Australian Rules Football (AFL) is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport combining long-distance running, jumping, tackling, and contested marking. The game’s unique mix of aerial contests, rapid directional changes, and heavy collisions results in a wide variety of injuries. Players often sustain ankle sprains, knee ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, or meniscus tears), and hamstring or quadriceps strains from repeated sprinting and sudden stops. Shoulder dislocations, AC joint injuries, and clavicle fractures can occur in tackles or mid-air contests. High-impact knocks cause wrist, hand, and forearm fractures. Overuse injuries, such as shin splints and groin strains, are common due to the sport’s high running loads.
Access Ortho in Brisbane and Ipswich frequently treats AFL-related injuries in players from children to adults and from beginners to seasoned competitors. Our team offers rapid assessment, rapid referral, and assessment of imaging, and we monitor rehabilitation programs to ensure strength, mobility, and confidence return. We aim to help players return to training and match play quickly and safely.
Common Musculoskeletal Injuries in AFL
- Ankle sprains include lateral ligament injuries and syndesmosis (high ankle) sprains caused by awkward landing or twisting during play.
- Knee ligament injuries – ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears from sudden pivots, changes in direction, or awkward landings.
- Hamstring strains – often from high-speed running or rapid acceleration.
- Quadriceps strains – from powerful kicking or sprinting efforts.
- Groin strains, including adductor muscle injuries, are caused by repeated twisting and kicking.
- Shoulder dislocations – from high-impact tackles or collisions in marking contests.
- AC joint injuries – from direct blows to the shoulder or when a fall onto the point of the shoulder occurs.
- Clavicle (collarbone) fractures – from heavy contact or falls.
- Wrist, hand, and forearm fractures – often from impact with the ball, ground, or another player.
- Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) – due to high running loads and repetitive stress.