Australian Rules Football is one of the most physically demanding team sports in the world. Players cover 12 to 20 kilometres per game at varying intensities across a ground that can be over 180 metres long. The aerobic demands are exceptional, and the beep test is a standard fitness assessment tool throughout Australian football from school level to the AFL.
AFL Draft Combine Standards
The AFL draft combine includes the beep test as a core fitness assessment. It is one of the most scrutinised fitness measures in Australian sport, and draft combine scores are widely reported and discussed.
Top Draft Prospects (Midfielders)
Midfielders — the most aerobically demanding position — are expected to score at the higher end. Scores below level 13 have historically been a concern during selection.
Tall Forwards / Rucks (Draft)
Key position players have different positional demands. Scores below level 11 have historically drawn scrutiny during selection.
State / SANFL / VFL Midfielders
Expected for midfielders at state and semi-professional level.
State / SANFL / VFL Key Position
Expected for key position players at state and semi-professional level.
Why AFL Players Score So High
AFL players are among the highest beep test scores of any team sport athletes in the world, alongside elite basketball players and some rugby athletes. The reason is the extraordinary aerobic demands of the game: the size of the ground, the 18 players per side, the length of the game (80 minutes plus stoppages) and the high intensity nature of the contest all combine to demand elite aerobic capacity.
AFL teams invest heavily in aerobic fitness development. Beep test scores are tracked throughout the season and used to manage training loads. A player whose score drops significantly mid-season may have it flagged as an early indicator of fatigue or illness.
Training for AFL
The 6 week training plan on this site is applicable for AFL players, but the highest performing AFL athletes will need to extend it beyond 6 weeks and work into levels 14 and above. This requires building from a strong base — the plan assumes you start from somewhere around level 8 to 10.
For junior AFL players and those at community level, targeting level 10 to 12 is a realistic and meaningful training goal. The interval sessions that make up weeks 3 to 5 of the plan closely mirror the type of aerobic conditioning work that AFL clubs use with their own players.
For players specifically preparing for the draft combine, beep test scores should be the primary fitness focus for the 8 to 12 weeks before the combine. Training at and above your current maximum level is the core methodology.