Australian Rules
Turku Dockers
Football Club
Welcome to official page of Turku Dockers Australian Rules football club. What is AFL?
Want to join the team?
Check out training schedule below and come to next available training
You can also give us a heads-up that you are coming by sending email to turku.dockers@gmail.com
2026
Winter Training
We will be holding winter training in Rieskalähteen koulu (Jöllintie 3) from 20:00 to 21:00 from beginning of january till end of March.
Location:
Rieskalähteen koulu (Jöllintie 3)
Dates:
- 08.01.
- 22.01.
- 05.02.
- 19.02.
- 05.03.
- 19.03.
Time:
20:00 to 21:00
Newcomers are welcome! Just bring yourself and your indoor shoes!
Matches
Official schedule for FAFL season 2026 is not yet available.
More Events
Turku Dockers Finnish Premiership 2025!
18th August 2025
Turku Dockers faced Helsinki Heatseeker on 18th of August at Impivaara, Turku.
Both teams knew that the stakes for this match were high. This leads into an intense match between two high level AFL teams.
First quarter started out slowly. Everyone were trying to adapt to windy and rainy weather. As the 1st quarter went on the Dockers started with show explosive energy, winning the early center clearances to keep the ball deep in their attacking zone.
During the second and third quarters the Heatseekers tried to mount a comeback, Turku’s defensive line remained composed and structurally sound.
At last quarter, despite having a comfortable lead, the Dockers didn’t take their foot off the gas in the final term.
| Quarter | Dockers | Heatseekers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 (1.4) | — | 2 (0.2) |
| 2nd | 29 (4.5) | — | 9 (1.3) |
| 3rd | 51 (7.9) | — | 10 (1.4) |
| 4th | 63 (9.9) | — | 24 (3.6) |
Final score:
Turku Dockers 63 (9.9) - 24 (3.6) Helsinki Heatseekers
How to join?
Just come to the next available practice!
If you want to contact us in advance you can send as an email to turku.dockers@gmail.com
AFL Basic Rules
Australian rules football is played at oval-shaped field. On each end there's for goal posts. The game is played 18 versus 18, but in Finland we most often play matches 9v9.
Carrying the ball
Player are allowed to run and carry the ball but the ball must touch the ground approximately every 15 meters.
Kicking
In AFL, kicking is the most important skill and the primary way to move the ball and score. Unlike other sports where kicking might be a specialized role, every player on an AFL field must be a proficient kicker.
Hand balling
Handballing is the primary way players dispose of the ball over short distances. Because you aren't allowed to throw the ball in the AFL, the handball acts as the "pass" of the game, allowing for fast, clinical movement through heavy traffic.
Mark
A Mark is one of the unique and important features of AFL. It is essentially a "reward" making a clean catch from kick, giving the player a moment of safety to stop and plan their next move.Scoring a points
In AFL, you score a Goal (6 points) by kicking the ball untouched through the two tall center posts. A Behind (1 point) is awarded if the ball goes between a tall post and a shorter outer post, hits a goal post, or is touched by a player before crossing the line. These scores are combined to create the final total, such as 10.5 (65).
About Us
The Turku Dockers are one of the most successful and established Australian Rules Football clubs in Finland, competing in the Finland AFL (FAFL). The club was founded in 2008 by Australian expats Craig Primmer and Grant Siermans.
Turku Dockers is 9 times Finnish AFL Premier Champion
Because traditional cricket ovals are rare in Finland, the Dockers play a modified "European style." This involves 9 players on the field (instead of 18) and is usually played on soccer or American football fields.
While founded by Australians, the club is famous for its "homegrown" Finnish talent. Many of their star players learned the game entirely in Turku.
