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he AFL has announced Google Australia has extended its partnership for another three seasons, until the end of 2022, with a commitment to both the AFL and AFLW.

The AFL announced the focus of the partnership will be to continue enhancing fan experiences by connecting fans to voting for the ‘Rebel Mark of the Week’, or showcasing the women’s competition, the AFLW, in ‘Great Sporting Land’.

Google director of marketing, Aisling Finch, said Google is “delighted” to continue supporting the AFL and Australian sporting fans with the extension of the partnership.

“We know that Aussies love their footy, and we see strong engagement from fans across our products,” Finch said.

“We’re delighted to extend our AFL partnership another three years, supporting both men’s and women’s, to deliver even more for fans,” she said.

AFL general manager of commercial, Kylie Rogers, said Google is helping not only Australians connect more with the league, but sports fans around the world.

“People all over the world are fanatical about Aussie football, and through our partnership we have been able to connect with our online community better than ever before,” Rogers said.

“Whether it’s through powerful storytelling via YouTube, fans having their say through Search voting or accessing all the latest AFL news and information through Google Nest, together we’re keeping fans informed, entertained and connected.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Google for the next three seasons,” she said.

With the extension of the partnership, the AFL and Google will begin exploring ways to implement the Google Cloud platform, aiming to better the fan experience and connection to the competition.

YouTube will host highlights from every game of the AFL, with AFL Media content including ‘Last Time I Cried’, and co-produced content, ‘Caden and Cookson’ across the next three seasons.

AFL head of women’s football, Nicole Livingstone, said Google joining the corporate partnership family of the women’s competition shows the value of the AFLW and the future of women’s sport.

“Google’s commitment to AFLW means our growing fanbase can connect with the NAB AFLW competition better than ever before,” Livingstone said.

“The support of a globally renowned brand really demonstrates the value of women’s football and signifies the movement it has created.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Google as a partner of the NAB AFLW competition and can’t wait to see the partnership come to life,” she said.