Australian Rules Football is more than a sport—it’s a national symbol. Celebrated for its athleticism, excitement, and passionate community following, AFL draws participants from local clubs to elite teams, uniting Australians through teamwork, endurance and the love of the game.
However, with its high speed, physical intensity, and frequent collisions, AFL also comes with a higher risk of injury. From muscle strains to concussions, the physical demands can take a toll on players at any level.
In this blog we explore the common injuries in AFL, how physiotherapists manage them, and how we at Hills Street Sports Medicine can support a full and lasting recovery. Our goal is to help you bounce back stronger and stay in the game you love.
What are the most common injuries in AFL and how are they treated?
Many of the common injuries in AFL include hamstring strains, knee ligament tears, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations and concussions. A physiotherapist will assess, manage pain and inflammation, restore movement and strength, and guide safe return‑to‑play protocols to maximise recovery and minimise re‑injury risk.
Lower Limb Injuries – Hamstrings, Knees & Ankles
AFL demands rapid acceleration, deceleration, kicking and high impact physical engagements. Due to this, lower‑limb injuries dominate. Recognising these common injuries in AFL helps us design targeted rehabilitation and prevention strategies.
- Hamstring strains: Often from sprinting or over‑striding as speed increases.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears / knee injuries: Occur during landing, pivoting or contact.
- Ankle sprains: Rolling or twisting the ankle on landing or during a tackle is common.
- Groin and adductor strains: Rapid directional changes and kicking motion increase this risk.
Addressing these lower‑limb injuries early with physiotherapy ensures we don’t just treat the symptom but restore mechanics, strength and movement control—key for your return to AFL at your best.
- Insight: A recent review reveals high ACL injury rates in Australian Rules Football, linking them to cutting, collisions, and neuromuscular deficits—highlighting prevention strategies and return-to-play challenges. → Read more
Upper Limb & Shoulder Injuries
Tackles, collisions and aerial contests place substantial stress on the upper body in AFL. Recognising these injuries early and integrating physiotherapy treatment is vital in getting athletes back to full function.
- Shoulder dislocations and AC joint injuries: Direct impacts or falls can cause instability or damage.
- Clavicle or humerus fractures / contusions: Direct hits can cause fractures or deep bruising needing structured rehab.
- Arm, wrist or hand sprains/fractures: Less dramatic but can impact skill execution and handling.
Physiotherapy for upper‑limb injuries focuses on restoring range, strength and stability, and coordinating full‑body movement to minimise compensatory injury in other areas.
- Insight: In the physically intense realm of the Australian Football League, even elite talent can be sidelined by misfortune. Read how multiple knee reconstructions and other severe setbacks upended some of the AFL’s brightest prospects. → Read here
Head, Neck & Overuse Injuries
Beyond the visible contact injuries, we also see concussion, overuse injuries and cumulative wear that affect AFL players significantly. The physical nature of AFL also means that head impacts, repetitive stress and over‑use can cause injuries that may go under‑recognised. Physiotherapists play a critical role in early diagnosis, monitoring and safe return‑to‑play.
- Concussions: Result from collisions or high‑impact hits; rigorous protocols needed for safe return.
- Overuse injuries: Including shin‑splints, stress fractures, osteitis pubis and groin overload from high volumes.
- Muscle strains in non‑impact zones: Calf, quadriceps and adductor strains from heavy load and fatigue.
By integrating load‑management, screening and movement‑analysis, physiotherapists help manage not just acute injuries but the subtle stresses that build up when playing AFL week after week.
- Insight: There has been a growing awareness around concussions in the AFL, which is well over-due. For info on their concussion guidelines, read here.
How Physiotherapists Treat Common Injuries in AFL
Now that we’ve covered the types of common injuries in AFL, let’s look at how physiotherapists assess and treat them to accelerate recovery and reduce recurrence. Effective management of AFL injuries involves prompt assessment, evidence‑based treatment, structured rehabilitation and tailored return‑to‑sport planning.
Physiotherapists guide you through each stage.
- Initial assessment & diagnosis: Identify the injury, assess severity, biomechanical factors and movement deficits.
- Pain‑ and inflammation‑management: Techniques such as manual therapy, soft‑tissue work, modalities like dry‑needling or electrotherapy.
- Progressive rehabilitation & loading: Strength, flexibility and neuromuscular control exercises specific to the sport demands.
- Movement‑analysis and correct mechanics: Fixing faulty technique, landing mechanics, strength imbalances to reduce re‑injury.
- Return‑to‑sport protocols: Criteria‑based progression, monitoring performance metrics, gradual reintegration into full contact.
By following a structured physiotherapy process, we ensure the injury is treated but also the underlying factors addressed—so you come back better, not just sooner.
The Final Whistle: Common Injuries in AFL
Learning about common injuries in AFL helps us understand how the demands of the sport create specific risk profiles. The good news is that with expert physiotherapy intervention we can treat these injuries effectively and reduce the risk of recurrence.
At Hills Street Sports Medicine we are committed to guiding you through assessment, rehab and return‑to‑sport with a tailored approach that focuses on your full recovery. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or aspiring elite player, our aim is to support you to stay strong, fit and injury‑resilient.
If you have any questions, please get in touch—we’d love to assist.
