Essential elements of Australian Football League (AFL) Digital Scoreboard

🏟️ Essential Elements of an AFL Scoreboard:

1. Team Names or Abbreviations

   • Usually 3-letter abbreviations (e.g., COL for Collingwood, CAR for Carlton)

   • Can also display team logos or full names

2. Quarter Indicator

   • Shows which quarter is currently being played (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4)

3. Game Clock / Time Remaining

   • Counts up in AFL (e.g., from 0:00 to 20:00+ with time-on)

   • Usually resets at the start of each quarter

4. Score Breakdown per Team:

   • 🟢 Goals (G) – worth 6 points

   • 🟡 Behinds (B) – worth 1 point

   • 🔢 Total Score – calculated as:

     $$\text{Total}=(\text{Goals}\times 6)+\text{Behinds}$$

   • Example: 10.5 (65) means 10 goals, 5 behinds = 65 points

5. Total Score Summary

   • Clearly shows the running total next to each team

6. Match Status

   • “LIVE”, “HALF-TIME”, “FULL-TIME”, etc. (optional but common on digital boards or broadcasts)

Optional/Advanced Features:

• 🟠 Player Stats (in pro stadiums or TV overlays)

• 🎯 Leading Goal Scorers

• 🔄 Interchange or Sub Stats

• 🔔 Sound for Goal/Behind Events

• 📡 Wireless or App Control Integration

In an AFL scoreboard, the term “LIVE” is typically used to indicate that the match is currently in progress—meaning one of the four quarters is actively being played.

✅ When to Display “LIVE”:

• At the start of Q1 (first quarter) when the umpire bounces the ball.

• During Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 — as long as the game is ongoing.

• Even when the ball is out of bounds or during a short pause, it’s still considered LIVE.

❌ When NOT to Display “LIVE”:

• Before the game starts (display “PRE-GAME”, “WARM-UP”, or just the clock)

• During quarter-time, half-time, or three-quarter time breaks

• After the final siren – display “FULL TIME”, “RESULT”, or “FINAL SCORE”

• If there’s a weather delay or suspension, you might display “PAUSED” or “DELAYED”

🖥 Example Timeline for Display:

Let me know if you’re coding this logic into a scoreboard or want help designing an interface or automation for it!