AFL to consider rule changes to add ‘exciting’ Irish flair to women’s competition
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EN: Use 'may + base verb' to express a possibility in the present or future.
The school may close early tomorrow.
EN: The Australian Football League (AFL) is Australia's premier professional Australian rules football competition. Its national women's league, AFLW, began in 2017 and frequently attracts players from Gaelic football due to similar physical demands and ball-handling skills.
EN: The adverb 'once' is used here before a past tense verb to mean 'formerly' or 'in the past', showing an action or state that happened before but no longer happens.
He once lived in London.
EN: Gaelic football is a traditional Irish team sport that combines elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball. Many Irish female players have successfully transitioned to the Australian Football League due to the similarities in athletic skills like kicking, catching, and running.
EN: Use 'must' + base verb to talk about rules or things that are necessary.
Drivers must stop at the red light.
EN: In Australian rules football (AFL), running with the ball is strictly limited. A player cannot run more than 15 metres without either bouncing the ball on the ground or touching it to the turf, making it a unique physical skill compared to rugby or soccer.
EN: Use the modal verb 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express ability or permission. When connecting two actions with 'and', both verbs share the modal verb 'can': 'can [do] ... and [kick] ...'.
In basketball, players can run and bounce the ball at the same time.
EN: In Gaelic football, a traditional Irish sport, a 'solo' is a unique and essential skill where a running player drops the ball onto their foot and kicks it back up into their own hands. This allows players to carry the ball legally without breaking the travel rules.
EN: Use the simple past tense (did) to talk about a completed action at a specific time in the past (On Friday).
Yesterday, she did her homework before dinner.
EN: In Gaelic football, a 'solo' is a fundamental skill where a running player drops the ball onto their foot and kicks it back up to their own hands. In Australian rules football (AFLW), players are normally required to bounce the ball every 15 metres, so performing a Gaelic solo is technically not permitted.
EN: Use the conjunction 'but' to connect two complete sentences showing a contrast or surprise between two ideas.
The test was difficult, but she passed it easily.
EN: In sports, an action can be technically 'illegal' (violating a league's rule) while still showcasing incredible skill. Here, Kearns executed a 'solo' from Gaelic football—a familiar habit for crossover athletes that thrilled fans even though it broke Australian football rules.
EN: Use the preposition 'against' after words like 'game', 'match', or 'play' to show who the opposing team or competitor is.
Our school won the match against the Tigers.
EN: Geelong Football Club (nicknamed the Cats) and the Western Bulldogs are two prominent, historic clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL and AFLW), both based in Victoria, Australia.
EN: Use 'is a [noun] of [something]' to describe someone's role or identity as part of a group or organization.
He is a member of the soccer team.
EN: In Australian sports governance, the women's league typically refers to AFLW (AFL Women's), which was established in 2017 to provide a professional platform for female Australian rules football players.
EN: Use 'be not allowed' to say that something is forbidden or against the rules. Adding 'still' emphasizes that a previous rule or state continues to apply.
Phones are still not allowed in the exam room.
EN: In Gaelic football, a 'solo' is a core skill where a running player drops the ball onto their foot and kicks it back into their hands. In Australian rules football, players must bounce the ball, making Rachel Kearns' solo an illegal yet exciting cross-sport innovation.
EN: The phrase 'have a look at' means to inspect, examine, or think about something. Using 'will' (contracted to 'll) expresses a promise or future intention.
I'll have a look at your homework later.
EN: In Australian English and British English, 'have a look at' is a very common, polite, and casual way to say 'review' or 'consider'. Officials often use it to sound approachable while keeping options open.
EN: Use the modal verb 'may' followed by a base verb to talk about possibilities in the present or future (meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe').
New rules may come to the game next season.
EN: In professional sports, rule innovations often migrate between closely related codes. The crossover between Australian rules football and Gaelic football has led to experimental rules, particularly as the women's league actively explores ways to make the sport more dynamic.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To examine, inspect, or consider something.
Modifications or alterations made to official regulations.
How well an athlete carries out sporting activities.
An action in a sport or game that violates the established rules.