twice and others once. The results in these rounds determine which teams qualify for the finals.
The Fixture
This is the full schedule of matches for the entire premiership season, released before the year begins. It outlines who plays whom, when, and where. For the Magpie Army, marking the Anzac Day clash or a marquee match at the 'G in the fixture is a yearly ritual.
Bye
A scheduled week off for a team during the home-and-away season. Each club has one bye, which allows players to rest and recover from niggling injuries. The AFL also schedules a general bye weekend for all clubs mid-season.
Finals Series
The knockout tournament that follows the home-and-away season. It involves the top eight teams on the ladder competing over four weeks in a set bracket system to decide the two grand finalists. The atmosphere and pressure are immense.
Top Eight
Simply put, these are the teams that finish the home-and-away season in positions 1 through 8 on the ladder. Securing a spot in the top eight is the first crucial step for any team with premiership ambitions.
The Ladder
The live ranking table that updates after every round. Teams are ordered by points (four for a win, two for a draw), with percentage (points scored divided by points conceded) used as a tiebreaker. Watching the Pies climb the ladder is a weekly obsession for supporters.
Percentage
A critical statistic on the ladder, calculated by dividing a team’s total points scored by its points against, then multiplying by 100. A high percentage (like Collingwood often aims for) indicates a strong, dominant team and can be crucial for securing a top-four spot.
Top Four
Finishing in the top four positions on the ladder is a massive advantage. These teams earn a "double chance" in the finals and host a qualifying final in their first week of the finals series, often in front of a huge home crowd.
Double Chance
A major reward for finishing in the top four. It means if a team loses its first final (the qualifying final), it drops into a semi-final instead of being eliminated. It’s a safety net that keeps premiership dreams alive.
Qualifying Final
The first finals match for teams that finish in the top four. The winner advances directly to a preliminary final and gets a week off. The loser gets the double chance and plays in a semi-final the following week.
Elimination Final
A do-or-die match for teams that finish between 5th and 8th on the ladder. The winner advances to a semi-final, but the loser’s season is immediately over. There is no second chance here.
Semi-Final
The second week of the finals. It features the two losing qualifying final teams versus the two winning elimination final teams. Win and you move to the preliminary final; lose and your season ends.
Preliminary Final
Often called the "prelim," these are the two penultimate matches of the season, held on the final weekend before the grand final. The winners of these high-stakes games earn their spot on the last Saturday in September.
Grand Final
The biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar. It’s the championship decider between the two preliminary final winners, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Winning the grand final secures the AFL premiership, or the flag.
The 'G (Melbourne Cricket Ground)
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground is the traditional home of the grand final and hosts many of the biggest matches of the year, including Collingwood blockbusters. Its vast atmosphere on a big game day is unmatched.
Flag
The ultimate prize. A colloquial term for winning the AFL premiership, synonymous with a grand final win. Seeing the black and white stripes on the flag flying at Victoria Park is the dream of every player and supporter.
Brownlow Medal
The award given to the "fairest and best" player across the entire AFL home-and-away season, as voted by umpires. While it’s an individual honour, Magpies legends like Scott Pendlebury have come close to winning it.
Copeland Trophy
Collingwood’s internal award for its best and fairest player each season. Voted on by coaches, it’s a huge honour within the club, with past winners including modern-day stars like Darcy Moore and Scott Pendlebury.
Anzac Day Clash
One of the most revered fixtures on the AFL calendar. Played annually on April 25th between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG, it’s much more than a game; it’s a ceremony that honours the Anzac spirit.
Guernsey
The official word for a football jumper. Collingwood’s iconic guernsey, with its black and white stripes, is one of the most recognisable in sport. Players earn the right to wear it.
Captain
The on-field leader of the team. The captain, like Darcy Moore, works closely with Coach McRae, represents the club, and is a crucial link between the players, coaches, and the Magpie Army.
Coach
The senior coach is the head of the football department, responsible for game strategy, player development, and leading the team. Craig McRae, affectionately known as ‘Fly’, has brought a new, exciting game style to Collingwood.
Ruckman
A key position player who contests the centre bounce and stoppages. Their primary role is to tap the ball to advantage for midfielders like Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury, starting the chain of possession.
Midfielder
The engine-room players who spend most of their time around the ball. They are a mix of inside contested beasts and outside runners. Stars like Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury are elite midfielders who drive Collingwood’s success.
Forward Line
The attacking zone of the team. This is where the scoreboard pressure is applied, featuring a mix of tall key forwards, agile small forwards, and creative midfielders pushing forward to kick goals.
Defence
The defensive unit, or backline, tasked with stopping the opposition from scoring. Led by Darcy Moore, they work together to intercept marks, repel attacks, and launch counter-offensives from defensive 50.
Understanding these terms is your first step to diving deeper into the game. To learn more about the club that wears the black and white stripes, explore our guide on understanding Collingwood in the AFL. The season structure sets the stage for epic battles, especially in historic Collingwood rivalries like Essendon and Carlton. And once you know the flow of the game, you can master the details by understanding AFL umpire signals.
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