AFL 2015: Nine AFL rules you never knew existed
HOLDING the ball? That’s easy. What happens if you hit the roof or have poor personal hygiene? And try asking your mates how big the goalsquare is. NINE OBSCURE RULES
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IF YOU thought pushing, ducking and holding free kicks were divisive, try asking your mates for the length of the goalsquare.
Most will respond with 10m — and they’d be wrong.
According to the league’s comprehensive 45-page “Laws of Australian Football 2015” the accurate measurement is nine metres.
From ground dimensions to what constitutes a complete game, safeguards against umpires failing to turn up and even players’ toilet habits form the framework of our great game.
To celebrate the bombshell nine metre goalsquares, we’ve plucked out nine obscure AFL rules.
1. KICK-OFF LINE
Rule 3.6
The goal square is marked by drawing two lines at right angles to the goal line for a distance of nine metres from each goalpost. They’re connected at the top by the kick-off line.
2. HITTING THE ROOF
Rule 15.12.1
A free kick is awarded against a player who intentionally or carelessly kicks the football into the roof. Should a player “accidentally” hit the roof a ball up will take place directly under where contact was made. The roof at Etihad Stadium — currently the only AFL approved stadium with a roof — is 38m from ground level. Twenty20 star Aaron Finch has sent a cricket ball into the pylons supporting the roof but getting a footy up there would be a fair effort.
3. NO UMPIRE
Rule: 8.1.4
If the umpire doesn’t show up the competing teams can nominate an umpire and play out the game. However, the controlling body (AFL) will decide whether to accept the result.
4. TOSS OF THE COIN
Rule: 4.2
The captain of the away team always calls “the fall of the coin” and also gets to choose the match ball from two presented to him by the umpires before the game.
5. HYGIENE
Rule: 22.12
Each club must ensure that: (a) Players do not urinate (other than in a toilet) in or about any dressing rooms or on the ground prior to, during or immediately following the match; and (b) each of its players observe a high standard of personal hygiene.
6. HEAD COUNT
Rule: 5.5.3 and 5.5.4
A free kick and 50m penalty is awarded to the captain of the opposing team when a head count confirms there are more than the permitted number of players on the ground. Under subsection (c) the team with additional players on the ground will lose ALL points which it has scored in the match up until the count. However, under Rule 5.5.4, a free kick is paid against the team who calls for the count if the opposing team has the right number of players on the ground. A player can also be reported (for time wasting) if the umpire believes count was requested primarily to delay play.
7. INTERCHANGE TIME
Rule: 7.2 (c)
Clubs have three minutes to interchange a player(s) following approval from the interchange steward. A new approval must be sought should the allotted time lapse.
8. SEND OFF
Rule: 9.4.2
A match will be forfeited if a player goes rogue and refuses to leave the field of play after being issued with a warning, free kick and report.
9. INCOMPLETE MATCH
Rule: 10.6.2
Under subsection (b), a match will be considered a draw if play is stopped prior to halftime and cannot be restarted within a 30-minute period for reasons beyond the control of either team. In circumstances where play is stopped after halftime, the scores of the teams at the time of the stoppage shall be deemed to be final.
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