The AFLW is speeding up and these numbers prove it

Scoring and speed is up across the AFLW in 2026. ( Getty Images: Kelly Defina )

Ask a regular punter down the street what they think of AFLW and there's a good chance you'll get some version of "it's improving every year".

While this is not intended to be dismissive of those pioneers who helped lay the groundwork for the league a decade later, there is clear evidence that games are faster, more competitive, and more entertaining than ever.

And yes, there are teams still dwelling down the bottom, struggling to grow alongside the rest of the competition, but there is increasing pressure on those clubs to make adjustments in order to catch up.

The numbers are stark. Average scores are the highest they've ever been as metrics across the competition indicate increasing strategic control, and a growing desire to move the ball to attack, rather than focus wholly on defending the opposition.

Over the opening seven rounds of the 2026 season, teams are kicking an average of 45.6 points per game. This is an increase of 4.6 points compared to the previous all-time high of 41.1 points struck last year.

Of the 18 clubs, only four have failed to average a higher score in 2026 compared to 2025: Brisbane (-9.8 points per game), North Melbourne (-5.2), Port Adelaide (-18.5), and St Kilda (-7.2).

Copyright for this text belongs to ABC Australia.