Australian Football Association of North America

2. The Rules of Australian Football
The Rules of Australian Football

• Huh? There are Rules?
• Playing Field and Equipment
  1. The Field
  2. Ground Sizes
  3. The Ball
• Players and Positions
  1. Player positions
  2. Purposes of player positions
• Player Uniforms
• The Umpires
• Scoring
• Starting and Restarting Play
• Out of Bounds
• Possession and Disposal of the Ball
• Shepherding
• Free Kicks
• Kick-in after behind
• Play On
• Relayed Free Kicks
• Why are umpires 'booed' off the ground?
• What is the crowd yelling?
• Reports
  1. The Tribunal
  2. Appeals (NEW:  Successful appeal)
  3. Trial by video
  4. Reportable incidents
  5. Criticism of umpires
  6. The Blood Rule
• Team lists and selection
  1. The List (NEW: Changes)
  2. The selectors
  3. Team selection
  4. What happens to players who aren't selected?
• Coaches and runners
• Trainers

"Huh? There are rules?"

Casual viewers of Aussie football often get a false impression of brutal anarchy from watching it, and some Aussies don't mind perpetuating that (Foster's Lager's TV definition of touch football: a series of "king hits" ending in the Eagles' Dean Kemp face down and unconscious). But there is a rule book. The rules have been evolving since 1858, and the end result is an athletic challenge like no other. Even in the modern era, the AFL sees fit to tinker with and modify the rules on an annual basis.  (Another good online reference to the rules is kick2kick.net  (We also the AFL rule book on this site here but we don't recommend this as a way for novices to understand the game because it's akin to trying to learn baseball by reading the official baseball rule book.  Great for officials, bad for novices.)


Measurements

All measurements and distances in Aussie Rules are given in meters (m). One meter = 1.1 yards approximately. To convert measurements from meters to yards just add 10 percent to the measurement.

Playing Field and Equipment

The Field

Unlike other games of football Aussie Rules is played on cricket ovals; thus, there are no standard dimensions for a football field (usually called "ground" or "paddock"). The field should be an oval between 135 and 185 meters in length and 110 and 155 meters in width. (The Melbourne Cricket Ground is considered an ideal surface; its dimensions are 160m length by 141m width.)  The boundary is marked with a white line drawn a few meters from the stands.

The goals are two sets of posts erected at the far ends of the oval; the boundary forms a straight line through the posts. The inner set of posts is the goal posts, 6.4 meters (7 yards) apart, and at least 6 meters tall. Two behind posts are set 6.4 meters from the inside of each goal post, and must be at least 3 meters tall. All posts must be padded to a height of 2 meters. This is a precautionary measure so players are not severely injured if they collide with one of the posts (it does happen). 

A goal square (actually a rectangle) extends 9 meters into the ground from the goal posts, and is 6.4 meters in width.

A radius is drawn on the oval 50 meters from each goal. This merely serves as a range finder; most AFL players can kick a goal from this line, and perhaps beyond.

The center circle is marked at the precise center of the oval, 3 meters in diameter, bisected by a lateral line extending 2 meters either side of the diameter, and dividing the field in half. A center square is centered on this, 45 meters on each side. These markings control the conduct of center bounces, as will be seen later.  

Ground Sizes

As we stated above, there is no standard size for an Aussie Rules ground. The table below shows the sizes of all grounds currently used by the AFL. Measurements are from goal to goal and boundary to boundary:


• Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) 147m x 136m
• Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium) - Melbourne 159m x 130m
• AAMI Stadium - Adelaide 165m x 133m
• Wollongabba Cricket Ground (the "Gabba") - Brisbane 160m x 139m
• Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) - Melbourne 160m x 141m
• Manuka Oval - Canberra 164m x 136m
• Subiaco - Perth 170m x 122m
• Aurora Stadium  - Launceston, Tasmania 165m x 135m
• Skilled Stadium (formerly Kardinia Park/Shell/Baytec Stadium) - Geelong 169m x 115m
• ANZ Stadium - Sydney 159m x 118m
  
  
  The Ball

The ball is an oval latex bladder covered with smooth leather, tanned for day use or colored visible yellow for night matches, and inflated to 69 kPa (10 lbs) pressure. It closely resembles a Rugby football.

Length 270 - 280 mm (10.62 - 11.02 inches), Diameter 167 - 173 mm (6.57 - 6.81 inches)
Circumference - 720 - 735 mm ( 28.34 - 28.94 inches) by 545 - 555 mm (21.46 - 21.85 inches), Approx. weight (Dry weight inflated ball.) 450 - 500 grams (15.88 - 17.65 ounces)

Before each match, the home club must submit two new balls to the umpires for their approval. The visiting club then selects one of them as the game ball. This ball is expected to be used throughout the game; it's tradition today, but was usually necessary in the early years. As in soccer, the ball comes back when it goes into the crowd.

Players and Positions

A team consists of 18 players; four interchange players (substitutes) are allowed on the bench. Due to the faster pace of today's game some coaches are pressing to have the number of interchange players raised to six. During the preseason competition, when the weather can be quite warm, a 6 man interchange is allowed. A team may play with as few as 14 players on the field, but playing "shorthanded" is almost unheard of in the AFL.

There are no restrictions as to how often players can be rotated on and off the bench. There is a designated interchange area from which players must enter and leave the ground with an interchange steward to ensure excess players do not enter the field of play. 

Early in 2008, an incident which saw an extra player being on the ground momentarily led the AFL to introduce stricter rules regarding the interchange. The new rules required clubs to submit a written request for a player to be interchanged with another. That request would be recorded by the interchange steward and would then have to be approved by the steward before the player could enter the field of play. Grounds also now have a designated square painted in yellow on the sidelines where the playerrs wait to enter the field of play. After the initial trial, many clubs complained that the new process was too slow and, on several occasions, left them one player short on the field while the steward completed the paperwork. The AFL then revised the rules and employed their official statistics company, Champion Data, to record all interchanges. The stewards, who have access to the information provided by Champion, no longer have to accept and approve interchanges nor do clubs have to await approval to interchange players. 

Clubs are required to submit information to the interchange steward: the numbers of the four players named to the bench; the numbers of the four players on the bench at the start of each term; the number of any player stretchered off due to injury; the number of any player who leaves the arena for any reason. Clubs will be fined if they fail to provide the necessary information to the steward and if a player leaves the interchange area prematurely even if he does not enter the field of play.

Player positions

Players are considered deployed in five lines of three across the oval, with the remaining three assigned to the ball.

The players in each line are usually designated as being in either the left, center or right position in each line, relative to the direction of attack:

Full Forwards:	Left Forward Pocket	Full Forward	Right Forward Pocket
Half Forwards:	Left Half Forward Flank	Center Half Forward	Right Half Forward Flank
Center Line:	Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Half Backs:	Left Half Back Flank	Center Half Back	Right Half Back Flank
Full Backs:	Left Back Pocket	Full Back	Right Back Pocket

The three assigned to the ball are referred to as "followers." Their positions are referred to as Ruckman, Rover and Ruck-Rover.

Although the players have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground when play is in progress; there is no "goalie" in Aussie Rules. They also move farther and faster as the years go by; during a match in 1998, Channel 7 put a high-tech tracking device on Kangaroos rover Jason McCartney(retired in 2002) to follow him through a game, and found he ran over 26,000 meters - more than a half-marathon.

Purposes of player positions

All players should contest the ball when its within their vicinity (unless playing to alternative coaching instructions). Other general purposes of player positions according to line are:

Forwards:	Attack the goal
	Trap the ball in the area
Half Forwards:	Attack the goal
	Set up scoring shots
	Trap the ball further forward - then hold
	Trap the ball in the area
Center Line:	Attack the goal
	Set up scoring shots
	Recover the ball from the backline
	Trap the ball further forward - then hold
	Trap the ball in the area
Half Backs:	Hold the ball in the area
	Attack - clear ball forwards
	Recover ball from backline
Backs:	Hold the ball in the area
	Attack - clear ball forwards

Player Uniforms

Each team wears jerseys (uniform shirts with "V" necks which used to lace up, and collars) in wool-blend fabric, shorts and knee socks of identical club colors and design. The jersey may either be sleeveless or long-sleeved, according to player preference. Each jersey bears a different oversized number on the back, to be visible from the stands; numbers have no relationship to position or function as they do in NFL football.

Teams wear white shorts when playing away from their home ground for easier identification. Many of the clubs have introduced separate away jersey, and the others are being encouraged to follow suit. The AFL is encouraging clubs to come up with alternate designs to avoid "color clashes" when two teams with similar jerseys (Richmond and Essendon, Collingwood and North Melbourne) play each other. New designs will also increase sales of jerseys to fans. The boots (football shoes) are usually low-cut turf shoes with studs or cleats, in designs and brands that would be familiar to players of other forms of football.

No body armor is worn. Mouth guards, soft protective headgear, thigh pads,  shin guards, and joint strappings (such as shoulders and ankles) are permitted. Other protection or medical appliances require prior approval; generally, you can't play in a cast or heavy knee braces as you can in the NFL, unless protective padding is added to reduce injury risks. Jewelry is prohibited as a health hazard; even plain wedding bands can inflict damage if they punch another player instead of the ball. Players with a penchant for body piercing, like now retired Carlton player Glenn Manton, must remove the adornments for a game.

The Umpires

There are three field umpires, who have full control of the game. Major responsibilities of the field umpires are to start play, award marks and free kicks, and generally enforce the rules of the game. In carrying out their responsibilities, the field umpires each control roughly one third of the ground. The umpire in the area where the ball is currently being disputed is the umpire in charge at any one time, however either of the other field umpires may bring attention to infringements of the rules that occur 'behind the play'. Field umpires may signal each other to transfer control.

The two boundary umpires judge when the ball is out of the playing area, and also return the ball to the center of the ground after a goal has been scored. The boundary umpires patrol one side of the ground each. They take positions at diagonally opposite corners of the center square when the ball is bounced in the center square at the start of each quarter or after a goal is scored. At the center bounces, the boundary umpires are responsible for detecting players who enter the center square illegally. If a score looks imminent, such as from a set kick by a player, a boundary umpire will sometimes position himself near the posts to act as an extra pair of eyes to assist the goal umpire.

The two goal umpires signal, and record all scores in a match. Two flags are waved to indicate a goal, and one flag is used to indicate a behind. The flags are waved to indicate the score to the other goal umpire; the opposite goal umpire is expected to echo the signal to verify its receipt. The goal umpire also indicates to the field umpire what the score is by indicating with one finger for a behind and two fingers (one out-stretched on each hand) for a goal. Before the goal umpire can indicate the score, the field umpire signals to him that no infringements have occurred ("all clear") so that a score may be added. The field umpire will also indicate what he or she thinks the score is by cupping one or both hands around the mouth when calling "all clear" - one hand for a point, two hands for a goal, or hands behind the back if unsure and leaving the decision sole to the goal umpire. This is why the goal umpire looks around sometimes before signaling a score. At other times, the "all clear" may be obvious, and the goal umpire will tap his own chest with his hand to take authority for himself.

Field umpires cannot alter a decision once it has been made, except by a further breach of the rules by a player or team official. Goal umpires can correct mistakes prior to restart of play. Goal umpires take precedence over boundary umpires in the vicinity of the goal area. The goal umpire indicates this to the boundary umpire by tapping his chest.

Umpire uniforms were white for many years. THese were modified to include a red and blue diagonal stripe and AFL logo on the front and blue numbers on the backs. Goal umpires became quite familiar even to the novice viewer in their white "lab coats" and hats, but those have long since been abandoned.

In 2005, the AFL altered the umpire uniforms so they would stand out against teams in similar colors. Umpires now wear green, orange, or yellow shirts and socks, and black shorts for field and boundary umpires and black slackes for the goal umpires. Goal umpires now also wear baseball caps to match the color of the day.

Starting and Restarting Play

A game is divided into 4 quarters of 20 minutes playing time. Time is kept off the field by two timekeepers. The scoreboard clock counts upward continuously from 0:00, and is entirely unofficial. When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, time is added on to the playing time of the quarter. This is referred to as 'time on'. The timekeepers activate a siren to signal the start and end of each quarter. The field umpires signal when they are ready to restart play so the timekeepers know to restart the clock.

Teams determine the initial choice of goal to kick to by coin toss. The winning captain usually chooses so that the wind will be behind his attackers for the first and third quarters. The teams change ends at the end of each quarter.

The field umpire in charge of the center bounce will raise the ball over his head as an indication to the timekeepers that he is ready to start play. He then bounces the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. This is known as the  "bouncedown." If ground conditions won't allow the ball to bounce, the umpire simply tosses the ball into the air as if it were a "jump ball." This is also done after a goal is kicked and to start each quarter or term.

At a center bounce, no player may enter the center circle or cross the center line into the opponent's side of the ground, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square, until after the ball has been bounced.

A maximum interval of 3 minutes is allowed between the first and second quarters for the teams to change ends, and five minutes are allowed between the third and fourth quarters. Half-time is a maximum of 20 minutes long, with players being allowed to leave the ground for not more than 15 minutes. If the game is being televised, the broadcaster may prevail upon the umpires to increase the length of the breaks to allow more time for advertising, as is common practice in American professional sports.

Coaches may not have direct access to the players during play. The coaches generally confine themselves to a box above the ground, the senior coach having access to the bench through a field telephone. A runner (the guys dressed in neon green or yellow warm ups) is used to relay instructions to the players.

After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above.

The other common situations when play is restarted are:

(a) After a behind has been scored. Any player of the defending team kicks the ball from within the kick-off 'square' in front of goal. Previously, the designated kicker had to wait until the goal umpire waved the flag. However, in 2006 a new rule was introduced so players no longer have to wait. The player must kick the ball out to restart play. You may observe, however, that there is no rule preventing him from kicking the ball to himself.) However, he must kick the ball before leaving the confines of the goalsquare or be penalized with a free kick to the opposition.

(b) After the ball has gone out of bounds (outside the boundary line). If the ball went over the boundary line on the fly as a result of a kick that was not touched, it is "out on the full", and the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot at which the ball went out. The closest player from the opposing team takes the free kick. The free kick may also be given if the umpire decides the ball has otherwise been put out of bounds deliberately. Otherwise, the boundary umpire restarts play by throwing the ball back over his head toward the center of the ground.

(c) When a pack of players prevents either team from gaining clear possession, or a player being tackled or held fails to dispose of the ball ("holding the ball;" see "Possession" below). The umpire bounces the ball at the spot where play came to a halt.

Each quarter runs for 20 minutes of playing time -- when the ball is in play. The ball is considered out of play in the following situations:

(a) A goal is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flags to when the ball is bounced.

(b) A behind is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flag to when the ball is kicked in.

(c) The ball goes out of bounds. Time is stopped from when the ball goes over the boundary line until the boundary umpire throws the ball back into play.

(d) Whenever the field umpire signals to the timekeepers that time is to be stopped by raising his arm and blowing his whistle.

Scoring

A ball kicked over the goal line between the two larger goal posts by an attacker (without being touched) is a goal and scores six points. The ball is returned to the center circle for a "ball-up." There is no possibility of an "own goal" as in soccer.

If the ball passes over the goal line between the behind posts by any other means, then it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. If the ball hits the goal post, a behind is scored. This is regardless of where the ball goes after hitting the goal post, e.g., back into the field of play, through the goals or whatever. The ball is kicked back into play from within the goal square, usually by the opposing fullback.

If the ball hits a behind post without bouncing it is deemed "out on the full" and the opposing team takes a free kick from next to the behind post. If the ball bounces and hits the behind post then the ball is thrown into play again by the boundary umpire from next to the behind post (see (b) under "Starting and Restarting Play" below). In either case, no points are scored.

The team scoring the most points wins the game. The match is considered drawn if points are equal.

If a finals match or the Grand Final ends in a draw, an estra 10 minutes is played with the sides swapping goal ends after 5 minutes. Regardless of who scores when, the full 10 minutes is played out, unlike estra innings in baseball in which whoever scores first wins the game.

Out of Bounds

A ball that has gone completely over the boundary line is considered out of bounds. If any portion of the ball is on or over the boundary line, the ball is still in play, as it is in soccer. A player can be over the boundary line and in possession of the ball without the ball being considered "out of bounds" if part of the ball is still in play.

Possession and Disposal of the Ball

A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent. However, the umpre has the discretionary power to tell the player to "get on with it" if he feels the player is taking too much time and is delaying play.

A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.

A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it to the ground once every 15 meters. (The distance is usually not strictly enforced, especially if the runner is challenged.)

A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball. (Tackling is permitted, but only between shoulders and knees.)

To handball correctly, a player must hold the ball in one hand and hit it with the clenched fist of the other hand. The hand holding must not move relative to the player's body. (Correct technique is sometimes more honored in the breach than in the observance.) Overhand passing is not permitted.

A mark is allowed when the ball is caught from a kick which has traveled a minimum distance of 15 meters, and the ball has traveled in the air without being touched by another player. (The ball usually doesn't have to be held for very long, especially in a physical marking contest; and yes, anything goes as long as both contestants "have eyes for the ball".) The player taking the mark may play on immediately, or go back and kick over the position where he took the mark. If he opts to play on, he is fair game to be tackled. If he opts to stay put and take a kick, no oppostion player can touch him.

Shepherding

A player may retard the movement of an opposition player towards that of the ball, however it may only be done within 5 meters of the ball. Shepherding allows the opposition player to be pushed in the chest or side, or for the player to place his body between the opposition and the ball (when the player himself is not in possession of the ball.) Comparable to screens in basketball or blocking in American Football.

Free Kicks

The general principles of the rules are as follows:

• Keep the ball moving.
• Any player who goes after the ball will get every opportunity to take it.
• Any player caught with the ball will get a reasonable chance to dispose of it.

Fouls stem from violations of these principles, and the penalty for most violations is a free kick.

Free kicks may be given against players either with or without the ball. A free kick is generally taken at the spot where the infringement occurred. (Exceptions see "Play On" and "Relayed Free Kicks" below.)

A free kick is given against the player in possession of the ball for the following infringements of the rules:

(a) Not disposing of the ball within a reasonable time when held by an opponent.

(b) Not disposing of the ball correctly by using a handball or a kick.

(c) Kicking the ball over the boundary line without it bouncing first or being touched by another player.

(d) Deliberately forcing or taking the ball over the boundary line.

(e) Running more than 15 meters without bouncing the ball or touching the ball on the ground.

(f) deliberately dragging the ball under him while on the ground in a pack situation

A free kick is given against any player who:

(a) Grabs the opponent with the ball above the shoulder or below the knees.

(b) Pushes an opponent in the back.

(c) Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.

(d) Charges an opponent.

(e) Interferes with an opponent attempting to mark in the air by punching or bumping.

(f) Shepherds an opponent when the ball is more than 5 meters away.

(g) Enters the center square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.

Following a free kick or mark, a 50 meter penalty is given against a player standing on the mark who:

(a) Refuses to stand on the mark at the point indicated by the umpire.

(b) Deliberately wastes time in returning the ball to the player who is to take the kick.

(c) Holds the player who is to take the kick thereby preventing play continuing.

(d) Runs over the mark before or as the ball is kicked. (Any player in the opposing team can give this penalty)

Kick-in after behind

If a ball is kicked back into play from the goal square, following the scoring of a behind, and subsequently goes "out of bounds" without being touched by a player of either team despite bouncing, it is treated as if having gone out of bounds on the full. The attacking team is awarded a free kick.

Play On

An umpire need not hold up play by awarding a free kick to a player who has been infringed. Where the player or a team-mate has possession and is in an advantageous position, the umpire calls 'play-on' and allows play to continue. This is referred to as 'paying the advantage'.

Relayed Free Kicks

A player who is infringed upon, immediately following the disposal of the ball, may have a fellow teammate take the free kick from the spot where the ball landed after being disposed of. This is at the umpires adjudication.

Why are umpires 'booed' off the ground?

In a large proportion of matches, whenever the umpires leave the field at half-time or the end of the match, the majority of the crowd will 'boo' them as they leave. Although more prevalent at games where the home team is losing (lost) and received controversial umpiring decisions against them, that doesn't explain this common action. Some propose that it comes from Australians' anti-authoritarian feelings as an ex-convict settlement that leads supporters to generally dislike umpires. While this theory sounds good from a sociological point of view the real truth of the matter, as any true footy supporter will tell you, is that all umpires are either blind, incompetent or biased, or any combination of these. Any free kick or penalty paid against a team earns the umpire abuse from one section of the crowd and applause from the rest. Definitely a 'no win' situation.

What is the crowd yelling?

In a case where there are a large number of supporters behind a team, they will try and influence the umpires decision by subtly, or in some cases not so subtly, bringing to attention any infringements of the rules. This advice is, of course, only offered by supporters of the team whose player is being infringed upon.

"MAN" - or "holding the man" not in possession of the ball

"HIGH" - when one of your players receives a high tackle

"BACK" - when one of your players is pushed in the back

"BALL" - when one of the opposition players is caught "holding the ball" or when the ball is locked up by a pack of players, in which case the fans are calling for a ball up.

"BULL..."- when the umpire misinterprets one of the above.

"WEED" - Adelaide Crows supporters shouted this out whenever Wayne Weideman had the footy. Weideman has since retired.

"WOOF" - Used by Carlton fans when Ang Christou gets a kick; mimics the sound made by a strong boot.. Christou retired several years ago.

"ROOOS" - Used in Sydney in support of Paul Roos. Retried in 1997 and now is senior coach of Sydney.

"BOOO" - Once widely used against former Carlton centerman Greg Williams. Retired 1997.

Reports

There is no send-off rule in the AFL, although one is provided for in the rules for any league wishing to implement one. Players can be 'reported' by umpires for serious breaches of the rules. The umpire is required to inform the player immediately of such a report, and the player must identify himself, if only by turning his back and showing his number. After the game, a report form is filled out and filed by the umpire. In years past, all reported players had to front the Tribunal for a hearing which resembled a trial with a player advocate and a "prosecutor". Clubs could bring in relavent witnesses in an attempt to have the player cleared or the charge reduced. If found guilty, the Tribunal Panel would pass sentence in the form of a suspension of 1 week or more, depending on the severity of the charge and offense.

In 2005, the AFL introduced a Match Review Panel (MRP) and a set criteria to determine penalties and suspensions to eliminate the need for Tribunal hearings. If players accept and have a clean record over a period of years, the penalty and suspension is reduced. If the player has a poor recent record, the penalty can be increased. A player may opt to take his case to the Tribunal to have the entire charge dismissed or argue it down to a lesser penalty. The MRP also reviews other incidents which may have not resulted in reports on match day, and have the authority to lay a charge or deem the incident to be not reportable.

Brawling, or melees as they are called in Aussie Rules, result in the players invovled being fined. A first offense is $1200 which is reduced to $900 if the player accepts. Future melee offenses result in increased fines.

The Tribunal

The Match Review Panel is composed of Chairman Peter Schwab, former Hawthorn Coach and former Umpire Director, former Carlton player Andrew McKay, and former AFL umpire Peter Carey. 

The Tribunal Chairman as of 2005 is a retired police officer, David Jones, and consists of a three man jury made up of former players.

Appeals

One result of the increasing consequence of Tribunal cases was the Board of Appeals introduced for the 1998 season. Clubs wishing to appeal a Tribunal decision must do so by 2:00 PM the following day, post a $10,000 appeal bond, and pay $5,000 to cover costs. The Board of Appeals will meet 'as soon as practicable' before those involved play their next matches, and will consider the case in its entirety. It can dispose of cases as it wishes, including stiffening already-imposed penalties, but is obliged to fully explain its decisions. The appeal bond is forfeit if an appeal fails or is found to be frivolous. If an appeal is successful, the club regains part of the appeal bond.

The panel includes a chairman, deputy chairman, a third member with legal qualifications, and another with football connections. The chairman is attorney Peter O'Callaghan, joined by Brian Bourke, Graham Sherry, John Schultz, Gavin Francis and Tony Nolan.

Players can be reported for:

a) willfully wasting time
b) unduly interfering with a player while he is kicking for goal
c) disputing the decision of an umpire
d) unduly interfering with, assaulting, or using abusive, threatening or insulting language or behavior towards an umpire during a match or within or without the oval on the day of the match
e) assaulting another player
f) using abusive, threatening, or insulting language, or other misconduct (recent reports of misconduct include biting, eye-gouging and spitting on an opponent)
g) shaking a goalpost when a player is preparing to kick for goal or when ball is in transit.
h) throwing an opponent after he has taken a mark or ball is out of play
i) violently pushing an opponent after he has disposed of the ball
j) intentionally tripping or kicking (or attempting to) an opponent. Tripping by hand is an infringement of the rules allowing a free kick or 50 meter penalty, but is not a reportable offense. Tripping with the leg is a reportable offense
k) striking (or attempting to) a player with the hand or arm
l) charging an opponent (as in basketball)
m) engaging in unduly rough play
n) remaining on the playing area out of proper uniform after being warned by the umpire
o) wearing unacceptable equipment - boot studs, rings, jewelry, surgical appliances, guards etc.

Criticism of Umpires

Players and team officials are not allowed to make public comments about umpiring standards or decisions. If they do so, they risk a fine from the League.

The Blood Rule

A player who is bleeding or who has blood on himself or his uniform is required to leave the ground, at the request of the umpire, and have the problem attended to. The player will not be allowed to return until the bleeding has ceased and any blood has been completely removed. Substitution is the option most commonly used.

An injured or bleeding player no longer has to use the interchange area to leave the ground as the league deemed this sometimes caused undue delays in the game. An injured or bleeding player is allowed to leave the ground via the nearest part of the boundary line. His replacement, however,  must still wait until the player has crossed the line and must enter the field via the interdhange area.

Previously, any player with even the slightest hint of blood or bleeding had to leave the ground. Several years ago, this rule was amended so that a player with a minor scratch that was not "actively and/or profusely bleeding" could be treated by a trainer on the ground.

The List

AFL clubs may carry up to 38 players under contract at any time. This "required list" are the only players from whom they can choose their weekly team. They are not allowed to select players not in this 38.

The senior list has, at the AFL's insistence, been reduced. The list was cut from the traditional 42 to 40 in 1999 and again to 38 for 2000. Due to the reduced list, the reserves competition eliminated after the end of the 1999 season (see 'What happens to players who aren't selected?' below).

Two new AFL proposals will partially make up the shortfall. A "long-term"  injury list was introduced in 1999. A player on this list must remain on it for a mimimum of 8 weekis and the club can "elevate" a rookie as a replacement. If and when the senior player returns, the rookie must be relegated back to the rookie list. Also, to make it easier for clubs to keep experienced players as mentors, the League now allows clubs to keep a maximum of two "veterans" (age 30 or over, with at least ten years service with the same club) and count only half their salary against the salary cap. New clubs will receive special dispensations enabling them to select veterans who have played with them through every season of their club's existence.

A "rookie list" of four to six first-year players may be retained for developmental purposes. Rookie listed players can be elevated to the senior list at any time during the season as long as the club has an open spot. Openings can occur as the result of sudden retirement of a senior player, a senior player being placed on a long-term injury list, or simply a club has not filled all its spots at the start of the year for one reason or another. Any players kept on the veterans' list count against rookie list numbers.

The Selectors

Almost all clubs establish a committee of selectors composed of three to five officials, which generally include the senior coach and the manager of football operations, and often include assistant coaches, captains and senior players. The selectors are given total responsibility for the side that runs out onto the oval for each match.

Team Selection

Clubs are required to name a list of 22 players with 2 emergencies by 8 PM (AEST) on the Thursday night before each match. Teams playing on Sunday (or later) are allowed to name an additional 4 players, from which their final 22 must be named on Saturday. (Teams playing in hot weather, such as late summer in Brisbane, are often allowed to keep 24 players.) The team that represents the club at game time must then consist of these players. Clubs that play players that weren't listed on Thursday night risk fines except in exceptional circumstances. This process allows the media to be informed of the players for that week, and supports subsidiary markets such as betting, etc.
The selectors also are allowed to name two "emergency" players, who can take the place of any player in the "starting 22" if someone has to pull out due to illness or injury. An emergency player can replace a starting player at any moment right up to the start of a game. One example of this happened several years ago when Hawk Nick Stone was called up literally at the last second to replace someone who injured himself during a pregame warm-up. He was still in his street clothes in the change rooms and had just scarfed down a rather hefty sandwich and barely had time to change and get on the ground before the start.

What happens to players who aren't selected?

These players go back to play in minor leagues. Players from West Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle and Port Adelaide go back to play with local clubs in their respective state competitions. Until the end of the 1999 season the Victorian clubs, and the Sydney Swans, had 'reserves' or 'seconds' teams. At the end of the 1999 season the 'reserves' or 'seconds' competition was eliminated. Clubs had several options: enter their own team in the VFL, forge an alliance with an existing VFL club, or have their players not selected for senior action spread over several teams. While Geelong entered a "stand alone" team, the other Victorian clubs have alliances with VFL sides.

Coaches and Runners

The role of the coach in Aussie Rules is different compared to other sports in that the coach is only able to address his players before the game, and then during the quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter-time intervals. There are no time-outs in Australian Rules. The coach usually sits in a box above the ground with his assistants, analyzing the game in progress. When a change in tactics or players is desired, the coach sends his orders (usually by picking up the field telephone) to the club's runner.

The runner is allowed on the ground during play to communicate to players and relay the coaches' instructions. You'll notice him because he's wearing the neon warm ups.). Runners often spend so much time on the ground that they assume the duties (if not the title) of assistant coaches, helping with team decision making. When on the ground during play, the runner must attempt to stay away from the football and out of play. The coach will also address the team at the quarter-time and three-quarter-time huddles, and when the team comes off the ground at half-time.

The AFL has cracked down on runners who spend an undue amount of time on the ground and appear to be "coaching". Runners deemed to have interfered with the progress of the game in such a manner, or touch or interfere with opposition players can be fined or suspended by the league.

Trainers

A team can nominate 5 trainers that are allowed on to the playing field to assist with injured players, or provide help (e.g. fluids) to players. Except in the case of an injury, the trainers are only allowed on the ground when there is a pause in the play (e.g. between a goal being scored and the restart of play.)

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