ABSTRACT
The Australian Football League (AFL) has grown rapidly in recent years with increased media coverage, game attendances, number of teams participating, and revenue generated. This growth has heralded an era of increased professionalism as reflected in increased player payments and the time that players need to dedicate to playing at the elite level. In addition, this increased professionalism is evident through the employment of various personnel having specialist skills often in a full time or part time capacity. Professionals that have long been regarded as essential employees at the elite level of Australian Rules include medical practitioners, physiotherapists, fitness and conditioning experts, and dieticians. Another profession that has recently been absorbed into the AFL system is sport psychology.
