Isabelle Pritchard and Elle Bennetts celebrate a goal during the round six AFLW match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle at Cockburn ARC Oval, on September 19, 2026. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

SCORING remains at a record high two-thirds of the way through the 2026 NAB AFLW season.

While it's common to see a fairly noticeable drop-off in goals as the men's season progresses and defensive structures settle in, the women remain on track for a record-breaking year, with an average of 43.9 points per team, per match.

STATEMENT
AFLW continues to reach new heights as finals race heats up

After five rounds, average scores were sitting at 46.4, meaning only a minor drop-off has occurred.

Defensive coaches won't be happy, but teams are at their most efficient point of the 18-team era, with a score-per-inside-50 rate of 36.8 per cent.

AFLW games have 17-minute quarters, the last two minutes of which are played with time-on conditions.

Inside 50s (34.9) and overall scoring shots (13.0) per team are also sitting at highs, driven by uncontested marks (43.5 per team) and record transition rates – defensive half to inside 50s is at 20.5 per cent, while defensive 50 to inside 50 is at 13.2 per cent.

Orlagh Lally celebrates a goal during the round eight AFLW match between Fremantle and West Coast at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, on October 4, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

The trend in forward handball ball movement has continued throughout the season, while stoppages have fallen to a record low of 40.3 per match. Teams are more adept of moving the ball out of congestion, with secondary stoppage rates also sitting at its lowest ever rate of 16.9 per cent.

Despite the higher scores, the gap between the best and worst teams has closed on the scoreboard, with an average winning margin falling to 25.5 points.

There are four rounds remaining in the home and away season, and Brisbane in 14th position remains a mathematical possibility of making the top eight (there is no wildcard system in the AFLW), while just four points separates eighth to 13th.

14:15

W Daily: Must-win match for the Dogs, injury-riddled Demons has them ripe for the SUNS picking

Gemma Bastiani and Sarah Black have all the latest footy news on W Daily. Pride Round kicks off tonight, and we are taking a look at the all-important match ups for Round 9 of the AFLW season.

"The improvement we're seeing across the competition is reflected in both the quality of football and the closeness of the ladder, with clubs continuing to elevate the standard each year," AFL EGM of AFLW, health and football operations Laura Kane said.

"With four rounds remaining and so many teams still in finals contention, every result will matter as clubs chase a place in the top eight.

"We're looking forward to a thrilling finish to the home and away season and another exciting NAB AFLW Finals Series."