If the AFL Grand Final is a draw at the end of the regular playing time, the following process occurs:
- The goal umpires first confirm the scores are indeed tied.
- There is a six-minute break.
- Teams change ends.
- Then, two additional time periods are played, each lasting three minutes plus time on.
- At the end of the first additional period, the siren sounds, and teams immediately change ends without a break.
- The ball is bounced again to commence the second additional period.
- At the conclusion of these two three-minute halves, the team with the highest score is declared the winner.
- If the scores are still tied after these periods, the two-period extra time sequence repeats until a winner emerges.
During these additional periods, each club receives 10 interchange rotations per two three-minute periods, and leftover interchanges do not carry over if further extra time is played. This rule for extra time was introduced in 2016, replacing the previous system of replaying a drawn grand final the following week, which happened three times in history before that change. Thus, the AFL Grand Final will always be decided on the day through multiple periods of extra time until there is a victor.
