Reading Australian football scores and margins

What does 12.8 (80) mean?

The side scored 12 goals worth six points each and eight behinds worth one each. Against 11.13 (79), it leads by one point. Counting goals alone misses how close the game is.

Questions people ask

Does the favourite cover -1.5 in an 80-79 win?

It wins the match by one point. A -1.5 line requires at least a two-point margin, so that spread pick loses.

How many points go into the total?

Use the bracketed score for each side. In the example, 80 plus 79 gives 159, enough for over 158.5.

More sports: Rugby League, Rugby Union, American Football.