The AFL is pleased to announce that Google Australia is extending its partnership for a further three seasons, until the end of 2022, in a commitment to both the women's and men's elite competitions.
The partnership will focus on continuing to enhance the fan experience by helping Aussies connect with the game they love; building on experiences like voting for a Michael Walters hanger for rebel Mark of the Week , or showcasing how women are changing the footy landscape in Great Sporting Land.
Google Director of Marketing, Aisling Finch said Google was delighted to support AFL and extend the partnership.
"We know that Aussies love their footy, and we see strong engagement from fans across our products. We're delighted to extend our AFL partnership another three years, supporting both men's and women's, to deliver even more for fans," said Finch.
AFL General Manager of Commercial, Kylie Rogers, said " people all over the world are fanatical about Aussie football, and through our partnership we have been able to connect with our online community better than ever before.
Whether it's through powerful storytelling via YouTube, fans having their say through Search voting or accessing all the latest AFL news and information through Google Nest, together we're keeping fans informed, entertained and connected.
We're thrilled to collaborate with Google for the next three seasons" said Rogers.
AFL Head of Women's Football, Nicole Livingstone, welcomes Google as the AFLW's newest partner.
"Google's commitment to AFLW means our growing fanbase can connect with the NAB AFLW Competition better than ever before. The support of a globally renowned brand really demonstrates the value of women's football and signifies the movement it has created.
"We're thrilled to welcome Google as a partner of the NAB AFLW Competition and can't wait to see the partnership come to life," said Livingstone.
In 2018, the partnership showed fans how they could use Google Nest devices to get immediate access to scores, news, trivia and more, all from the comfort of their home. Live scores, highlights and news were also added to the Google Search experience for fans.
In 2019, Google Search enabled fans to vote on a range of categories across the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, such as the Player of the Round and the Fan Awards. The season was then capped off with the emotive 'Season in Search' film, which showcased the moments that made Aussies search, cheer and come together.
And at the start this year, fans could vote on the rebel Mark of the Year & Coates Hire Goal of the Year nominees from each round of NAB AFLW play, as well as for the Best on Ground in the State of Origin Bushfire Appeal game.
With the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season underway, voting for the rebel Mark of the Year & Coates Hire Goal of the Year is back, with fans able to search 'AFL Vote' with Google from 5pm on a Monday afternoon, to have their say.
Further, YouTube will host highlights from every game, as well as AFL Media content such as 'Last Time I Cried', and co-produced content, Caden and Cookson. The AFL and Google will also be exploring ways Google Cloud can help supercharge the fan experience!
