Australian Football League: 17 March 2021
Australian Football League: 17 March 2021
REGULATIONS
17 March 2021
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Table of Contents
1. General 8
1.1 Definitions 8
1.2 Other Definitions 14
1.3 Interpretation 14
1.4 Reasonable & Severance 14
1.5 Interpretation and Amendment of Regulations 14
1.6 Delegation 15
1.7 Sanctions and Payment 15
1.8 Powers 15
2. Football Seasons and Competitions 16
2.1 AFL Season 16
2.2 All Matches Subject to Rules and Regulations of AFL 16
2.3 Inter-Club Practice Matches 16
2.4 Pre-Season Competition 16
2.5 Premiership Competition – Inclusive of Home and Away Matches 16
2.6 Finals Series 18
2.7 Venues for Finals Series Matches 18
2.8 Tie in Finals Series Matches 19
2.9 Ranking of Clubs Eliminated During Finals Series 20
2.10 State of Origin Matches 20
2.11 Exhibition or Promotional Match 21
2.12 Obligations of Clubs 21
3. Grounds and Venues 22
3.1 Lodge Documents 22
3.2 Ground Occupancy Agreement 22
3.3 Conditions of Grounds 22
3.4 Other Regulations 22
3.5 Inspection of Arena 22
4. Club Colours and Uniforms 24
4.1 Clubs and Uniforms 24
4.2 Obligation to Have Uniforms Available 24
4.3 Exclusive Right to Wear Uniform 24
4.4 Wearing of the Uniform 24
4.5 Obligation to Wear Correct Uniform and Items of Clothing 25
4.6 Other Apparel 25
4.7 Protective Equipment 25
4.8 Payment for Breach 27
5. AFL Logo and Sponsors’ Logos Appearing on Players’ Uniforms 28
5.1 General 28
5.2 Sanction for Non-Compliance 28
5.3 Advertising Rights Vest in AFL 28
5.4 AFL Approval of Sponsor Advertising 28
5.5 Sponsor Advertising on Club Guernseys 28
5.6 Obligation to Comply 29
5.7 Conditions and Variation 29
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22.1 Voting 89
22.2 Counting of Votes and Awarding of AFL Rising Star Award 89
22.3 Players Still Receive Nominations 90
22.4 Reportable Offence 90
22.5 Exception 90
22.6 Eligible Player 90
23. Coleman Medal 91
23.1 Winner 91
23.2 More than One winner 91
24. Norm Smith Medal/ANZAC Medal 92
24.1 Voting 92
24.2 Counting of Votes and Awarding of Norm Smith Medal/Anzac Medal 92
25. All Australian 93
25.1 All Australian Selection Committee 93
25.2 Meetings 93
25.3 Selection Criteria 93
25.4 All Australian Captain, Vice Captain, Coach and Umpire 94
26. Mark of the Year/Goal of the Year 95
26.1 AFL Mark/Goal of the Year 95
26.2 Counting of Votes and Awarding of AFL Mark/Goal of the Year 95
27. Eligibility for Awards 96
27.1 Eligibility for Awards 96
28. Dr. William. C. McClelland Trophy 97
28.1 Name & Award 97
28.2 Trophy 97
29. Broadcasting of AFL Spectacles 98
29.1 Introduction 98
29.2 Definitions 98
29.3 Broadcast Rights Vest in AFL 99
29.4 Rights Exclusive to AFL 99
29.5 AFL Clubs Not to Grant Rights 99
29.6 Ground Management Authority 99
29.7 Alternative Venue 100
29.8 Failure to Comply with Regulation 29.6 or 29.7 100
29.9 Equipment in Venues 100
29.10 Equipment in Venues - Assistance 101
30. AFL Broadcaster & Media Access Policy 102
30.1 Obligations 102
30.2 Cooperation With Media 102
30.3 Sanction 102
31. Stadium Roofs 104
31.1 Roof Opening 104
31.2 Contact with Roof 104
32. Delay in Commencement & Forfeiture Of Match 105
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1. General
1.1 Definitions
(c) enter media facilities within a venue at which a Match is played; and
Additional Time: for the purpose of Regulation 2.8, additional time shall consist of two
(2) periods of three (3) minutes duration (with time added on for stoppages in play in
the same manner as during ordinary time).
AFL Anti-Doping Code: the code regulating the administration and use of drugs by
Players, as amended from time to time by the Commission.
AFL Commercial Operations Guidelines: the guidelines of the AFL which describes
the commercial and marketing guidelines, including on-field policies of the AFL, as
published and amended by the AFL from time to time.
AFL Competition: the Matches conducted by or under the auspices of the AFL.
AFL Interchange Official: the person or persons appointed by the AFL from time to
time under these Regulations.
AFL Logo: the mark or logo of the AFL as amended from time to time by the
Commission.
AFL Match Manager: the person so appointed for a Match by the Executive General
Manager Football.
AFL Media Relations Policy: the policy as detailed in the AFL Commercial Operations
Guidelines.
AFL Official Statistician: means the statistician engaged by the AFL from time to time,
which as of the date of these Regulations is Champion Data.
AFL Official: means any employee, servant or agent of the AFL having official duties
in connection with a Match, the AFL Competition or the AFL Rules & Regulations.
AFL Rules: the AFL Rules as approved by the Commission from time to time.
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AFL Rules & Regulations: means any rule, regulation, code, agreement or guideline
made by the AFL that relates to the administration of the AFL Competition and includes
without limitation these AFL Regulations, the AFL Rules, the AFL-AFLPA Collective
Bargaining Agreement, AFL Standard Player Contracts, the AFL Articles of
Association, the AFL Memorandum of Association and the AFL-AFL Umpires’
Association Collective Agreement.
AFL Season: the period in each year determined by the AFL in which the Matches set
out in Regulation 2.1 are played.
All Australian Selector: means a person appointed as such by the Executive General
Manager Football.
Amendment to Official Team Sheet: the amendment to the Official Team Sheet more
particularly described in Regulation 12.3 and set out in Annexure 3.
Annexures: the annexures at the end and forming part of these Regulations.
Appeal Board: the Appeal Board established and constituted under the AFL Rules.
Arena: includes the Playing Surface and all of the area between the boundary line and
the perimeter fence or any break in the perimeter fence, including the Interchange
Bench.
Brownlow Medal: the medal awarded to the fairest and best Player in accordance with
Regulation 21.
Captain: the Player appointed by the Club as the captain of its Team.
Chief Executive Officer: in respect of the AFL, the person appointed to that position
by the Commission or their nominee.
Club: a football Club which has the right of representation on the AFL pursuant to the
Articles of Association of the AFL.
Club Interchange Steward: the person appointed by each Club or Team to facilitate
the interchange of Players during a Match.
Club Licence Agreement: an agreement between the Club and the AFL whereby the
Club is granted the right to field a Team in the AFL Competition.
Club Football Official: means any person under the control of the Club or engaged by
the Club on an ongoing basis to:
(a) work with, treat or assist a Player in relation to the Player’s participation in or
preparation for the AFL Competition; or
(b) undertake official duties for the Club in connection with the playing of a Match,
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including but not limited to coaches, football managers, trainers, runners, medical or
para-medical personnel, fitness/rehabilitation staff, player development managers, club
doctors and psychologists.
Coach or Senior Coach: a person appointed by a Club to coach the Team or Teams
of the Club.
Collective Bargaining Agreement: the agreement entered into between the AFL and
the AFLPA from time to time which governs the conditions of engagement of Players.
Contract of Service: without limiting the ordinary legal meaning thereof, a contract in
writing whereby a Player's personal services to play football are provided to the Club
and are subject to the control of the Club.
Emergency Player: the 23rd, 24th, 25th or 26th Players of a Team who may, in
accordance with these Regulations, be substituted for another Player selected in the
Team.
Executive General Manager Football: the person appointed to that position by the
Commission or their nominee.
Final Eight System: the system to determine the premier Club between those Clubs
competing in the Finals Series, as set out in Annexure 1.
Finals Series: the Matches played at the conclusion of the Home and Away Matches
to determine the premier Team.
Finals Series Match: any Match played as part of the Finals Series.
Further Additional time: for the purpose of Regulation 2.8, further additional time shall
consist of two (2) periods of three (3) minutes duration (with time added on for
stoppages in play in the same manner as during ordinary time).
Ground Management Authority: the person or entity with the management, control
or occupancy of the venue where an AFL Club plays AFL Matches designated as home
Matches by the AFL.
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Home and Away Matches: any Match for which Premiership Points are awarded or
potentially awarded, not being a Finals Series Match, Pre-Season Competition Match,
representative Match or Exhibition Match.
Illicit Drug Policy or IDP: the policy governing the use of illicit drugs by Players, as
amended from time to time.
Interchange: when a player leaves the Playing Surface through the Interchange Gates,
and the replacement player enters the Playing Surface.
Interchange Area: the area designated as the Interchange Area in the diagram in
Annexure 4 of these Regulation.
Interchange Cap: is the total number of Interchanges that a Club may make in the
course of a Match, being 75.
Interchange Gate: the area designated as the Interchange Gate in the diagram in
Annexure 4 of these Regulation.
Interchange Holding Area: the area designated as the Interchange Holding Area in
the diagram in Annexure 4 to these Regulations.
Interchange Player: the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd (and in the case of a Pre-Season
Match, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th) Players of a Team who are not on the field of play at
the commencement of a Match.
Laws of Australian Football: the “Laws of the Game” published by the AFL.
List: in respect of each Club, any or all of its Primary List, Rookie List, Long Term Injury
List or Veterans List.
Match: any football Match played between or directly or indirectly involving any Club
including without limitation any practice Match, trial Match, representative Match or
exhibition Match.
MCG Licence Agreement: means the licence agreement between the Melbourne
Cricket Ground Trust, the Melbourne Cricket Club and the AFL, dated 11 April 1990
(as amended or varied from time to time).
Media: all electronic and print media organisations and representatives thereof.
Medical Assessment: means the period when a Club Interchange Steward advises
the Interchange Official that a Player has left the Playing Surface for medical
assessment. Such Player may not return to the Playing Surface for twenty minutes
(excluding breaks).
Medical Substitute Player: means a Player who has been named as the Medical
Substitute Player on the Club’s Official Team Sheet and may be substituted for an
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Injured Player (within the meaning given to that term in Regulation 12.5(b)) in
accordance with the process set out in Regulation 12.5.
Officer or Officer of a Club: an Officer as defined in the Corporations Act and without
limitation shall include the President, Chairman, Vice President, Vice Chairman,
General Manager, Chief Executive, Football Manager, Coach, any Board or Committee
Member and any servant or agent who makes or participates in the making of decisions
that affect the whole, or a substantial part, of the business of the Club.
Official Team Sheet: the Team sheet more particularly described in Regulation 12 and
set out in Annexure 2.
Person: includes a Club, servant or agent of a Club, Player, Coach, assistant Coach
or Coaches, trainer, runner, Officer, Club Medical Officer or other medical staff,
employee or volunteer of a Club or any other person within the purview of these
Regulations or the AFL Rules.
Player: save as otherwise provided a person who is or has been included on a Club's
List, a person eligible to be so included, a person bound to a Club, a person within the
purview of these Regulations or a person who has nominated for any Draft.
Playing Surface: the field of play inside the boundary line, excluding the area between
the boundary line and the perimeter fence.
Premiership Competition: the competition comprising Home and Away Matches and
Finals Series.
Premiership Points: the points awarded to a Club during Home and Away Matches
as set out in Regulation 2.5(b).
Rising Star Award: the award presented to the Player adjudged the best young Player
in the AFL in accordance with the criteria for adjudicating this award.
(a) a reprimand; or
(b) a fine; or
(c) a suspension of any entitlement, right or privilege of a person or Club under the
AFL Rules & Regulations; or
(e) any order that withdraws, varies, revokes or limits any result, award, entitlement,
right or privilege of a person or Club under the AFL Rules & Regulations; or
Score Review System: the procedure and associated equipment that enables the
Score Reviewer to participate in a scoring consultation with the officiating Umpires.
Special Investigator: a person or persons from time to time designated as such by the
Commission.
Sponsor Advertising: for the purposes of Regulations 4 and 5, means the placement,
display or promotion of any name, trade mark, logo or advertising on any Player,
including without limitation any item worn or used by a Player before, during or after a
Match.
State of Origin Series: a series of Matches played between teams representing the
States and Territories of Australia.
Stretcher: a Stretcher shall include any device utilised for conveying or assisting in
conveying an injured person including without limitation a bed, frame, trolley, motorised
conveyance or other such similar device.
Team: a Team fielded by a Club in the AFL Competition or any other competition
conducted by the AFL, including all persons selected as Interchange Players and the
Medical Substitute Player in such Team.
Team Runner: an eligible person appointed to confer with Players whilst on the Playing
Surface, as appointed under Regulation 12.
Time Keeper: the person appointed by the Executive General Manager Football under
Regulation 10.
Trainer and Head Trainer: the persons appointed by a Club under Regulation 12.
Unit: the sum of $1,000.00 or such other amount as may from time to time be
prescribed by the Commission.
The expressions set out in the remainder of these Regulations shall have the meanings
prescribed within the particular Regulation.
1.3 Interpretation
(a) In the interpretation of these Regulations and the Annexures, unless there is
something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith:
(i) words importing the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and
vice versa;
(ii) words importing any gender shall be deemed to include the other gender;
(iii) words importing persons shall be deemed to include all bodies and
associations, corporate or unincorporated and vice versa;
(iv) headings are included for convenience only and shall not affect the
interpretation of these Regulations or any Annexure;
(vii) words, terms and phrases defined in the AFL Rules shall be given that
meaning if they are not otherwise defined in these Regulations; and
(viii) words, terms and phrases not otherwise defined shall be given their
ordinary meaning.
(b) A reference to the General Executive General Manager Football of the AFL shall
include such person and any other person or group of persons appointed from
time to time by the Executive General Manager Football of the AFL to administer
these Regulations.
(b) if any such provisions are found to be invalid but would be valid if some part
thereof were deleted such provisions shall apply with such modification as may
be necessary to make it valid and effective.
(a) The Commission shall interpret all provisions contained in these Regulations
and any interpretation or application by the Commission of any of the provisions
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contained in these Regulations shall be final and binding on every person bound
by these Regulations.
(b) The Commission may from time to time amend these Regulations or make such
further or other Regulations as it in its absolute discretion deems fit.
1.6 Delegation
The Commission may from time to time appoint a person or persons to exercise any of
the powers hereby conferred upon the Commission and in such case a reference to
the Commission contained in these Regulations shall be a reference to such person or
persons so appointed.
(a) Any Person fined in accordance with these Regulations shall, upon demand,
immediately pay to the AFL, as a liquidated sum, the amount of the fine.
(b) Where the amount shown at the foot of the provisions of these Regulations is
described as a “Maximum Sanction” or that a sanction up to a certain amount is
payable, a person empowered to impose a sanction under these Regulations
may determine that any amount not exceeding that amount shall be payable.
(c) If any Person fails to pay a fine or monetary sanction imposed in accordance
with these Regulations, such Person may be dealt with in any manner the
Commission or the Executive General Manager Football thinks fit.
1.8 Powers
Any power conferred on the Executive General Manager Football under these
Regulations may be exercised by the General Counsel.
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(a) The AFL Season shall encompass and include without limitation, each of the
following series and Matches:
(vi) any other Match played under the auspices of the AFL and where the
AFL Umpires officiate.
Every Match played during the AFL Season shall be played in accordance with the AFL
Rules, these Regulations, the Laws of Australian Football and any other determinations
or resolutions made from time to time by the Commission.
(a) Subject to Regulation 2.3(b), a Club or Player shall not play any game of football
against another Club, or a club or player not participating in the AFL
Competition, unless the game is scheduled by the AFL or the Club or Clubs, as
the case may be, obtain the prior written approval of the Executive General
Manager Football.
Sanction: Up to 50 Units
(b) The Commission may at any time impose, vary or revoke any conditions or
requirements applicable to the playing of a practice Match between two Clubs.
The AFL may conduct a Pre-Season Competition in such format as from time to time
determined by the Commission.
Commission, each Club shall play each other at the date, time and venue
specified in the fixture and shall observe and comply with any other
requirements set out in the fixture or otherwise imposed by the AFL.
(ii) Each first named Club in a fixture shall be deemed to be the home Club
and the second named Club shall be deemed to be the away Club.
(iii) The Commission may change the date, time and venue at which any
Match is scheduled to be played.
(A) four Premiership Points shall be awarded to the winner or, in the
case of a match that cannot be completed after half time, the team
with the highest score in accordance with Regulation 33.2(c);
The AFL shall maintain a Premiership Ladder that determines the position of
Clubs competing in the Premiership Competition. The ranking of Clubs on the
Premiership Ladder at the completion of the Home and Away Matches shall be
determined in accordance with the following procedure:
(i) the order of Clubs shall first be determined by the number of Premiership
Points accumulated by each Club, by placing in descending order the
Club with the highest accumulated Premiership Points through to the
Club with the lowest accumulated Premiership Points;
(iii) where two or more Clubs have accumulated the same total of
Premiership Points, the Club with the highest percentage as calculated
under Regulation 2.5(b)(i)(C) shall be placed first as between them;
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(iv) Where two or more Clubs at the completion of the Home and Away
Matches have accumulated the same Premiership Points and have the
same percentage, the following procedure shall apply:
(C) where two or more Clubs still remain tied, the position of the Clubs
shall be adjusted by lot conducted and drawn by the Executive
General Manager Football so that any Club drawn ahead of any
other Club shall be placed ahead of such other Club or Clubs.
(a) At the completion of the Home and Away Matches, the first eight Clubs on the
Final Premiership Ladder shall compete in the Finals Series under the Final
Eight System.
(b) The Commission may at any time impose, vary or revoke any conditions or
requirements applicable to the Finals Series or a Finals Series Match.
(a) General
(i) This Regulation 2.7 shall be read in conjunction with the Final Eight
System.
Unless the AFL is required to schedule an Elimination Final at the MCG in order
to satisfy its contractual obligations under the MCG Licence Agreement, the
Clubs that are placed fifth and sixth on the Final Premiership Ladder at the end
of the Home and Away Matches shall play the Elimination Final in which they
compete at a venue in the State where they are based unless otherwise
determined by the Commission.
Unless the AFL is required to schedule a Qualifying Final at the MCG in order
to satisfy its contractual obligations under the MCG Licence Agreement, the
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Clubs that are placed first and second on the Final Premiership Ladder at the
end of the Home and Away Matches shall play the Qualifying Final in which they
compete at a venue in the State where the relevant Club is based.
(d) Semi-Finals
Unless the AFL is required to schedule a Preliminary Final at the MCG in order
to satisfy its contractual obligations under the MCG Licence Agreement, the
Clubs which win the Qualifying Finals shall play the Preliminary Final in which
they next compete at a venue in the State where the relevant Club is based
unless otherwise determined by the Commission.
Unless otherwise determined by the Commission, the Grand Final shall at all
times be played at the MCG.
Should a tie occur in any Finals Series Match, the following procedure shall
apply to determine the winning Club:
(i) the goal Umpires shall immediately consult with each other to confirm
that the score of each Club is identical and if that is the case, the goal
Umpires shall signal to the Timekeepers that the Match is to proceed into
Additional Time;
(ii) after a six (6) minute rest period, (which shall commence from the time
the goal Umpires signal that the Match is to proceed into Additional
Time), Additional Time shall be played;
(iii) each Club shall change ends at the completion of ordinary time for the
first three (3) minute period (plus stoppages) of Additional Time and shall
change ends again after the first three (3) minute period without delay;
(iv) upon receiving the signal by the goal Umpire, the Time Keepers shall
sound the siren in accordance with the normal start of each quarter,
being:
(A) two minutes prior to the official start time – two times;
(B) one minute prior to the official start time – once; and
(v) except for the Coach and those persons permitted to enter the Playing
Surface under Regulation 12, no person shall enter the Playing Surface
during any period before or during the playing of Additional Time;
(vi) before the commencement of Additional Time, the Coach may enter the
Playing Surface and address the Players. The Coach must leave the
Playing Surface on or before the sound of the two sirens signifying that
two minutes remain before the commencement of Additional Time;
(vii) the Time Keepers shall sound the siren once to signify the end of each
period of Additional Time (until a field Umpire acknowledges that the
siren has been heard and brings play to an end);
(viii) at the conclusion of Additional Time, the Club which has scored the
highest points is the winner of the Match;
(ix) if the scores are still tied at the conclusion of Additional Time, Further
Additional Time will be played;
(x) each Club shall immediately change ends at the conclusion of Additional
Time for the first three (3) minute period (plus stoppages) of Further
Additional Time and shall change ends again after the first three (3)
minute period without delay. At the conclusion of the Further Additional
Time, the Club which has scored the highest points is the winner of the
match;
(xi) if the scores are still tied at the conclusion of Further Additional Time, the
process set out in Regulation 2.8(a)(x) will be repeated until, at the
conclusion of any repeated period of Further Additional Time, the winning
Club can be determined; and
(xii) during any period of Further Additional Time, there will be no breaks in
play for Coaches or Club Football Officials to access the Playing Area.
Each Team shall move into position and be ready to commence play at the start
of Additional Time. A Club whose Team is not ready to commence play shall
be subject to a sanction.
Sanction: Up to 20 Units
Where two Clubs are eliminated in the same round of the Finals Series, subject to any
sanctions imposed by the Commission under AFL Rule 17, to determine the position
of those Clubs on the Final Premiership Ladder the Club that was ranked higher on the
Premiership Ladder at the conclusion of the Home and Away Series, shall be placed
higher as between them.
The Commission may from time to time schedule a State of Origin Series on such terms
and conditions as it deems fit.
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A Club shall:
(a) play in any Match or re-scheduled Match at the date, time and venue specified
from time to time by the Commission; and
(b) comply with any conditions or requirements applicable to a Match imposed from
time to time by the Commission.
A Club which contravenes this Regulation shall be deemed to have engaged in conduct
prejudicial to the interests of the AFL and shall be dealt with by the Commission or the
Executive General Manager Football in such manner as the Commission or the
Executive General Manager Football in their absolute discretion think fit.
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Within 7 days of receiving a request from the AFL, a Club shall lodge with the AFL:
(a) a copy of the documents under which it uses or occupies any ground or venue
for its home Matches or training;
(b) any documents which varies or changes the basis under which a Club uses or
occupies such ground or venue; and
(c) any other information requested by the AFL in relation to such use or occupancy.
Where applicable, each Club shall use its best endeavours to ensure that its Ground
Management Authority enters into a ground occupancy agreement with the AFL in the
form prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
A Club shall comply or use its best endeavours to ensure that its Ground Management
Authority complies with any directions given by the AFL to maintain, replace or repair
any portion of the Arena or to otherwise undertake any work relating to the condition of
the Playing Surface or venue at which a Club trains or plays Matches.
Sanction: Up to 10 Units
(a) For the purposes of this Regulation, the panel shall comprise a representative
of the AFL, the Ground Management Authority, the AFLPA and the two Clubs
competing in the relevant Match.
(b) Before each Match, the panel has the right to:
(i) inspect the Arena at which a Match has been scheduled to determine
whether the condition of the Arena is likely to create or increase risk of
injuries to Players; and
(ii) having regard to the gravity and risk of injury and the burden of
eliminating the risk, recommend to the Ground Manager things to be
done (if applicable) to the Arena in order to eliminate or reduce the risks
of injuries to Players, which may include, but is not limited to, the
cancellation of any curtain raiser match scheduled to be played.
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(c) During or immediately following the inspection of an Arena, the panel shall
complete and lodge with the AFL an AFL Ground Inspection Report in the form
prescribed by the AFL.
(d) In addition to the inspection of an Arena by the panel, a Player may inspect the
Arena at the same time as the panel or at any other time before the Match.
(e) If, after inspecting the Arena, a Player reasonably believes that by reason of the
condition of the Arena there is an increased risk he or she will sustain an injury,
the Player may advise their Club and request that they be withdrawn from the
Match.
(ii) advise the Club’s Medical Officer and/or Coach if he or she has any pre-
existing injury which is likely to be adversely affected or aggravated by
reason of the condition of the Arena.
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(ii) the Club named first in a fixture of a Match shall be deemed to be the
home Club and the second named Club shall be deemed to be the away
Club; and
(iii) a home uniform means the uniform worn by a Club when it is the home
Club and the away uniform means the uniform which may, subject to the
direction of the AFL, be worn by a Club when it is the away Club.
(b) The AFL shall determine and may at any time vary the design, style, colour and
fabric of a uniform as well as any item of uniform to be worn during any Match.
Each Club shall maintain and have available for each of its Players a home uniform, an
away uniform and an alternative uniform for all Matches as approved by the AFL.
(a) Subject to this Regulation 4 and any specific directions given by the AFL, each
Club has the exclusive right to wear its uniforms as set out in this Regulation 4.
(b) No Club shall vary or attempt to vary its uniform without the prior written consent
of the Executive General Manager Football which they may grant or refuse in
their absolute discretion.
(a) The uniform to be worn by a Club during the Home and Away Matches shall be
as directed by the Executive General Manager Football or their appointee.
(b) The uniform to be worn by a Club during the Finals Series shall be as directed
by Executive General Manager Football or their appointee.
(i) the correct Player Uniform of that Player’s Club as prescribed by these
Regulations and guidelines of the AFL; and
(ii) such other items of clothing or apparel as may be determined by the AFL
when attending events or functions organised or conducted under the
auspices of the AFL.
(b) A Club shall ensure that its Players comply with Regulation 4.5(a).
(a) No Player shall wear any cap or hat during the course of a Match.
(b) Undershorts may be worn by a Player provided that the material is of a neutral
beige colour only, unless the Executive General Manager Football has approved
a Player to wear an alternative colour, and does not contain any Sponsor
Advertising.
(c) All bandages elasticised or otherwise shall be of soft material and neutral beige
coloured.
(d) Gloves approved by the Executive General Manager Football may be worn
provided that all Sponsor Advertising has been removed from the gloves. No
gloves other than those approved by the Executive General Manager Football
shall be worn during a Match.
(e) Armbands may be worn provided they are black in colour, and with no
sponsorship or branding unless otherwise approved by the AFL at its discretion.
(f) Any apparel that is attached to a Player’s boots as an addition to the boot must
first be approved by the AFL at its discretion.
(g) Approval must be sought from the Executive General Manager Football prior to
Players wearing wristbands during a Match.
(h) Hair bands worn during a Match must be thin, unobtrusive and black or Club
colour.
(j) Metal stops on boots are not permitted to be worn during a Match.
(a) For the purposes of this Regulation, Protective Equipment includes but is not
limited to:
(i) helmets;
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(vii) any other item from time to time designated as such by the Executive
General Manager Football.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Executive General Manager Football, thigh
pads or shin pads are not for the purposes of this Regulation Protective
Equipment and do not require approval under this Regulation.
(c) Thermoplastic guards with adequate padding do not require prior approval from
the AFL.
(d) A Player shall not wear or use Protective Equipment in any Match unless the
Executive General Manager Football has granted the Player approval to wear
or use the Protective Equipment (refer to Annexure 5).
(f) The Executive General Manager Football may issue guidelines concerning the
use and approval of Protective Equipment. Any guidelines issued by the
General Manager - Football Operations shall be directory in nature and any
decision of the Executive General Manager Football concerning the use or
approval of Protective Equipment shall not be invalid by reason of such
guidelines not being followed.
(g) A field Umpire may order from the Playing Surface a Player who:
(i) wears or uses Protective Equipment in a Match which has not been
approved by the Executive General Manager Football; or
(h) Where a Player is ordered from the Playing Surface under this Regulation:
(i) an Interchange Player may replace the Player ordered from the Playing
Surface; and
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(ii) the Player ordered from the Playing Surface may only re-enter the
Playing Surface if he or she is no longer wearing or using the Protective
Equipment or the Umpire is satisfied that the Protective Equipment is no
longer dangerous.
(i) Where a Player refuses to or does not immediately leave the Playing Surface
when ordered to do so by a field Umpire, the following shall apply:
(i) the field Umpire shall warn the Player that a free kick will be awarded
and that he or she may be reported if he or she does not leave the Playing
Surface;
(ii) if the Player still refuses to leave the Playing Surface, the field Umpire
shall award a free kick to the Player of the opposing Team at a point
nearest to where the warning was given or where the football is at the
time, whichever is the greatest penalty against the offending Player’s
Team; and
(A) the field Umpire shall report the Player for misconduct in failing to
follow a direction of an Umpire;
(B) the Match shall immediately end and the reported Player’s Team
shall forfeit the Match; and
Save where otherwise stated in this Regulation, where a Player contravenes or fails to
comply with any provisions contained in Regulation 4, the Player’s Club shall be liable
to a sanction.
(a) The Commission shall determine and may vary the style, design, colour,
position and size of any name, trade mark, logo or advertising appearing on any
Player, including without limitation any item worn or used by a Player in a Match.
Any determination or variation shall be notified by the AFL to the Clubs from
time to time.
(b) The Commission may impose, vary or revoke any condition or requirement
relating to the appearance, display or promotion of any name, trade mark, logo
or advertising appearing on any item worn or used by a Player in a Match.
A Club which does not comply with any determination, condition or requirement
imposed by the Commission shall be liable to a sanction.
(a) The right to engage in Sponsor Advertising is and shall be the absolute and
exclusive right of the AFL.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Regulation 5.3(a) items worn or used for
Sponsor Advertising include guernseys, shorts, socks, boots, dressings,
headbands, caps and gloves.
(a) A Club and any Player of a Club shall not engage in Sponsor Advertising unless
it first obtains the permission of the AFL under Regulation 5.4.
(b) A Club may apply to the AFL for permission to engage in Sponsor Advertising
at a Match.
(a) comply with their obligations under the AFL Commercial Operations Guidelines;
and
(b) use their best endeavours to assist the AFL to fully implement the AFL
Commercial Operations Guidelines.
The Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial of the AFL, or the person
nominated by the Chief Executive Officer, may at any time impose, vary or revoke any
conditions or requirements applicable to the AFL Commercial Operations Guidelines.
If a Club (or an officer of a Club) or Player does not comply with the Commercial
Operations Guidelines or this Regulation 5, the Commission, the Executive General
Manager Customer and Commercial, or the person nominated by the Chief Executive
Officer, may deal with any such matter in such manner as the Commission, Executive
General Manager Customer and Commercial, or the person nominated by the Chief
Executive Officer, in their absolute discretion thinks fit and without limiting their power
they may impose a monetary sanction of such amount as they think fit.
30
6. Numbers
6.1 Type, Size and Position of Numbers Determined by Commission
(a) The Executive General Manager Football shall from time to time determine the
type, size and position of numbers to be worn by Players, Umpires and Trainers
participating or otherwise involved in a Match.
(b) A Club shall ensure that the number displayed on the guernsey or item of
clothing worn by its Players and Trainers is of the type, size and at a position
determined from time to time by the Executive General Manager Football.
(a) A Club shall no later than three days before its first Match in each AFL Season,
advise the AFL in writing of the number allocated to each Player on its Lists.
(b) Subject to Regulation 6.3(c), each Player participating in a Match shall wear a
guernsey that displays the number allocated by his or her Club and advised to
the AFL under Regulation 6.2(a).
(a) Each Club shall ensure that a replacement guernsey is available for each Player
participating in a Match.
(d) Upon receiving notification from a Club under Regulation 6.3(c), the AFL
Interchange Official shall make an appropriate amendment to the Official Team
Sheet.
6.4 Trainers
A Club shall for each of its Trainers listed on its Official Team Sheet:
(b) ensure that the number allocated to each Trainer is displayed on the clothing
worn by the Trainer in a position determined by the Executive General Manager
Football; and
(c) ensure that clothing worn by each Trainer complies with the AFL Commercial
Operations Guidelines.
Each of the numbers allocated to Players and Trainers respectively shall be recorded
on the Official Team Sheet that is lodged with the AFL Interchange Official in
accordance with Regulation 12.
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A Club may erect a banner or run through for a Team entering the Arena at the
commencement of a Match provided that:
(a) any message displayed on any such banner or run through is not in the absolute
opinion of the AFL offensive or prejudicial to the interests or reputation of the
AFL or Australian football; and
(b) the size of the banner or run through does not exceed 144 square metres,
representing a maximum width of 18 metres and a maximum height of 8 metres.
(b) Where a member of a Club’s cheer squad or other person authorised by a Club
to erect or secure a banner or run through contravenes Regulation 7.3(a), the
Club shall be liable to a sanction.
9. Footballs
9.1 Approved Footballs
(a) The AFL may in its absolute discretion determine the brand and type of footballs
to be used during a pre Match warm-up and a Match.
(b) Unless otherwise decided by the Executive General Manager Football, the
football to be used during a pre Match warm-up and a Match is the TW Sherrin
Football.
Unless otherwise determined by the Executive General Manager Football, the following
procedure shall apply to the supply and selection of footballs for Home and Away
Matches and Matches played in the Pre-Season Competition:
(a) for day Matches commencing before 3.00pm, the home Club shall supply not
less than six red TW Sherrin Footballs and for all other Matches, not less than
six yellow TW Sherrin Footballs (Match Footballs);
(b) the home Club shall supply the Match Footballs to the field Umpires no later
than ninety minutes prior to the commencement of the Match;
(c) for all Pre-Season and Finals Series Matches commencing before 3.00pm the
AFL will supply not less than six red Match Footballs and for all other Pre-
Season and Finals Series Matches, not less than six yellow Match Footballs;
(d) the Executive General Manager Football may extend the use of red footballs
past 3pm during the period of daylight saving;
(e) the home Club may use the six (6) Match Footballs to ‘kick in’ at the Captain’s
run the day prior to the Match only;
(f) the six (6) Match Footballs are not to be used at the Captain’s run if it is raining;
and
(g) the field Umpires at their discretion can elect not to use the footballs if they are
not presented in a near new condition after use at the Captain’s run only (ie if
they have significant scuff marks, are out of shape and/or are waterlogged) in
which case the home Club must provide replacement new or near new balls.
If in the opinion of the field Umpire a Match Football at any time becomes unsuitable
for use, the field Umpire shall replace the Match Football.
34
(a) the time determined by the AFL to commence play in a Match; and
(b) the time determined by the AFL to recommence play after the First Quarter Time
Interval, the Half Time Interval and the Third Quarter Time Interval.
First Quarter Time Interval means the period between the end of the first quarter and
the beginning of the second quarter.
Half Time Interval means the period between the end of the second quarter and the
beginning of the third quarter.
Third Quarter Time Interval means the period between the end of the third quarter
and the commencement of the fourth quarter.
(a) The Executive General Manager Football shall appoint at least two persons to
act as Timekeepers for each Match.
(i) keep time of each quarter of a Match on the device provided or approved
by the Executive General Manager Football;
(ii) sound the siren in accordance with the procedures contained in this
Regulation; and
(iii) stop and restart the clock which is used for the timing of a Match as
required under the Laws of Australian Football.
Subject to the further provisions contained in this Regulation and any directions given
by the Executive General Manager Football, the Timekeepers shall sound the siren at
the times and on the number of occasions as set out in the following table:
Start of Match
(a) The Timekeeper shall sound the siren until a field Umpire acknowledges that
the siren has been heard and brings play to an end.
36
(b) In the event the field Umpires do not hear the siren, the Timekeeper may advise
the field Umpires of the end of the quarter via the Umpires communication
system.
At the sound of the two sirens two (2) minutes before the commencement of a Match,
the Captain of each Team shall report to the field Umpires in the centre circle for the
toss of the coin.
All Players must be in position and ready to commence play at the Official Starting
Time.
All Clubs must enter the playing arena at such times as notified by the AFL.
Players shall not kick (or project by any other means) a football into the crowd at an
AFL venue (including taking practice shots at goals or kicking footballs into the crowd
for Club promotion/marketing purposes) later than four (4) minutes prior to the
scheduled start of the Match or after the completion of the Match save for during the
course of a Match.
(a) A Club participating in a Pre-Season Match must lodge with the AFL a Team list
which contains the name and guernsey number of 30 Players, or any other
number of Players as advised by the Executive General Manager Football.
(b) Teams are not required to be listed in playing position, except for the team lists
for the Grand Final (if applicable), where the team must be listed with the 18
players in playing position as well as eight (8) Interchange Players and four (4)
Emergency Players.
(c) Unless otherwise determined by the Executive General Manager Football, the
Team list of a Club participating in a Pre-Season Match must be lodged by
5:45pm (AEDT) the day prior to that Pre-Season Match.
(a) A club participating in a Home and Away or Finals Series Match must lodge its
Team list with the AFL by 5.45pm AEDT (or AEST where Matches are being
played outside of daylight savings for Victoria) on the day prior to the scheduled
Match. The Team list must contain the name and guernsey number of 18
Players in playing position, four (4) Interchange Players and four (4) Emergency
Players.
(b) The Executive General Manager Football may in their absolute discretion vary
the time within which a Club is obliged to lodge its Team list with the AFL.
(a) In the case where a Player has been listed as a Player in the Team list and on
the day prior to the Match it becomes apparent that he or she is unable to play
due to injury, illness or personal circumstances, a Club may withdraw the Player
from the Team list and (if it elects to do so) replace the Player subject to the
following:
(i) the Club notifies the Executive General Manager Football, AFL Media
Manager and the Football Manager of the opposition Club of the Player
being withdrawn from the Team list and the new Player being included
as soon as possible on the day prior to the Match;
(A) elevate an Emergency Player listed in the Team list into the Team
and replace the elevated Emergency Player with a Player from
outside the Team list;
(B) include a Player not listed in the Team list directly into the named
Team;
(iii) the Player being withdrawn from the Team list is ineligible to play in any
match in any other competition during the equivalent round;
38
(iv) the Club must submit to the AFL written documentation from the Club
Medical Officer confirming the reason for the withdrawal of the Player.
(b) Other than as set out in Regulation 11.3(a), a Player who was not listed on the
Team list at the time it was lodged with the AFL under Regulation 11.1 or 11.2
is not permitted to be subsequently named as a Player, Emergency Player or
Medical Substitute Player on the Official Team Sheet and/or participate in a
Match unless prior approval is granted by the Executive General Manager
Football.
11.4 Sanctions
(a) Where a Club does not lodge its Team list with the AFL in the required form
and/or by the times prescribed in this Regulation 11.1 or 11.2, the Club shall be
liable to a sanction.
Sanction: Up to 10 Units.
(c) If a Player named on the Team list at the time it was lodged with the AFL is
replaced by a Player from outside this Team list, the Player replaced cannot
play in any other team in any other competition during the equivalent round.
(a) Each Club shall complete an Official Team Sheet online for each Match in which
the Club participates no later than 60 minutes prior to the time scheduled for the
commencement of a match unless otherwise specified by the Executive General
Manager Football.
(b) In the case where a Club is unable to submit its Official Team Sheet online in
accordance with Regulation 12.1(a), a representative of the Club should report
to the umpires’ room to submit the Official Team Sheet.
Sanction: Up to 10 Units
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Executive General Manager Football, the
Official Team Sheet shall list:
(iv) One (1) Medical Substitute Player, who must have been named as an
Emergency Player in the Team list submitted in accordance with
Regulation 11.
(b) The Executive General Manager Football may, having due regard to the playing
conditions and the health and safety of Players, increase the number of
Interchange Players which a Club can list on the Official Team Sheet.
(c) A Club must not list a Player under Regulation 12.2(a)(i) of this Regulation if it
is apparent that the Player will not play due to injury, illness or any other reason.
(d) A Club may list as one of the 22 Players in the Official Team Sheet under
Regulation 12.2(a)(i) a Player who was listed as an Emergency Player in the
Team list.
(e) The Medical Substitute Player and a Player who was listed on the Team list that
is not included as one of the 22 Players in the Official Team Sheet or who was
listed as an Emergency Player in the Official Team Sheet but does not
participate in the Match (other than a Player who was withdrawn pursuant to
Regulation 11.3 or 12.3) is permitted to play in another match in another
competition during the equivalent round.
(f) A Club must not list a person under Regulation 12.2(a)(ii) who is not a registered
Club Football Official without the prior approval of the AFL Match Manager.
(g) The 27 accredited Club Football Officials listed on the Official Team Sheet in
accordance with Regulation 12.2(a)(ii) will only be permitted to access the Arena
during a Match as follows:
(iii) the Club – General Manager Football Operations and the Club Senior
Coach will be permitted to move between the Coaches box and the
Interchange Bench during a Match and will be permitted to enter the
Playing Surface during the first quarter, half time and three quarter
intervals (and neither will be included in the number of Club Football
Officials for the purposes of Regulation 12.2(g)(i) and/or 12.2(g)(ii));
(iv) a maximum of four (4) Trainers each to be positioned at the point at which
the 50 metre arc joins the boundary line against the perimeter fence of
the Arena and may only enter the Playing Surface in accordance with
Regulation 12.14(b); and
(v) a maximum of four (4) additional Club Football Officials may only enter
the Arena during the first quarter, half time and three quarter time
40
intervals to assist with providing drinks to Players and the positioning the
windbreak.
(a) After a Club has submitted its Official Team Sheet 60 minutes prior to the
scheduled Match start time, it may subsequently replace a Player listed on that
Official Team Sheet only with an Emergency Player or the Medical Substitute
Player that was listed on the Official Team Sheet before the commencement of
play of the Match (as defined in the Laws of Australian Football), provided the
Player who is being replaced is unable to play because of injury, illness or
personal circumstances.
(b) The following conditions apply to the inclusion of an Emergency Player or the
Medical Substitute Player and an amendment to the Official Team Sheet:
(ii) if the Medical Substitute Player is the replacement Player, then the
amendment to the Official Team Sheet contemplated in Regulation
12.3(b)(i) must also include the Emergency Player that will replace the
Medical Substitute Player in the Official Team Sheet;
(iii) the following persons shall be notified by the AFL Match Manager of any
amendment to the Official Team Sheet:
(iv) the Player who has been replaced under this Regulation must
immediately leave the Arena and not sit on the Interchange Bench;
(v) the Club Medical Officer must supply a Medical Certificate to the AFL
certifying that the Player being replaced is unable to play due to injury or
illness or personal circumstances, to be completed and lodged with the
AFL on the first working day after the Match; and
(vi) the Player who has been replaced is ineligible to play in any match in any
other competition during the equivalent round of Matches.
(a) The Interchange Players who have been identified on the Official Team Sheet
may enter the Arena prior to the Match but must leave the Playing Surface after
41
the sound of two (2) sirens prior to the Official Starting Time of the Match.
(b) All Players must leave the Playing Surface through the area designated as the
club Interchange Gate.
(c) Once a Club has handed its Official Team Sheet to the AFL Interchange Official
in accordance with Regulation 12, the Club shall not change the starting line-up
of 18 Players by including an Interchange Player in the starting line-up prior to
the commencement of the Match.
(d) Play shall not commence until the Players as named on the Official Team Sheet
take their position on the Playing Surface or Interchange Bench as the case may
be.
(e) The Players nominated to the AFL Interchange Official as Interchange Players
prior to the commencement of the second, third and fourth quarter of the Match
cannot enter the Playing Surface until play has commenced or where approval
is granted by the AFL Match Manager due to exceptional circumstances.
(i) Each Club must name a Medical Substitute Player in their Official Team
Sheet from Players included as Emergency Players in the Team list
submitted in accordance with Regulation 11.
(ii) The Medical Substitute Player who has been identified on the Official
Team Sheet may enter the Arena prior to the Match but must leave the
Playing Surface after the sound of two (2) sirens prior to the Official
Starting Time of the Match.
(iii) The Medical Substitute Player must leave the Playing Surface through
the area designated as the club Interchange Gate.
(iv) The Medical Substitute Player must be seated at the back of the
Interchange Bench and may only enter the Playing Surface during the
Match in accordance with Regulation 12.5(b)(i) or during quarter, half-
time and three-quarter time breaks (and following the Match) in
accordance with Regulation 12.9(b)(v).
(v) The Medical Substitute Player must wear their official Club warm-up top
or jacket at all times when seated on the Interchange Bench.
(i) If a Player suffers an injury and leaves the Playing Surface at any point
during the Match (Injured Player), and the Club Medical Officer
determines in accordance with Regulations 35.1 and 35.2 that the Injured
Player is medically unfit to continue to participate in the Match and, due
to the nature of the injury, the Club Medical Officer reasonably
42
(A) the Club Interchange Steward must hand to the AFL Interchange
Official a completed substitution card, which must include the
guernsey number of the Injured Player and the Medical Substitute
Player and a brief description of the Match Ending Injury and be
signed by the Club Interchange Steward (Medical Substitution
Card);
(B) once the completed Medical Substitution Card has been handed
to the AFL Interchange Official, the Medical Substitute Player may
remove their official Club warm-up top or jacket and enter and exit
the Playing Surface in accordance with Regulation 12.9;
(C) the Injured Player must not take any further part in the Match and,
if they remain in the Arena, muAmest at all times for the duration
of the Match be seated at the back of the Interchange Bench,
except they will be permitted to enter the Playing Surface during
quarter, half-time and three-quarter time breaks (and following the
Match) in accordance with Regulation 12.9(b)(v) if their injury
permits, and wear their official Club warm-up top or jacket, except
if prevented from doing so due to nature of their injury;
(F) upon receipt of the Medical Substitution Card, and once the
Medical Substitute Player has entered the Playing Surface, the
AFL Interchange Official will hand the Medical Substitution Card
to the emergency field Umpire at the earliest opportunity;
(G) the emergency field Umpire will announce, and repeat, the details
of the substitution via the Umpire’s communication system.
(ii) An Injured Player who has been replaced by the Medical Substitute
Player is ineligible to play in any match in any other competition during
the equivalent round of Matches.
(iii) Nothing in this Regulation 12.5 will change the applicable wait times for
a Player to return to the Playing Surface following a Head Injury
Assessment or Medical Assessment or in accordance with the Stretcher
Rule and the Blood Rule as set out in these Regulations.
(iv) The Medical Substitute Player may only be used once to replace one (1)
injured Player.
43
(v) On or before the first working day after the Match, the Club Medical
Officer must provide a Medical Certificate to the AFL certifying that the
Injured Player replaced by the Medical Substitute Player sustained a
Match Ending Injury in the Match.
(c) Sanctions
(i) Any Medical Substitute Player who enters the Playing Surface, prior to
the AFL Interchange Official having received the completed Medical
Substitution Card, will be in breach of this Regulation 12.5, following
which the AFL Interchange Official will notify an Umpire who will then
award the opposing team a Free Kick and 50 metre penalty.
(ii) Any Injured Player who has been replaced by the Medical Substitute
Player and who re-enters the Playing Surface will be in breach of this
Regulation 12.5, following which the AFL Interchange Official will notify
an Umpire who will then award the opposing team a Free Kick, 50 metre
penalty and order the replaced Injured Player to immediately leave the
Playing Surface. Any Club or person who contravenes this Regulation
shall be liable for a sanction.
(iii) Any Medical Substitute Player or Injured Player who fails to wear their
official club warm-up top or jacket in accordance with this Regulation 12.5
will be liable to a sanction.
(iv) Without limiting the ability to impose sanctions under the AFL Rules, the
sanction for a breach of this Regulation 12.5 not specifically addressed
in this clause 12.5(c) will be determined in accordance with Regulation
12.21.
A Club must follow the procedure specified below for any Player undergoing a Head
Injury Assessment:
(a) The Club Medical Officer or Club Interchange Steward is to notify the AFL
Interchange Official that a player will undergo a Head Injury Assessment;
(b) Following notification that the Player will undergo a Head Injury Assessment,
the relevant Player cannot return to the Playing Surface for at least fifteen (15)
minutes (including breaks);
(c) Following the Player undergoing the Head Injury Assessment, the Club Medical
Officer or Club Interchange Steward is to advise the AFL Interchange Official
the outcome of the Head Injury Assessment except where it is impractical for
the Club Medical Officer or Club Interchange Steward to do so;
44
(d) On the first business day following the Match, the Club Medical Officer must
lodge with the AFL a completed Head Injury Assessment form (in the form
prescribed by the AFL from time to time) and, if required, a Standard Concussion
Assessment Tool (SCAT) form via the CSx concussion application;
(e) Without limiting Regulation 12.6(f), any Club in breach of this Regulation 12.5
will be liable to pay a sanction of up to 50 units; and
(i) the Umpire will award a free kick and a 50 metre penalty to the opposition
Club; and
(ii) the offending Player will be required to leave the Playing Surface for a
period of not less than the remainder of the time referred to in Regulation
12.6(b).
(a) prior to the commencement of a Match for the sole purpose of proceeding to the
area designated by the AFL; or
(b) prior to, during (including an interval between quarters), or at the completion of
a Match (following the final act of play), provided that person enters the Arena
for the sole purpose of fulfilling that person’s duties.
(a) A person listed on the Official Team Sheet may sit on the Interchange Bench
except for:
(i) the number of Club Football Officials seated on the Interchange Bench
will be subject to Regulation 12.2(g)(i);
(iv) any suspended Player or Players who are not listed on the Official Team
Sheet;
(v) injured Players, other than those Players injured during the course of a
Match or Players on the Club’s Long Term Injury List who have been
granted prior approval by the Executive General Manager Football; and
12.9 Interchange
(i) The Executive General Manager Football may appoint two (2) or more
Interchange Officials to officiate during a Match. The AFL Interchange
Official shall:
(i) Save where Law 7.3 of the Laws of Australian Football applies, the
following procedure shall apply to the Interchange of Players during a
Match:
(B) the Player to be replaced must leave the Playing Surface through
the Club Interchange Gate before the replacement Player may
enter the Playing Surface through the Club Interchange Gate; and
(C) the Player entering the Playing Surface must do so without delay.
Any Player who tactically delays his or her entry to the Playing
Surface may be subject to a financial sanction, to be imposed on
the relevant Club.
Sanction: up to 5 unit
(ii) A Team Official must advise the AFL Interchange Official of the following:
(A) the number of any Player that leaves the Arena during the course
of a Match prior to the Player leaving the Arena;
(B) the number of any Player that leaves the Playing Surface on a
Stretcher; and
46
(C) the numbers of the four (4) Interchange Players and one (1)
Medical Substitute Player at the start of each quarter prior to the
commencement of each quarter.
(iii) The AFL Interchange Official shall notify an Umpire who will then award
a Free Kick and a 50-metre penalty when:
(A) a Player leaving the Playing Surface does not exit through the
Interchange Area and is replaced by another Player who is
deemed by the emergency Umpire to be involved in play before
the breach is rectified;
(B) a replacement Player does not enter the Playing Surface through
the Interchange Area and who is deemed by the emergency
Umpire to be involved in play before the breach is rectified; or
(C) the replacement Player enters the Playing Surface and who is
deemed by the emergency Umpire to be involved in play prior to
the Player to be replaced leaving the Playing Surface.
(iv) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Regulation 12.9(b), the AFL
Interchange Official and/or an Umpire shall report the circumstances of
any breach of this Regulation 12.9(b) to the Executive General Manager
Football. The Executive General Manager Football may determine the
matter by way of fine, change of match result or any other sanction as it
deems appropriate, or may refer the matter to the Commission.
(v) Players and Club Officials must not enter the Playing Surface at the
conclusion of a quarter until play has ceased and in the case of a set
shot at goal, the kick has been taken.
(i) Unless otherwise outlined in these Regulations, a Club must not exceed
the Interchange Cap for each Pre-Season, Premiership Season and
Finals Series Match.
(C) Interchanges at quarter time, half time and three quarter time are
not included in the Interchange Cap.
47
(iii) The following events will not be included in the Interchange Cap:
(A) when a Player leaves the Playing Surface for a Head Injury
Assessment;
(B) when an Umpire requests that a player exit the Playing Surface
under the Blood Rule;
(C) when a Player exits the Playing Surface voluntarily due to active
bleeding, provided the Club Medical Officer advises the AFL
Interchange Official as soon as reasonably practicable and the
Interchange Official has sighted the Player with the active
bleeding;
(E) when an injured Player leaves the Playing Surface for a Medical
Assessment;
(iv) For the avoidance of doubt, should the Player who exited the Playing
Surface under 12.9(c)(iii) (A)-(F) and subsequently re-enters the Playing
Surface, the Interchange is counted in the Interchange Cap.
(v) Where there is a tie in a Finals Series Match and Additional Time is being
played, an Interchange Cap will reset to zero with each Club having a
new Interchange Cap of fifteen (15) for the total of both periods of
Additional Time.
(vi) Subject to Regulation 12.9(c)(iii), once the Interchange Cap has been
met no additional Interchanges may be made unless the Player has
exited the Playing Surface due to:
provided that the Player who exits the Playing Surface under any of these
conditions will not be permitted to return to the Playing Surface for 20
minutes.
(vii) A Player who is requested by an Umpire to exit the Playing Surface under
the Blood Rule when the Interchange Cap has been reached will be
permitted to Interchange with any Player and return to the Playing
48
(viii) On the first working day following the Match, the Club Medical Officer
must lodge with the AFL a written explanation relating to any Interchange
made in excess of the Interchange Cap.
(ix) A Medical Report in Schedule 1 Form 31 is required for all Stretcher Rule
and Medical Assessment Interchanges (in the case of a Head Injury
Assessment, a Head Injury Assessment form (in the form prescribed by
the AFL from time to time) and Standard Concussion Assessment Tool
(SCAT) form are also required).
(A) by exceeding the Interchange Cap will result in a free kick and a
50 metre penalty being awarded to the opposition Club, and the
Player entering the Playing Surface once the Interchange Cap is
reached will be ordered to immediately leave the Playing Surface
by the Umpire; and
(a) A Club shall ensure that the number of Players on the Playing Surface during
the progress of a Match shall not exceed the number permitted by the AFL.
(b) In addition to any action taken by the Umpire during the progress of the Match
or sanction applicable under the Laws of Australian Football, the following
sanction shall apply:
Except for Emergency Players, all Players listed on the Official Team Sheet (including
the Medical Substitute Player) may enter the Arena before the Match for the sole
purpose of performing an on field warm-up at the times and for the duration specified
by the AFL.
(a) The three (3) Emergency Players included in the Official Team Sheet shall not:
(i) enter the Arena after the Official Team Sheet has been lodged 60
minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the Match; and
(ii) sit on the Interchange Bench at any time throughout the Match.
49
(b) The three (3) Emergency Players included in the Official Team Sheet may enter
the Arena after the completion of the Match (after the second siren has
sounded).
(b) two (2) boards may be used at the same time provided that the total size of the
two (2) boards combined must not exceed 800mm x 600mm;
(d) Clubs can determine what the board is made from (corflute, magnetic
whiteboard, etc);
(e) Clubs can determine the size and colour of the numbers/symbols displayed on
the board;
(g) Boards can only be displayed by a Club Football Official with Arena access
accreditation within the interchange area.
12.14 Staff and Officials Permitted onto the Playing Surface during the Match
Only the following people may enter the Playing Surface during the progress of a
Match:
(a) a Team Runner may enter the Playing Surface following the goal umpire
signalling a goal for the sole purpose of conferring briefly with Players of his or
her Club. The Team Runner must be making his or her way off the Playing
Surface as the Field umpire bounces or throws the football up to recommence
play after a goal;
(b) the Trainers listed on the Official Team Sheet (excluding the Interchange Bench
Trainer) solely for the purpose of:
(iii) running drinks to a Player during a break in play noting Trainers are not
permitted to enter the Playing Arena for this purpose during live play
(e.g. Trainers may enter the Playing Surface while a Player is having a
shot at goal but must exit prior to play recommencing),
(c) the Club Medical Officer and Physiotherapist of the Club, for the purpose of
attending to an injured Player or Players.
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(a) The AFL may issue guidelines relating to the conduct of Team Runners from
time to time (Runners Guidelines). If a Team Runner does not comply with the
Runners Guidelines, the Team Runner and/or the Team Runners Club may be
liable to a sanction as set out in this Regulation 12.15.
(b) A Club may appoint one Team Runner. A person cannot be appointed a Team
Runner:
(i) at any time during the year in which they have been listed with or played
for a Club; or
(ii) if they are a member of the Club’s coaching staff involved in the Club’s
selection or match committee in the year of their intended appointment.
(c) A Club shall register its Team Runner with the AFL by providing written notice
to the Executive General Manager Football within one (1) business day of the
Team Runner’s appointment.
(e) Where the Team Runner is unable to act, a Club shall record the name of the
substituted Team Runner on the Official Team Sheet to be handed to the AFL
Interchange Official prior to the commencement of a Match.
12.16 Trainers
(a) A person may only be appointed as a Trainer to a Club if that person has:
(i) met the minimum standard of, and is currently accredited as, a Level One
Sports Trainer (Sports Medicine Australia) or obtained such other
qualification approved by the AFL in consultation with the AFL Medical
Officers Association; and
(i) A maximum of five (5) Trainers for each Club may participate in a Match.
(ii) One (1) Trainer must remain in the Interchange Area and may only enter
the Playing Surface to assist with a Stretcher (and will be included in the
number of Club Football Officials on the Interchange Bench for the
purposes of Regulation 12.2(g)(i)).
(i) the Trainers that participate in a Match are listed on the Official Team
Sheet; and
(ii) each Trainer is aware of and complies with any obligations imposed upon
the Trainer under these Regulations, the AFL Rules or any decision of or
guidelines issued by the AFL.
(d) All Trainers shall leave the Playing Surface immediately upon completing any of
the tasks outlined in this Regulation 12.16.
(i) become involved in the play or interrupt the flow of play during any Match,
including engaging in conduct which in any way provides an advantage
to their Club or engaging in conduct which in any way provides a
disadvantage to the opposing Club. Such conduct includes but is not
limited to wiping the football or the boot of a Player or providing a towel
to a Player for that purpose;
(ii) carry messages from the coaching staff to any of the Players competing
during the Match; or
(a) The Club Medical Officer and the Physiotherapist shall sit on the Interchange
Bench (and will be included in the number of Club Football Officials on the
Interchange Bench for the purposes of Regulation 12.2(g)(i)) and shall only
enter the Playing Surface via the Interchange Area apart from an emergency
situation.
(i) carry messages from the coaching staff to any of the Players during the
Match; or
(a) comply with guidelines issued by the AFL from time to time;
(b) include an AFL supplied vest indicating their respective function; and
(a) wear clothing that complies with the AFL Commercial Operations Guidelines;
(b) wear an AFL supplied vest indicating their respective function; and
(a) A Club shall not use and ensure that any person employed or otherwise
associated with the Club does not use any Communication Device on the
Playing Surface or between the Interchange Bench or Coaches box and a
Player or person on the Playing Surface. For the avoidance of doubt, Clubs may
use laptops, tablets or similar devices on the Playing Surface during breaks
between quarters for the purpose of displaying vision and statistics (including
GPS and physiological statistics) only. Mobile phones cannot be used at any
time including for the purposes of displaying vision and stats.
(b) A Club shall not without the prior permission of the Executive General Manager
Football (at their sole discretion) use and shall ensure that any person employed
or otherwise associated with the Club does not use without this permission GPS,
tracking, monitoring or other similar devices (Approved Wearable Device).
(c) A Club must ensure that all data and other information generated by or via an
Approved Wearable Device used by a person employed or otherwise associated
with the Club during a Match is made available to AFL on a live or near live basis
(and in all instances at a time no later than when any data or information is first
made available to the Club or any other person), at a location and in a format
53
specified by AFL and at no cost to AFL, for use by AFL and its licensees
(including other Clubs).
12.21 Sanctions
If in the opinion of an Umpire, the AFL Match Manager or the Executive General
Manager Football, a Club or person contravenes this Regulation 12, the Club shall be
liable to a sanction as specified at the foot of the relevant provision, or as determined
by the Executive General Manager Football up to the maximum amounts set out
below:-
(b) Without limitation and by way of example only, this Regulation shall:
(B) recording, reading and acknowledging the Player’s name for any
awards of the AFL;
(A) completing and lodging with the AFL the Club’s Official Team
Sheet;
(B) advising the AFL or the media of the Players who have been
selected to play for the Club in any Match;
(D) recording, reading and acknowledging the Player’s name for any
awards of the Club;
(F) recording the Player’s name on any List maintained by the Club;
and
Sanction: Up to 50 units
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Any person who neglects or refuses to attend any meeting to which that person has
been requested to attend by the AFL, save where the person requested is unable to
attend due to circumstances beyond the control of such person, shall be deemed to
have been involved in conduct unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL
and shall be dealt with by the Commission in such manner as the Commission in its
absolute discretion thinks fit.
14.2 Meeting
For the purposes of this Regulation, a meeting shall include but not be limited to:
(a) the attendance of any person before the Commission, any Commissioner, the
Investigations Manager, Special Investigator, Executive General Manager
Football, AFL Medical Officer, Arbitrator, Tribunal, Appeal Board or any other
person or persons appointed by the Commission or the Executive General
Manager Football to administer or perform any act or function under these
Regulations, the AFL Rules or the Memorandum and Articles of Association of
the AFL; and
(b) any event or function conducted by or under the auspices of the AFL including
without limitation the Brownlow Medal Presentation, Rising Star Award, All
Australian Awards, Season Launch Function, Hall of Fame Function and Grand
Final Parade.
For the purposes of this Regulation, any request to a person to attend a meeting, as
defined in this Regulation, shall be made in writing.
Each Club must ensure that it arranges for its employees, servants or agents to
undertake any and all education sessions relating to the AFL Rules & Regulations as
directed by AFL. A Club shall be liable to a sanction for failure to comply with this
Regulation.
Sanction: up to 20 units.
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Any person subject to these Regulations or AFL Rules, shall not make any public
comment about an Umpire or a decision made by an Umpire. Where a person
contravenes this Regulation, the person’s Club shall be liable to a sanction:
(b) Any team address shall be given outside the centre square.
Where a person contravenes this Regulation, the person’s Club shall be liable to a
sanction:
15.3 Scoring
(a) the Executive General Manager Football may appoint any person or persons to:
(b) the Official Scorer(s) may record the score in accordance with the Laws
provided they may at their discretion disregard any error in the procedure for
signalling a score set out in Law 16.3; and
(c) subject to the general powers of the Commission or Executive General Manager
Football under any other AFL Rule & Regulation, the score recorded by the
Official Scorer(s) shall determine the result of a Match.
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(a) Any reference to two AFL years shall unless otherwise stated, refer to years in
which the Player was a registered AFL Player.
(b) In Appendix 1:
(A) a round of both the Pre-Season Competition and Home and Away
series of Matches, set out in the annual fixture of Matches,
published from time to time by the AFL;
(c) Where a Player lodges a Notice of Early Plea or where a Player pleads guilty to
a Reportable Offence in accordance with these Regulations, that notification or
Plea and any record of proceedings and finding by the Tribunal, irrespective of
how a Player pleaded, shall apply only for the purposes of these Regulations
and for no other purpose. For clarification and the avoidance of doubt:
(i) a Notice of Early Plea or plea of guilty to a Reportable Offence shall not
be taken as an admission of liability for the purposes of any proceedings
other than those prescribed under these Regulations;
(ii) in respect of and for the purpose of any such other proceedings,
lodgement of a Notice of Early Plea or plea of guilty to a Reportable
Offence in accordance with these Regulations shall not be deemed to
include an express acceptance of liability; and
(iii) any evidence presented before the Tribunal including without limitation
any statements made and any transcript of proceedings, as well as any
finding by the Tribunal, shall not be relied upon in any such other
proceedings as evidence of liability.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of this Regulation 16, unless a
Reportable Offence concerns an incident relating to an AFL appointed Umpire,
a Match does not include an intra-Club practice match, with any incident arising
from any intra Club practice match to be dealt with by the relevant Club.
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The Executive General Manager Football may from time to time appoint a person as
the Match Review Officer (Match Review Officer).
16.3 Qualifications
Save and except where the Executive General Manager Football otherwise
determines, a person shall not be appointed as the Match Review Officer if that person:
If for any period and for any reason any person acting as the Match Review Officer is
absent or unable to attend to their duty, the Executive General Manager Football may
appoint a person who in their opinion is a suitable replacement.
16.5 Resignation
The Match Review Officer may resign by giving notice in writing to the Executive
General Manager Football.
16.6 Removal
The Executive General Manager Football may remove the Match Review Officer at any
time in their absolute discretion.
16.7 Secretary
The Executive General Manager Football shall appoint a Secretary to the Match
Review Officer (Match Review Secretary).
(c) assist the Match Review Officer in the efficient and proper performance of the
obligations and duties set out in this Regulation 16; and
(d) perform other functions as directed from time to time by the Executive General
Manager Football.
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(i) Where an Umpire reports a person during the course of a Match, the
Umpire shall inform the person of the report:
(C) where the incident occurs in the final quarter, as soon as practical
after the completion of the Match.
(ii) An Umpire may inform the Captain, acting Captain or Official of a Club
of a report where it is impractical to inform the person who has been
reported.
(i) As soon as practical after the completion of the Match, the Umpire shall
complete a Notice of Report in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form
21.
(A) lodge the Notice with the Match Review Secretary on the day of
the Match; and
A Notice of Report, Incident Referral Form or any other Notice or Form referred
to in this Regulation 16 may be given or lodged by:
(i) delivering; or
(ii) transmitting,
(i) As soon as practical after completion of the Match, the Umpire shall
complete an Incident Referral Form in the form prescribed in Schedule 1
as Form 25 in relation to any incident:
(i) The Umpire’s Manager may complete an Incident Referral Form in the
form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 25 in relation to an incident:
(ii) Where the Umpire’s Manager completes an Incident Referral Form under
Regulation 16.11(b)(i) the Umpire’s Manager shall lodge a copy with the
Match Review Secretary by 10.00 a.m. on the next day after completion
of the Match.
(i) The Executive General Manager Football may at any time complete an
Incident Referral Form in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 25
in relation to an incident:
(a) Review Notice of Report, Incident Referral Form, video and other inquiries
(i) Upon receipt of any Notice of Report or Incident Referral Form or upon
the request of the Match Review Officer, the Match Review Secretary
shall convene a meeting with the Match Review Officer to commence by
11.00 a.m. on the first day after completion of the relevant Match or as
soon thereafter as practical.
(ii) The Match Review Secretary shall arrange for delivery to the Match
Review Officer of all available video of any incident referred to in any
Notice of Report, Incident Referral Form or any other incident which the
Match Review Officer suspects may constitute a Reportable Offence.
(iii) The Match Review Officer may seek other information and inform itself
on the basis of any other inquiries or investigations it deems appropriate
including without limitation, discussions with any Umpires or any other
person.
(iv) The Match Review Officer shall consider each Notice of Report, Incident
Referral Form and any other incident and as soon as practical, view any
video of the reported or referred incident and confer to ascertain whether
a person may have committed a Reportable Offence. The Match Review
Officer may review any video of any report or referred incident regardless
of the source of the video.
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(b) Match Review Officer May Refer to AFL Integrity and Security Department
(i) Where the Match Review Officer forms the view that a report, incident or
matter warrants further investigation, the Match Review Officer may refer
the report, incident or matter to the AFL Integrity and Security
Department by notifying the AFL Integrity and Security Department of
particulars of the matter requiring investigation. Such notification may,
without prejudice to any other form of notice, be provided by completion
of the Notice prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 30.
(ii) As soon as practical after receiving a reference for investigation from the
Match Review Officer, the AFL Integrity and Security Department shall
investigate the matter and report in writing, to the Match Review Officer.
(c) Co-Operation
(i) fully co-operate with the AFL Integrity and Security Department;
(ii) truthfully answer any questions asked by any AFL Integrity and Security
Department personnel; and
A person who fails to observe and comply with Regulation 16.12(c) or who
provides any information, or acts in a manner, which is in any respect false or
misleading or likely to mislead, shall be deemed to have been involved in
conduct which is unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL and shall
be liable to a sanction determined by the General Counsel in accordance with
AFL Rule 2.3.
The Match Review Secretary may request that a Club provide a medical
certificate in relation to the nature and extent of any injury or the health of any
Victim Player. A request to provide a medical certificate in accordance with this
Regulation 16.12(e) shall:
(iii) contain the particulars of injury, health and medical information of the
Victim Player, having regard to the specific incident allegedly giving rise
to a Reportable Offence;
A Club that fails to observe and comply with Regulation 16.12(e) or who
provides any information, or acts in a manner, which is in any respect false or
misleading or likely to mislead, shall be deemed to have been involved in
conduct which is unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL and shall
be liable to a sanction determined by the General Counsel in accordance with
AFL Rule 2.3.
(i) If after considering a Notice of Report, Incident Referral Form, any other
incident, any video, any other inquiries or documents and/or the results
of any investigation requested under this Regulation, the Match Review
Officer determines that a person has been involved in an incident which
constitutes a Reportable Offence, the Match Review Officer shall:
(B) lodge the Notice of Charge with the Match Review Secretary; and
(ii) If after considering a Notice of Report, Incident Referral Form, any other
incident, any video, any other inquiries or documents and/or the results
of any investigation requested under this Regulation, the Match Review
Officer determines that a person has not been involved in an incident
which constitutes a Reportable Offence, the Match Review Officer may
record and publish brief reasons for the decision not to charge.
(i) The powers of the Executive General Manager Football under this
Regulation 16.12(h) may be exercised regardless of whether the
Executive General Manager Football has completed an Incident Referral
Form and lodged that with the Match Review Officer in accordance with
Regulation 16.11(e).
(iii) Upon receipt by the Match Review Secretary of a Notice of Early Plea by
a Player in accordance with Regulation 16.12(i)(ii), the Player shall be
deemed to have accepted the relevant sanction set out in Appendix 1.
(v) Where a Player has received a Notice of Charge from the Match Review
Officer under Regulation 16.12(g) or the Executive General Manager
Football under Regulation 16.12(h) and the Player disputes the
classification of the relevant factors set out in the Notice of Charge, the
Player may elect to plead guilty to the charge on the basis of a different
classification in which case the Player shall set out the different
classification in the Notice of Early Plea and lodge the same by 11.00am
on the first business day after notification of the charge. The classification
of the relevant offence (and subsequent sanction for that offence) will
then be determined by the Tribunal.
(j) Players Who Do Not Accept An Early Plea, Other Persons and Other Reportable
Offences
(i) Where:
(A) a Player does not elect to accept an Early Plea in accordance with
Regulation 16.12(i)(iii); or
(B) a person other than a Player is the subject of the Notice of Report;
or
(ii) Where Regulation 16.12(j)(i) applies, the Tribunal Secretary shall fix and
give notice to the charged person, the charged person’s Club (if any) and
any other person or Club directly involved, of the date, time and place for
the hearing by the Tribunal.
(iii) The Tribunal Secretary or the Tribunal may vary the date, time and place
of hearing by notice in writing to the charged person and the charged
person’s Club (if any).
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The Match Review Officer or the Executive General Manager Football as the
case may be, may withdraw any Notice of Charge at any time prior to a hearing
of the matter by the Tribunal by lodging a written notice with the Tribunal
Secretary and the charged person and the charged person’s Club (if any).
A Player suspended in accordance with Regulation 17.1 must serve the period of
suspension commencing from the date of the next Premiership Competition Match that
his or her Club is scheduled to play. For the avoidance of doubt, a suspension received
in a Pre-Season Competition Match or Club practice Match will be served commencing
in the first round of the Home & Away Competition.
For the purposes of this Regulation 17.1, a Club practice Match includes intra or inter-
Club Matches played before the Home and Away Matches or otherwise, but specifically
excludes:
If a Player is suspended by a State Body tribunal and he or she is unable to serve that
suspension in the State Body competition and, as a consequence, he or she is unable
to compete in a Home and Away or Finals Series Match(es), the following shall apply:
(a) the relevant State Body shall advise the AFL of the suspension imposed on the
Player by the relevant State Body tribunal; and
(b) the suspension shall be served by the Player being and remaining ineligible for
selection to compete in a Home and Away Match(s), matches in the Finals
Series for the period or any remaining period of the suspension.
(a) Any Club which includes a suspended or disqualified Player in any Match shall
forfeit each Match in which the Player participates.
(b) Each such Match shall be awarded to the opposing Club and if the opposing
Club elects by lodging a notice in writing with the Executive General Manager
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Football within seven (7) days from the date of the Match, the scores of both
Clubs in the Match shall be ignored for all the purposes.
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18. Mêlées
18.1 Sanction Also on Club
(b) The Executive General Manager Football shall determine the amount of the
sanction (if any) to be applied to the Club.
(c) Any amount payable by a Club under this Regulation shall be paid by the Club
to the AFL within 14 days of being determined.
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19. Tribunal
19.1 Establishment and Composition
The General Counsel may from time to time appoint persons to a tribunal to be
known as the Tribunal.
(b) Functions
(A) a senior member of the legal profession appointed for that hearing
as Chairperson (Chairperson);
(ii) Whenever the Tribunal is to deal with a Reportable Offence and the
prescribed penalty for the Reportable Offence as specified in Appendix
1 is a financial sanction, the charged Player may elect to have the matter
determined by a single Tribunal Jury Member who is a member of the
legal profession on the basis of written submissions only (Tribunal
Determination on Written Submissions). Where such an election is
made, these Regulations will be varied as the circumstances necessarily
require to accommodate the Tribunal Determination on Written
Submissions including as may be prescribed by guidelines made in
accordance with Regulation 19.2(g).
(d) Qualifications
Save and except where the General Counsel otherwise determines, a person
shall not be appointed to the Tribunal if that person:
If for any period and for any reason a person appointed to the Tribunal is absent
or unable to attend a hearing by the Tribunal, the General Counsel may appoint
a person who in their opinion is a suitable replacement.
(f) Resignation
(g) Removal
The General Counsel may remove a person appointed to the Tribunal at any
time in their absolute discretion.
(ii) keep an historic register of all matters before the Tribunal including
without limitation, a copy of any video relied upon by the Tribunal and a
record of all sanctions allocated to Players;
(iv) assist the Tribunal in the efficient and proper scheduling and running of
matters coming before it; and
(v) perform other functions as directed from time to time by the Tribunal.
Subject to the further matters set out in this Regulation 19, the Tribunal may
regulate any proceedings brought before it in such manner as the Chairperson
thinks fit.
(i) General
Any hearing by the Tribunal shall be conducted with as little formality and
technicality and with as much expedition as a proper consideration of the
matters before it permits.
(ii) Chairperson
(ii) The time for compliance with Regulation 19.2(e)(i) shall be not later than
11.00am on the day after notification of the charge in relation to a
Reportable Offence.
the person intending to adduce such material shall provide full written particulars
of all matters in respect thereof and forward a copy of such particulars to the
Tribunal Secretary and any other person who has an interest in the proceeding
including without limitation the Tribunal Counsel and the General Counsel, by
11.00am on the day after notification of the charge in relation to a Reportable
Offence.
(g) Guidelines
The AFL may make guidelines, not inconsistent with these Regulations, for the
practice and procedure with respect to a Tribunal hearing and Tribunal
Determination on Written Submissions. Any such guidelines shall be directory
in nature and any decision of the Tribunal is not invalid by reason of a guideline
not being followed. Without limitation, such guidelines may direct:
(i) provide any person whose interest will be directly and adversely affected
by its decision, a reasonable opportunity to be heard;
(ii) hear and determine the matter before it in an unbiased manner; and
(iii) make a decision that a reasonable Tribunal could honestly arrive at.
The Tribunal shall endeavour to hear and determine any charge or matter
referred to it before the person’s Club is next scheduled to compete, irrespective
of whether the Tribunal hearing is scheduled at short notice or whether the
hearing of the matter may affect the person’s or the person’s Club’s preparation
for the next scheduled Match. To the extent that the rules of natural justice
require that:
(ii) the Tribunal hearing be scheduled at a time that does not affect the
person’s or the person’s Club’s preparation for the next scheduled
Match,
The Tribunal Jury Members shall decide on the balance of probabilities whether a
Reportable Offence has been sustained.
Unless otherwise provided in the AFL Rules & Regulations, no person appearing before
the Tribunal shall bear an onus of establishing that an alleged offence has been
committed.
(a) At the conclusion of the hearing and where a charge is sustained in respect of
the Reportable Offences set out in Appendix 1, the Tribunal Jury Members must
apply the sanction prescribed in Appendix 1 in accordance with the classification
of the Match Review Officer or the Executive General Manager Football under
Regulations 16.12(g) or 16.12(h) save where:
(i) the Tribunal Jury Members determine that the relevant Reportable
Offence or Offences should be classified differently in which case the
sanction shall be determined by the Tribunal Jury Members by reference
to Appendix 1 as it applies to the reclassified Offence or Offences; or
(ii) there are exceptional and compelling circumstances which would make
it inappropriate or unreasonable to apply the consequences in Appendix
1 to the classification of the Match Review Officer, the Executive General
Manager Football or the Tribunal Jury Members as the case may be, in
which case the Tribunal Jury Members may impose such sanction or
sanctions as they in their absolute discretion think fit.
(iv) where there are multiple Reportable Offences that arise from the same
event of course of conduct.
(c) Where the matter was referred directly to the Tribunal in accordance with:
(iv) The Tribunal Jury Members may determine that while a specified
Reportable Offence has not been committed, the charged Player
attempted to commit a Reportable Offence in which case the Player may
be found to have committed the offence of attempting to commit the
relevant Reportable Offence. The Tribunal Jury Members may
alternatively determine that a Reportable Offence has not been
committed in which case no sanction shall apply.
(d) In the case of a matter involving a Reportable Offence which is not set out in
Appendix 1, the Tribunal Jury Members may at the conclusion of the hearing,
subject to any contrary provisions in any relevant Code, Policy, Rules or
Regulations, impose such sanctions as they in their absolute discretion think fit.
(e) Where a Player has lodged a Notice of Early Plea disputing the classification of
the Match Review Officer or Executive General Manager Football (as
applicable) but pleading guilty to the Reportable Offence as classified and set
out by the Player in the Notice of Early Plea and where the Tribunal Jury
Members determine that the Reportable Offence should be classified in
accordance with that set out by the Player, the sanction to apply shall be that
set out in Appendix 1 for the penalty applicable to the Tribunal Jury Members’
classification.
(i) A Player is successful if, and only if the Tribunal Jury Members determine
that the charge is not sustained in accordance with Regulation 19.6(a) or
where Regulation 19.6(e) applies.
(iii) Where a Player is not successful, the payment made under Regulation
16.12(l) shall not be refunded, unless the Tribunal determines that it
would be manifestly unjust and unfair not to refund the whole or part of
such payment in which case, the whole or part may be refunded.
(a) The Tribunal may make any interim orders it thinks fit in any proceedings before
it.
(b) The Chairperson may give directions on any matter or thing not provided for by
these Regulations in relation to any proceeding before the Tribunal.
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The General Counsel may from time to time appoint one or more Tribunal Counsel
(Tribunal Counsel) who may be barristers and/or solicitors, to present the evidence in
support of the charge or matter, respond to any matters put in defence and address the
Tribunal at any hearing. Persons so appointed shall be known as Tribunal Counsel
who without limitation, shall:
(a) advise the Tribunal of the particulars of the charge or matter before it;
(b) tender any evidence in support of the charge or matter, including without
limitation any videotape or investigation report;
(e) address the Tribunal by way of summing up prior to any final submissions by
any representative of a person charged or otherwise appearing to be dealt with
by the Tribunal and (where applicable) prior to the Tribunal Jury Members
retiring to consider their finding.
Prior to or at any time during a hearing before the Tribunal, Tribunal Counsel may:
(b) with the consent of the Chairperson, amend any Notice of Charge including,
without limitation, by substitution of a charge or addition of a charge in the
alternative.
19.11 Representation
19.12 Representative
(a) At any hearing before the Tribunal, the charged Player or person must attend at
the time and place specified in the Notice of Charge or other notice.
(b) If a required person fails to appear at the time and place specified in the Notice
of Charge or other notice, the Tribunal may proceed to hear and the Tribunal
Jury Members may determine the charge or matter and any sanction in the
absence of the person.
(c) Tribunal Counsel may attend and appear before the Tribunal at the date, time
and place and fixed for the hearing of the Tribunal. Where Tribunal Counsel fails
to attend before the Tribunal, the Tribunal may hear and determine the charge
or matter in the absence of Tribunal Counsel.
(d) Subject to any contrary direction of the Chairperson in any case, proceedings
before the Tribunal shall be open to members of the media accredited by the
AFL.
(a) At any hearing before the Tribunal, no person shall call evidence from a Victim
Player, without leave of the Chairperson.
(i) has been given notice by the person intending to make an allegation that
an allegation will be made; and
(ii) the Chairperson is satisfied that the Player other than the charged Player
against whom an allegation is to be made has had a reasonable
opportunity to respond to the allegation, including through oral evidence
at the Tribunal hearing.
(c) The Chairperson may direct the Tribunal Jury Members in relation to the weight
to be given to evidence adduced in accordance with Regulation 19.14(a) and
19.14(b).
(d) A Club shall ensure that it provides a certificate of its Club Medical Officer in
relation to the extent of any injury or the health of any Player against whom a
Reportable Offence is alleged to have been committed, upon request of the
Match Review Secretary, the Tribunal Secretary or any Tribunal Counsel.
Where such a request is made of a Club, the Club shall ensure that it provides
the certificate of its Club Medical Officer as soon as possible following the
request and in any event, within three hours of such request.
(a) Where there is any procedural irregularity in the making of a charge or any other
matter, the Tribunal shall still hear and determine the matter unless it is of the
opinion that the irregularity has caused or may cause injustice if the matter was
heard. Without limitation, the Chairperson may direct that a Notice of Charge
78
(b) A decision of the Tribunal is not invalid because of any defect or irregularity in,
or in connection with, the appointment of any person comprising the Tribunal.
(c) Subject to Regulations 19.3(a), 19.3(b), 19.6(c), 19.6(d) and 19.6(e), any
procedure or requirement regulating the function of the Tribunal is directory in
nature and a decision of the Tribunal is not invalid by reason of that procedure
or requirement not being fulfilled.
(b) The Chairperson may excuse a person from appearing before the Tribunal if the
Chairperson is of the opinion that the person is suffering from an injury or
medical condition that would prevent that person’s attendance.
(c) Any person who appears before the Tribunal and who in the opinion of the
General Counsel or Chairperson has:
(ii) failed to truthfully answer any questions asked by the Tribunal Counsel
or the Tribunal;
(a) An Official or Player, or any person acting on behalf or in concert with the Official
or Player, shall not contact or procure another to contact a person of another
Club who is or ought reasonably to be regarded as a person required to give
evidence before the Tribunal, where that contact is intended to or may otherwise
mislead the Tribunal or unfairly affect the conduct of the Tribunal hearing. A
person who contravenes this Regulation shall:
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(ii) be dealt with by the Tribunal Jury Members as they in their absolute
discretion think fit.
(a) A person subject to these Regulations shall not publicly comment on:
(iii) an Incident Referral Form and any matter touching upon or concerning
an incident referral form until that matter has been dealt with by the Match
Review Officer and determined by the Tribunal (if required to be
determined by the Tribunal).
(b) Where a person contravenes Regulation 19.18(a), the person’s Club shall also
be liable to a sanction unless the person establishes to the reasonable
satisfaction of the General Counsel that such public comment was not intended
to influence or affect the conduct of the Tribunal hearing or the process of the
investigation, as the case may be.
(c) No person subject to these Regulations shall make any unfair, unreasonable or
excessive public criticism of:
(iv) any other matter touching upon or concerning the Match Review Officer,
Tribunal or a determination made by either.
The General Counsel shall determine in their absolute discretion in any case,
whether any public criticism is unfair, unreasonable or excessive. Where a
person contravenes this Regulation, the person’s Club shall also be liable to a
sanction.
Regulation 20 prescribes the procedures for an appeal commenced by the person the
subject of a determination by the Tribunal under Regulation 19.6, or the General
Counsel. To the extent that any rule in Regulation 20 is inconsistent with any other
Regulation, the provisions of Regulation 20 shall prevail.
The person the subject of a determination by the Tribunal under Regulation 19.6 may
appeal to the Appeal Board by no later than 12.00 noon on the day following the
decision of the Tribunal on one or more of the following grounds:
(b) that the decision was so unreasonable that no Tribunal acting reasonably could
have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it;
(c) the classification of the level of the offence was manifestly excessive or
inadequate; or
The General Counsel may appeal to the Appeal Board in respect of a determination of
the Tribunal under Regulation 19.6 within the time and on one or more of the grounds
referred to in Regulation 20.2.
20.4 Appointment
(a) The General Counsel may from time to time appoint persons to sit on an appeal
board to be known as the Appeal Board.
On any occasion when an appeal is brought before the Appeal Board, the Appeal Board
shall comprise three persons being:
(a) a person who is a senior member of the legal profession appointed for that
hearing as Chairperson (Chairperson of the Appeal Board);
(b) a panel of two persons who in the opinion of the General Counsel possess a
sufficient knowledge of Australian football and the law in respect of appellate
tribunals (Appeal Board Panel).
The Appeal Board so constituted shall conduct a hearing in respect of any appeal.
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20.6 Qualifications
Save and except where the General Counsel otherwise determines, a person shall not
be appointed to the Appeal Board if that person:
If for any period and for any reason any person comprising the Appeal Board for a
particular matter is absent or unable to attend a hearing of the Appeal Board, the
General Counsel may appoint a person who in their opinion is a suitable replacement.
20.8 Resignation
A person comprising the Appeal Board may resign by providing notice in writing to the
General Counsel.
20.9 Removal
The General Counsel may remove a person from the Appeal Board at any time at its
absolute discretion.
The General Counsel shall appoint a Secretary to the Appeal Board (Appeal Board
Secretary).
(c) assist the Appeal Board in the efficient and proper scheduling and running of
matters coming before it; and
(d) perform other functions as directed from time to time by the Appeal Board.
An appeal under Regulation 20.2 or Regulation 20.3 shall be brought by lodging with
the Appeal Board Secretary a duly completed Notice of Appeal in the form prescribed
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in Schedule 1 as Form 17 and in the case of an appeal under Regulation 20.2 shall be
accompanied by payment to the AFL of:
(a) the sum of $2,500 towards the costs of the appeal, which sum shall not be
refundable in any circumstances; and
(b) the further sum of $2,500 which shall be dealt with in accordance with
Regulations 20.25 or 20.27.
All amounts referred to in this Regulation are inclusive of Goods and Services Tax.
(a) delivering; or
(b) transmitting,
that Notice addressed to the Secretary of the Appeal Board provided it is received by
the Secretary no later than the time prescribed in Regulation 20.2.
(a) Notification
(i) fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the appeal as soon as
practicable;
(ii) advise all parties interested in the appeal in writing of those particulars;
(iii) provide each person appointed to sit on the Appeal Board and Tribunal
Counsel with a copy of the Notice of Appeal;
(iv) cause a transcript of the hearing before the Tribunal to be prepared; and
as soon as practicable; and
(v) provide each person appointed to sit on the Appeal Board, Tribunal
Counsel and the appellant with a copy of the transcript of the hearing
before the Tribunal.
The Appeal Board may vary the date, time or place specified under Regulation
20.14(a) and upon doing so shall as soon as practicable provide all parties
interested in the appeal with written notice of any such variation.
(c) Attendance
(i) An appellant shall attend and appear before the Appeal Board at the
date, time and place fixed for the hearing of the appeal. Where an
appellant fails to attend before the Appeal Board, the Appeal Board may
hear and determine the appeal in the appellant’s absence.
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(ii) Tribunal Counsel may attend and appear before the Appeal Board at the
date, time and place fixed for the hearing of the appeal. Where Tribunal
Counsel fails to attend before the Appeal Board, the Appeal Board may
hear and determine the appeal in the absence of Tribunal Counsel.
(a) Subject to the further matters set out in this Regulation 20, the Appeal Board
may regulate any proceedings brought before it in such manner as the
Chairperson of the Appeal Board thinks fit.
(b) The Appeal Board is not bound by the rules of evidence or by practices and
procedures applicable to Courts of record, but may inform itself as to any matter
in such manner as it thinks fit.
(i) provide any person whose interest will be directly and adversely affected
by its decision a reasonable opportunity to be heard;
(ii) hear and determine the matter before it in an unbiased manner; and
(iii) make a decision that a reasonable body could honestly arrive at.
(b) Subject to Regulations 20.14(b) and 20.17(b), the Appeal Board shall
endeavour to hear and determine an appeal brought under this Regulation 20
before the appellant’s Club is next scheduled to compete, irrespective of
whether the appeal is heard at short notice or whether the hearing of the appeal
may affect the appellant’s or the appellant’s Club’s preparation for the next
scheduled Match. To the extent that the rules of natural justice require that:
(ii) the appeal be scheduled at a time that does not affect the appellant’s or
the appellant’s Club’s preparation for the next scheduled Match,
(a) Subject to Regulation 20.17(b)(ii), where the Tribunal imposes a sanction that
prevents the appellant from participating in a Match, the appellant shall serve
that sanction pending the determination of the appeal.
(b) Subject to Regulation 20.17(c), the Appeal Board may of its own motion or upon
application of any party to the appeal, order:
(ii) a stay of the execution of the sanction imposed by the Tribunal pending
the determination of the appeal.
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(c) The Appeal Board shall make an order under Regulation 20.17(b)(ii) only where
it is satisfied that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances that make
it harsh and unreasonable if an order was not made. In determining that
question, the Appeal Board shall without limitation have regard to:
(i) the merits of the appeal and the appellant’s prospects of success;
(iv) the need to permit the due and proper administration of Australian
Football in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of
Association, AFL Rules and these Regulations.
20.18 Representation
(b) At any hearing before the Tribunal, Tribunal Counsel shall be entitled to appear
until or unless excused by the Chairperson of the Appeal Board.
20.19 Representative
Where the Appeal Board is of the opinion that a representative of a Player or person
appearing before the Appeal Board has failed to observe directions of the Appeal Board
or otherwise acted in a contemptuous, irresponsible or discourteous manner, the
Appeal Board may withdraw leave for that person to represent the Player or person
and if appropriate, adjourn the proceedings to enable the Player or person to obtain
fresh representation.
20.20 Review
(a) The Appeal Board shall hear all appeals by way of a review of the evidence
presented before the Tribunal and determine whether one or more of the
grounds referred to in Regulation 20.2 have been established.
(b) Neither the appellant nor Tribunal Counsel may produce fresh evidence at the
hearing of an appeal without leave of the Appeal Board. If an appellant or
Tribunal Counsel seek leave to produce fresh evidence, the Appeal Board shall
not grant such leave unless:
(i) the evidence could not by reasonable diligence have been obtained by
the appellant or Tribunal Counsel prior to the conclusion of the hearing
before the Tribunal; and
(ii) the evidence is of sufficient probative value that, considered with other
evidence which was before the Tribunal, the Tribunal would have
reached a different decision.
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Where the Appeal Board determines that one or more of the grounds set out in
Regulation 20.2 have been established, the Appeal Board may confirm, reverse or
modify the decision of the Tribunal the subject of the appeal and make such orders and
give such directions in such manner as it thinks fit.
Any question on appeal before the Appeal Board must be decided according to the
opinion of a majority of those constituting the Appeal Board.
At the conclusion of a hearing before the Appeal Board, the Appeal Board will give brief
reasons for a decision under Regulation 20.21.
On the hearing of an appeal the appellant shall bear the onus of establishing on the
balance of probabilities, one or more of the grounds set out in Regulation 20.2.
For the purposes of this Regulation, an appeal is successful if, and only if the Appeal
Board determines that one or more of the grounds set out in Regulation 20.2 has been
established.
(a) Where an appeal is successful, the payment made under Regulation 20.12(b)
shall be refunded on receipt by the AFL of an appropriate tax invoice.
(b) Where an appeal is not successful, the payment made under Regulation
20.12(b) shall not be refunded, unless the matter involves a monetary sanction
and the Appeal Board determines that it would be manifestly unjust and unfair
not to refund the whole or part of such payment in which case, the whole or part
may be refunded.
20.26 Costs
(b) Subject to Regulation 20.25(b), where an appellant abandons the appeal during
the conduct of the appeal, the payment made under Regulation 20.12(b) shall
not be refunded.
(a) Where there is any procedural irregularity in the manner in which an appeal has
been brought, the Appeal Board may still hear and determine the appeal unless
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it is of the opinion that the irregularity has caused or will cause injustice if the
appeal was heard.
(b) A decision of the Appeal Board is not invalid because of any defect or irregularity
in, or in connection with, the appointment of an Appeal Board Member.
(a) A person subject to the AFL Rules and Regulations shall not publicly comment
on the contents of a Notice of Appeal prior to the determination by the Appeal
Board. Where a person contravenes this Regulation, the person’s Club shall be
liable to a sanction unless the person establishes to the reasonable satisfaction
of the General Counsel that such public comment was not intended to influence
or affect the conduct of the Appeal Board hearing.
(b) No person subject to the AFL Rules and Regulations shall make any unfair,
unreasonable or excessive public criticism of a decision of the Appeal Board or
of any member of the Appeal Board or any other matter touching or concerning
the Appeal Board or a determination made by it. The General Counsel shall
determine in their absolute discretion and in any case, whether any public
criticism is unfair, unreasonable or excessive. Where a person contravenes this
Regulation, the person’s Club shall be liable to a sanction.
A person shall exercise their right of appeal under this Regulation 20 and have any
appeal heard and determined by the Appeal Board before commencing any relevant
proceedings or becoming a party to any relevant proceedings in a court of law.
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(a) The field Umpires shall within a reasonable time following the conclusion of a
Home and Away Match, record their opinion of the three fairest and best Players
in the Match and place it in a sealed envelope marked "Brownlow Medal". The
officiating field Umpires shall sign across the seal of the envelope.
(b) For each Home and Away Match, the Player determined as the:
(ii) second fairest and best Player, shall receive two votes; and
(iii) third fairest and best Player, shall receive one vote.
(c) A Field Umpire nominated by the AFL Umpires’ Head Coach shall lodge such
envelope at the offices of the AFL, or such place as nominated by the AFL Head
of Umpiring, on the first working day after the Match.
(a) At the end of the Home and Away Matches in each year, the votes recorded by
the field Umpires shall be counted and the Player receiving the highest number
of votes shall be awarded the Brownlow Medal.
(b) Where two or more Players receive an equal number of votes, each shall be
declared the joint winner and shall be awarded a Brownlow Medal.
(c) Subject to Regulation 21.5, any Player who has been found guilty of a
Reportable Offence in a Home and Away Match in which Brownlow Medal votes
have been cast shall be ineligible to receive the Brownlow Medal in that season.
The field Umpires shall award votes to the Players who they consider to be the fairest
and best, irrespective of whether such Players:
(a) have been found guilty of a Reportable Offence in a Match during that season;
or
(b) have been reported during the Match for which votes are to be awarded.
Any reference in this Regulation to a Player having been found guilty of a Reportable
Offence means a Reportable Offence as defined in these Regulations.
21.5 Exception
Notwithstanding that a Player has been found guilty of a Reportable Offence in a Home
and Away Match in which "Brownlow Medal" votes have been cast, the Player shall
remain eligible to receive the Brownlow Medal in that season if the sanction for the
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(b) The AFL Rising Star Nomination Panel shall take into account each Eligible
Players performance in the round of Home and Away Matches just completed
together with the performances of Eligible Players in previous Home and Away
Matches in that season when deciding who is the best performed Eligible Player
to that stage of the AFL Season.
(c) An Eligible Player may only be nominated as a weekly AFL Rising Star once in
any one AFL Season.
(a) At the end of the Home and Away Matches in each year, the All Australian
Selectors shall select the winner of the AFL Rising Star Award for that year from
the players nominated as the weekly AFL Rising Star (Weekly Nominees).
(b) At the conclusion of the Home and Away Matches, each All Australian Selector
shall nominate the 5 best performed Eligible Players from the Weekly Nominees
based on their performance during the Home and Away Matches in that AFL
Season on the following basis:
(iv) fourth best Eligible Player, shall receive two votes; and
(c) The votes recorded by each All Australian Selector shall be counted and the
Eligible Player receiving the highest number of total votes shall be declared the
winner of the AFL Rising Star Award.
(d) Where two or more Players receive an equal number of votes, each shall be
declared the joint winner and shall be awarded the AFL Rising Star Award.
(e) Subject to Regulation 22.5, any Eligible Player who has been found guilty of a
Reportable Offence in that year shall be ineligible to receive the AFL Rising Star
Award in that year and shall not receive votes under Regulation 22.2(b).
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The AFL Rising Star Nomination Panel may nominate an Eligible Player as a weekly
AFL Rising Star even if the Eligible Player has been found guilty of a Reportable
Offence in that AFL Season.
Any reference in this Regulation to an Eligible Player having been found guilty of a
Reportable Offence means a Reportable Offence as defined in these Regulations.
22.5 Exception
Notwithstanding that an Eligible Player has been found guilty of a Reportable Offence
in that AFL Season, the Eligible Player shall remain eligible to receive votes under
Regulation 22.2(b) and the AFL Rising Star Award in that year if the sanction for the
Reportable Offence is a financial sanction only as set out in Appendix 1 of these
Regulations or as determined by the Tribunal or in the case of State League Tribunal,
the sanction was not a suspension or disqualification from participating in a Match.
(a) is under the age of 21 on 31 December in the year immediately prior to the year
in which the AFL Rising Star Award is to be awarded; and
(b) has not played more than 10 AFL Home and Away and Finals Series Matches
before the start of the AFL Season in the year in which the AFL Rising Star
Award is to be awarded.
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The Coleman Medal shall be awarded each AFL Season to the Player that kicks the
highest number of goals during the Home and Away Matches in that AFL Season as
determined by the AFL Official Statistician.
Where two or more Players kick an equal number of goals during the Home and Away
Matches, each shall be declared the joint winner and shall be awarded the Coleman
Medal.
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(a) A panel appointed by the Executive General Manager Football shall immediately
following the conclusion of the Grand Final or Anzac Day Match as the case
may be, record their opinion of the three best Players in the Grand Final or
Anzac Day Match as the case may be and provide them to a nominated AFL
representative.
(b) The Executive General Manager Football shall nominate one of the panel
members as Chairperson and one of the panel members as Deputy
Chairperson.
(c) Each Panel member shall award votes on the following basis:
(a) At the conclusion of the Grand Final or Anzac Day Match as the case may be,
the votes recorded by each panel member shall be counted and the Player
receiving the highest number of votes shall be awarded the Norm Smith
Medal/Anzac Medal.
(b) Where two or more Players receive an equal number of votes (Equal Leader),
the Norm Smith Medal/Anzac Medal will be awarded to the Equal Leader that
received the most number of 3 votes. If the Equal Leaders received the same
number of 3 votes the Norm Smith Medal/Anzac Medal will be awarded to the
Equal Leader that received the most number of 2 votes. If the Equal Leader
received the same number of 2 votes the Norm Smith Medal/Anzac Medal will
be awarded to the Equal Leader that received the most number of votes from
the Chairperson. If none of the Equal Leaders received votes from the
Chairperson the Norm Smith Medal/Anzac Medal will be awarded to the Equal
Leader that received the most votes from the Deputy Chairperson.
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(b) The Chief Executive Officer shall be the Chairperson of the All Australian
Selection Committee.
25.2 Meetings
(a) The All Australian Selection Committee shall meet following or near the
completion of the Home and Away Matches in each year and select the All
Australian team.
(b) The All Australian Selection Committee shall meet at such other times during
the year as they see fit.
(c) No formal period of notice of meetings need be given and meetings may be
convened on any period of notice as determined by the Chief Executive Officer
of the AFL.
(d) The quorum required for All Australian Selection Meetings shall be as
determined by the Chief Executive Officer.
(e) The conduct of meetings of the All Australian Selection Committee, including
voting and selection procedures shall be regulated in such manner as the Chief
Executive Officer thinks fit.
(a) The All Australian Selection Committee shall consider a Player’s performance
during the Home and Away Matches and other matches as designated by the
Chief Executive Officer (Selection Period) when selecting the All Australian
Team.
(b) Any Player who played a Home and Away Match during the AFL Season is
eligible for selection to the All Australian team regardless of whether the Player
has been found guilty of a Reportable Offence during the AFL Season.
(c) The All Australian Selection Committee shall select the best performed 22
Players over the selection period, regardless of Club affiliation, in the All
Australian team subject to the requirement that the team shall be balanced as if
participating in a Match.
(d) The Chief Executive Officer may issue selection criteria guidelines to the All
Australian Selection Committee which guidelines the All Australian Selection
Committee shall take into account when selecting the All Australian team.
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(a) The All Australian Selection Committee shall select one of the All Australian
team members as All Australian Captain and one other All Australian team
member as All Australian Vice Captain.
(b) The Coach of the Premiership team shall be the All Australian coach.
(c) The AFL Umpiring Department shall select the best performed umpire over the
selection period as All Australian Umpire.
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A panel appointed by the Executive General Manager Football (AFL Mark/Goal of the
Year Nomination Panel) shall at the completion of each round of Home and Away
Matches nominate the Player that takes the best mark/goal in that round of Home and
Away Matches as the weekly nominee for the AFL Mark/Goal of the Year (Weekly
Nominee) and two runners-up each week (Selection) in each category. The AFL may
provide for the public to nominate the best mark/goal in each round of Home and Away
Matches from the Selections (Public Nominee).
(a) At the end of the Home and Away Season in each year, the All Australian
Selectors shall select the winner of the AFL Mark/Goal of the Year for that year
from the Nominees, and any Public Nominees that differ from the Weekly
Nominees.
(b) At the conclusion of the Home and Away Season, each All Australian Selector
shall nominate their 5 best marks/goals from the Weekly Nominees/Public
Nominees:
(c) The votes recorded by each All Australian Selector shall be counted and the
Player whose mark/goal receives the highest number of total votes shall be
declared the winner of the AFL Mark/Goal of Year.
(d) Where two or more marks/goals receive an equal number of votes, each Player
shall be declared the joint winner and shall be awarded the AFL Mark/Goal of
the Year.
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of the AFL Rules and Regulations, the
Commission may in its discretion determine that a Player is not eligible for any of the
awards referred to in Regulation 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26 if that Player is found guilty of
an offence under the AFL Anti-Doping Code, the Illicit Drug Policy or the AFL Rules &
Regulations.
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The name of the perpetual trophy to be awarded to the Club that finishes in first position
on Final Premiership Ladder at the end of the Home and Away Matches in each year
shall be titled the "Dr. William. C. McClelland Trophy" (Trophy).
28.2 Trophy
The Trophy shall be retained at the offices of the AFL and a replica presented to the
winning Club.
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(b) The sale of broadcast rights is a critically important means of generating income
for the AFL.
(d) Income from the sale of broadcast rights and the quality and extent of the
broadcast of AFL Spectacles is maximised by the AFL dealing exclusively in the
right to broadcast AFL Spectacles.
(e) The AFL from time to time considers whether AFL Clubs should receive a
distribution of part of the annual operating surplus of the AFL which includes the
income received by the AFL from the sale of broadcast rights.
(f) Distributions of part of the annual operating surplus of the AFL are important
sources of revenue for AFL Clubs and in particular assist AFL Clubs to
adequately remunerate players participating in the AFL competition.
(g) The AFL from time to time makes grants and provides for payment to other
bodies involved in the administration, promotion and development of Australian
football.
(h) Grants by the AFL and such other payments to Australian football bodies are
vitally important to the promotion and development of Australian football at junior
and other levels.
29.2 Definitions
(a) “broadcast” means any service (by whatever means or process) which is or in
the future becomes a content service for the purposes of the Broadcasting
Services Act 1992 (Cth) and includes, but is not limited to any internet, wireless
or on-line service, any television or radio transmission, mobile telephony
devices or any service making available to any member of the public
(simultaneously with or consecutively to any other member of the public) text,
sounds or images.
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(b) “AFL Spectacles” means all matches of Australian football and events
conducted by or under the auspices of the AFL including without limitation all
practice or exhibition matches involving AFL Clubs, the Pre-Season
Competition, Home and Away Matches, the Finals series, the State of Origin
series, the counting of votes for the presentation of the Brownlow Medal, the
AFL Player Draft(s), International Rules Series, Rising Star Award, Hall of Fame
function, Grand Final parade, AFL Combine and the AFL All Australian Team.
(c) “Authorised Broadcaster” means any broadcaster nominated by the AFL from
time to time as being authorised to broadcast AFL Spectacles.
(d) “Draft Selection Meeting” has the same meaning referred to in the AFL Rules.
The AFL shall be entitled to grant all rights in relation to the broadcast of AFL
Spectacles.
The entitlement to grant all rights to broadcast AFL Spectacles shall be the absolute
and exclusive right of the AFL.
An AFL Club shall not directly or indirectly broadcast AFL Spectacles or grant any rights
to broadcast AFL Spectacles to any other person.
Each AFL Club shall use its best endeavours to ensure that its Ground Management
Authority:
(a) shall not permit, allow or assist any other person to broadcast any AFL
Spectacle otherwise than in accordance with arrangements made and approved
by the AFL with an Authorised Broadcaster;
(b) shall provide any Authorised Broadcaster with access to the necessary facilities
required for the broadcast of AFL Spectacles including without limitation
reasonable and unobstructed camera positions required for the broadcast of
AFL Spectacles;
(c) shall provide such assistance to any Authorised Broadcaster and its servants
and agents as is necessary to ensure that the AFL fulfils to the maximum
possible extent, its obligations to any Authorised Broadcaster;
(d) shall in cases where a number of Authorised Broadcasters attend the relevant
venue for the purposes of providing a broadcast of any AFL Spectacle, provide
separate facilities necessary for the broadcast of the AFL Spectacle by each
Authorised Broadcaster; and
(e) shall not permit, allow or assist any other person to permit or allow the admission
into the relevant venue of any equipment used in the broadcast of any AFL
Spectacle including without limitation television and video cameras, on any day
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when any AFL Spectacle is played at the venue save as permitted under
Regulation 29.6 or as is otherwise specifically authorised by the AFL.
Any AFL Club which fails to or is unable to procure its Ground Management Authority
to comply with each of the requirements set out in sub-paragraphs (a) – (e) of
Regulation 29.6 shall immediately upon notice by the AFL facilitate the scheduling or
re-scheduling of any or all Matches in which the AFL Club is to participate, to an
alternative venue suitable for the playing of AFL Matches, as directed by the AFL and
without limitation such AFL Club shall fully co-operate with and assist the AFL in
scheduling or re-scheduling the Match or Matches as the case may be.
(a) Any AFL Club which fails to comply with or observe Regulations 29.6 or 29.7
shall not be entitled to:
(i) any Premiership Points for any AFL Match won by the Team of the
relevant AFL Club at a venue where the Ground Management Authority
has not complied with each of the requirements set out in sub-paragraph
(a) – (e) of Regulation 29.6;
(ii) be considered to receive any of the annual operating surplus of the AFL
in respect of any year when such a failure occurs; and
(b) Where any AFL Club fails to comply with or observe Regulation 29.6 or 29.7
and that AFL Club wins an AFL Match at a venue where the Ground
Management Authority has not complied with each of the requirements set out
in sub-paragraphs (a)-(e) of Regulation 29.6, the losing AFL Club in such AFL
Match shall not be awarded any Premiership Points and the scores shall be
ignored for the purposes of the calculation of percentages.
An AFL Club shall not, and shall ensure that each of its Officers, servants and agents
do not:
any equipment that may be used in the broadcast or recording of an AFL Spectacle
(including without limitation television and video cameras) on any day when an AFL
Spectacle is conducted at the relevant venue save as otherwise specifically authorised
by the AFL.
Sanction: If an AFL Club breaches this Regulation 29.9, the Commission, the Chief
Operating Officer, or the person nominated by the Chief Executive
Officer, may deal with this matter in such manner as the Commission,
Chief Operating Officer, or the person nominated by the Chief Executive
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Officer, in their absolute discretion thinks fit and without limiting their
power they may impose a monetary sanction of such amount as they
think fit.
An AFL Club shall not permit, allow or assist any other person to:
any equipment that may be used in the broadcast or recording of an AFL Spectacle
(including without limitation television and video cameras) on any day when an AFL
Spectacle is conducted at the relevant venue save as otherwise specifically authorised
by the AFL or in accordance with arrangements made and approved by the AFL with
an Authorised Broadcaster.
Sanction: If an AFL Club breaches this Regulation 29.10, the Commission, the Chief
Operating Officer, or the person nominated by the Chief Executive
Officer, may deal with this matter in such manner as the Commission,
Chief Operating Officer, or the person nominated by the Chief Executive
Officer, in their absolute discretion thinks fit and without limiting their
power they may impose a monetary sanction of such amount as they
think fit.
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(a) comply with, observe and perform and ensure that each of its Officers, Players
and Coaches complies with, observes and performs any obligations contained
in the AFL Broadcaster & Media Access Policy;
(b) not by its conduct or the conduct of its Officers, Players and Coaches, do
anything that would prejudice the full effect and operation of the AFL Media
Relations Policy; and
(c) provide all reasonable assistance to the AFL for the purposes of providing
information to the media and assisting in maintaining a good working
relationship with the Media.
Without limiting the obligations imposed on a Club under Regulation 30.1, a Club shall
fully cooperate with the Media by:
(a) ensuring its Senior Coach and leading Players attend any pre-Match Media
conference that may be arranged from time to time by the AFL;
(c) ensuring that its Senior Coach attends the post-Match Media conference at the
time prescribed;
(d) providing adequate facilities at which the post-Match Media conference can be
conducted;
(e) providing reasonable access to its Coaches, Players, Officers and other
employees to be interviewed:
(iv) at such other times as may be arranged between the media and the Club,
or directly with the Coach, Player or Officer; and
(f) ensuring its Coaches, Players, Officers and other employees do not cover up or
in any way interfere with any Media cameras at a Match, including any cameras
located in the Coaches box.
30.3 Sanction
A Club which fails to comply with the AFL Broadcast & Media Access Policy shall be
subject to the sanction as prescribed in the AFL Broadcaster & Media Access Policy or
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if no amount is set out, such sanction as the General Manager – Finance, Clubs and
Broadcast may determine in their absolute discretion.
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(a) Any roof of a stadium shall remain open on the day of a Match unless otherwise
determined by the Executive General Manager Football, or their appointee, in
that person’s absolute discretion. Without limitation, the Executive General
Manager Football, or their appointee, may direct that any roof of a stadium be
closed or partially closed on the day of a Match having regard to whether the
conditions for and comfort of those in attendance (including Players) would
generally be enhanced by closing or partially closing the roof and whether
shadows will encroach upon the Playing Surface.
(b) The AFL may publish guidelines concerning the opening and closing of a
stadium roof, including times when a roof can be opened and closed on the day
of a Match.
(c) If a Player accidentally kicks or causes the football to hit any part of a stadium
roof’s structure, the football shall be out of play and the following shall apply:
(i) if the football hits any roof beams which run the length of the Playing
Surface along a wing, the boundary Umpire shall throw the football back
into play from a position on the boundary line nearest to where the
football hit the roof beam; or
(ii) if the football hits any other part of the stadium roof structure which is
above the Playing Surface, the field Umpire shall bounce the football at
the position on the Playing Surface nearest to where the football hit the
stadium roof structure.
105
(a) If the delay exceeds 10 minutes but is less than 15 minutes – Sanction of up to
20 Units
(b) If the delay is more than 15 minutes but less than 30 minutes – Sanction of up
to 40 Units
(c) If the delay is not less than 30 minutes but not more than 45 minutes – Sanction
of up to 60 Units
The amount of Sanction imposed on a Club or Clubs under Regulation 32.1 shall be
determined by the Executive General Manager Football in its absolute discretion.
32.3 Forfeiture
Subject to Regulations 33.2, 33.3 and 33.4, if a Club is unable to do all things necessary
for the commencement of play for a period exceeding 60 minutes from the scheduled
starting time:
(a) the General Manager or other Senior Official of the Home Club shall notify the
Executive General Manager Football or such other person who they may
designate from time to time ("the Notice");
(b) if both Clubs are able to commence play at the time or will be able to commence
play within a reasonable time of the Notice, they shall commence as soon as
possible subject to the Executive General Manager Football or other person
designated by them, ruling that the Match shall not commence due to insufficient
time (taking into account facilities such as lights) for the Match to be completed;
(c) if play is not able to be commenced or if the Executive General Manager Football
or other person designated by them determines that the Match should not
commence as provided in Regulation 32.3(b), the Match shall be deemed to be
forfeited and the Premiership Points awarded to the Club whose team was
positioned to commence play at that time or, in the case of a Finals Series or
Pre-Season Competition Match, the Club whose team was positioned to
commence play at that time will be declared the winner of the Match. For Home
and Away Matches, the percentage of each Club shall also be adjusted by
attributing the average winning score from the relevant round of Matches to the
Club awarded the Premiership Points and the average losing score from the
relevant round of Matches to the Club which forfeited the Match. Forfeiture shall
be in addition to any other sanction contained in these Regulations.
Any Match forfeiture by a Club pursuant to this Regulation 32.3 shall not be replayed.
106
32.4 Abandonment
If neither Club is able to commence play in accordance with Regulation 32.3, the Match
shall be deemed to be abandoned and, for Home and Away Matches, no Premiership
Points shall be awarded or percentage adjusted for either Club. A Match abandoned
in accordance with this Regulation shall not be replayed.
In order to comply with its obligations under this Regulation, a Club must travel to the
destination of any interstate Match in which it is scheduled to compete during the Pre-
Season Competition, Premiership Competition or the Finals Series at least 1 day prior
to the scheduled Match unless otherwise advised by the AFL at its absolute discretion.
Notwithstanding anything contained in Regulation 32.1, 32.3 and 32.4 the Commission
may determine the outcome of any Match which is not completed within the scheduled
time and without limiting the generality of the foregoing may direct that all or part of the
Match be replayed or that a result be declared which deems a Club, by itself, its
servants, agents or supporters, responsible for the failure of the Match to be completed.
107
(b) The Executive General Manager Football, or the person designated by them,
may determine that a Match is unable to commence or continue when
circumstances exist which increase the risk of injury to those participating in the
Match.
If a Home and Away Match is unable to commence for reasons beyond the
control of the Club, the Executive General Manager Football shall endeavour to
reschedule the Home and Away Match so that a result can be obtained. If the
Home and Away Match cannot be rescheduled, each Team shall be awarded
two Premiership Points and the Teams’ percentage shall not be adjusted.
(i) If a Home and Away Match has commenced but is not able to proceed
at any time within the time scheduled for the Home and Away Match, the
teams shall depart from the Arena for a period of up to 60 minutes.
(iii) Each Team shall be awarded two Premiership Points and the scores of
the teams at the time the Home and Away Match was interrupted shall
be used in the calculation of percentage.
(i) If a Home and Away Match has progressed beyond the half time interval
and is unable to proceed at any time within the time scheduled for the
Home and Away Match, the teams shall depart from the Arena for a
period of up to 60 minutes.
the teams at the time the Home and Away Match was interrupted shall
be deemed to be the final scores of the Home and Away Match and shall
be used in the calculation of percentage.
(iii) The Team with the highest score shall be declared the winner and
awarded the four (4) Premiership Points.
If a Finals Series Match is unable to commence for reasons beyond the control
of the Club, the Executive General Manager Football shall reschedule the Finals
Series Match so that a result can be obtained.
(i) If a Finals Series Match has commenced but is not able to proceed for
reasons beyond the control of the Club, at any time within the time
scheduled for the Finals Series Match, the teams shall depart from the
Arena for a period of up to 60 minutes.
(ii) Subject to Regulation 33.3(c), if the Finals Series Match is unable to re-
commence within a 60 minute period or such other period determined by
the AFL, the Executive General Manager Football shall reschedule the
Finals Series Match so that a result can be obtained.
to reschedule the Match so that a result can be obtained. If the Match cannot
be rescheduled, the Match will be declared a draw.
Any Player who is injured during a Match and who, in the opinion of the Club Medical
Officer or Club Physiotherapist, requires the assistance of a Stretcher or medicart, shall
be attended by Club training staff and a Stretcher as soon as possible so as to ensure
the health and safety of the Player.
A Stretcher may only be called by the Club Medical Officer or Club Physiotherapist as
listed on the Official Team Sheet provided that if the Club Medical Officer or Club
Physiotherapist are unavailable at a time when a Player requires the assistance of a
Stretcher, a Trainer listed on the Official Team Sheet or a Medical Officer of the other
Club may call for a Stretcher.
(a) Subject to Regulation 34.3(b) if a Stretcher is called for, the Stretcher must be
taken to the injured Player by the shortest and most direct route and the Player
must, as soon as possible upon being attended by the Club training staff, leave
the Arena on the Stretcher by the shortest and most direct route.
(c) Without limiting the provisions of this Regulation, a Player for whom a Stretcher
is called must leave the Playing Surface immediately upon a direction by a field
Umpire that the Player be so removed unless the Club Medical Officer notifies
the field Umpire that it would be dangerous to do so. On being removed from
the Playing Surface by a Stretcher, the Player may be taken to the Club's
dressing room or medical room for examination and treatment.
A Player for whom a Stretcher is called, even if he or she does not leave the Playing
Surface on the Stretcher, shall not resume playing for a period of 20 minutes of play
(including time on but excluding the quarter-time, half-time and three quarter time
breaks) from the time when the Player left the Arena. Nothing in this Regulation
derogates from a Club’s responsibility to comply with Rule 26.2 in relation to
examination by a Club Medical Officer.
note the time elapsed between the Player being removed from and re-entering the
Playing Surface.
34.6 Breach
(a) the Player for whom the Stretcher is called does not leave the Playing Surface
as soon as possible after being attended by Club training staff; or
(b) the Player for whom the Stretcher is called is not removed from the Playing
Surface immediately upon a direction by a field Umpire that the Player be so
removed save where the Club Medical Officer notifies the field Umpire that it
would be dangerous to do so; or
(c) the Stretcher is not taken to the injured Player or the injured Player is not
removed from the Playing Surface to the Club’s dressing room or medical room
by the shortest and most direct route or otherwise in accordance with Regulation
34.3.
(d) the Executive General Manager Football determines in their absolute discretion
the Stretcher has been called primarily for tactical use,
Sanction: up to 25 Units
Where a Player resumes playing within a period of 20 minutes (including time on but
excluding the quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter time breaks) from the time when
the Player was removed from the Playing Surface, a Free Kick and Fifty Metre Penalty
will be awarded to the opposition Club. The penalty will be applied from where the ball
was at the time that the Player re-entered the Playing Surface. The Player involved will
also be ordered from the Playing Surface until such time as the full 20 minutes has
elapsed and the Club may be liable for a further sanction.
Sanction: Up to 50 Units;
(a) A Club shall not use a motorised device for conveying an injured Player
(“motorised conveyance”) unless it has first obtained the written approval of the
Executive General Manager Football.
Sanction: Up to 50 Units
(b) The Executive General Manager Football may have regard to any matters which
they consider relevant in exercising their discretion to approve or disapprove the
use of a motorised conveyance including without limitation:
(ii) whether the motorised conveyance will allow the Player to be safely
removed from the Arena;
(iv) whether the Trainers and other medical staff of a Club (including the
driver) have received sufficient training in the use of the motorised
conveyance.
(c) The Executive General Manager Football may, without being obliged to do so,
consult with the AFL Medical Officer prior to exercising their discretion to
approve or disapprove the use of a motorised conveyance.
(d) The Executive General Manager Football may impose, vary or revoke any
conditions or requirements relating to the use of a motorised conveyance.
Where a Club fails to comply with any condition or requirement so imposed, the
Club shall be liable to a sanction.
Sanction: Up to 50 Units
(e) A Club shall not display or otherwise promote any name, trademark, logo or
advertising on a motorised conveyance.
Sanction: Up to 50 Units
(i) An approved motorised conveyance shall only enter the Arena to attend
an injured Player after the Field Umpire has stopped play and a Stretcher
has been called for by the Club Medical Officer or Club Physiotherapist.
(iii) A Club shall ensure that any approved motorised conveyance shall take
an injured Player directly to the Club’s change rooms and shall not return
to the Arena until it is called for the use of another Player.
34.9 Injured player exits the Playing Surface outside of the Interchange
Gates
In the case that a Player is injured on field and the Club Medical Officer determines
that it is in the Player’s best interests to exit the Playing Surface outside of the
Interchange Gates and take them directly to the Club dressing rooms (whether by
stretcher or not), the Club Interchange Steward must advise the AFL Interchange
113
Official of the situation including the name of the Player. The Emergency Umpire will
communicate with the Field Umpire to stop play and once approved by the Emergency
Umpire the replacement Player may enter the Playing Surface via the Interchange
Gates. The injured Player who exited outside the Interchange Gates must not return
to the Playing Surface unless declared fit by the Club’s Medical Officer and until 20
minutes of playing time, excluding breaks, has elapsed since the Player left the Playing
Surface.
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No Club shall, by itself or its Officers, any Coach, servant or agent, permit or allow any
Player to play or train or continue to play in any Match or train where it suspects or
where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that such Player:
(b) is not in a fit state to play or continue to play, having due regard to their health
and safety; or
(c) pursuant to any guidelines issued by the AFL should not continue to play or
train.
(a) has suffered an injury which may cause the Player not to be responsible for his
or her actions; or
(b) is not in a fit state to play or continue to play or train, having due regard for his
or her health or safety,
the Club shall immediately cause such Player to be examined by its Club Medical
Officer and unless such Club Medical Officer certifies that the Player is cognisant of
and responsible for his or her actions or in a fit state to play or train having due regard
for his or her health and safety, the Player shall not play or train or to continue to play
in any Match or train and no Club or any Officer or Coach shall permit, allow or direct
any such Player to play or train or continue to play in any Match in which the Club is
engaged or continue to train.
(a) A Player who receives intravenous fluid rehydration must not play or continue
to play in any Match for a period of 24 hours following the completion of the
rehydration and until the Player receives a clearance from the Club Medical
Officer. No Club or any Officer or Coach shall permit, allow or direct any such
Player to play or continue to play in any Match in which the Club is engaged for
a period of 24 hours following the completion of the rehydration and until the
Player receives a clearance from the Club Medical Officer.
(b) If a Player is notified that he or she must give a sample for testing in accordance
with the AFL Anti-Doping Code, such Player shall not receive and no Club or
any Officer or Coach shall permit, allow or direct any such Player to receive
intravenous fluid rehydration until after the Player has given the sample for
testing unless the Player is permitted to receive intravenous fluid rehydration
115
under the Intravenous Fluid Rehydration guidelines published by the AFL from
time to time.
(a) In this Regulation 35.4, “Personal Injury” has the same meaning given to that
term in the AFL’s public liability insurance policy in place from time to time.
(b) If for whatever reason the AFL is not fully and unconditionally indemnified under
its public liability insurance policy for any Personal Injury which a Player may
sustain from training for or participating in the AFL Competition, the relevant
Club must not allow the Player to train for or participate in the AFL Competition
from and upon receipt by the Club of a notice from the AFL to the effect that the
AFL is not so indemnified.
(c) If:
(i) the AFL is not for whatever reason, fully and unconditionally indemnified
under its public liability insurance policy for any Personal Injury which a
Player may sustain from training for or participating in the AFL
Competition; or
(ii) the General Counsel is of the opinion that the AFL will or may not for
whatever reason be fully and unconditionally indemnified under its public
liability insurance policy for any Personal Injury which a Player may
sustain from training for or participating in the AFL Competition,
then the General Counsel may make such determination or take such action as
they, in their absolute discretion, thinks fit, to give effect to Regulation 35.4(b).
If a Club or Player of a Club fails to comply with any determination or action of
the General Counsel under this Regulation 35.4(c), the Club shall be liable to a
sanction.
"Active Bleeding" means the existence of an injury or wound which continues to bleed.
Active Bleeding does not include minor bleeding from a graze or scratch which has
abated and can be readily removed from a Player or any part of their uniform.
(i) a Player must not remain on the Playing Surface for so long as he or she
is Actively Bleeding;
(ii) a Club or Team must not allow any of its Players to remain on the Playing
Surface for so long as the Player is Actively Bleeding;
(b) Unless immediate treatment needs to be given having due regard to a Player's
health and safety, a Club or Team must not allow any Player who is Actively
Bleeding to be treated on the Playing Surface.
(a) Where a field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player is Actively Bleeding the field
Umpire must:
(ii) direct the Player concerned to immediately leave the Playing Surface;
(b) Where a Player is directed by a field Umpire to leave the Playing Surface
because he or she is Actively Bleeding, the following procedure shall apply:
(i) without limiting the obligations imposed on a Club and Player under
Regulations 36.1 and 36.2, the Player must immediately leave the
Playing Surface through the Interchange area;
(B) the injury is securely bound to ensure the all blood is contained;
(C) any blood stained article of uniform has been removed and
replaced; and
(D) any blood on any part of a Player’s person has been thoroughly
cleaned and removed.
(iii) a Team may replace the bleeding Player with an Interchange Player, who
must enter the Playing Surface by the interchange area and take up their
playing position within 30 seconds of the field Umpire signalling and
directing the bleeding Player to leave the Playing Surface;
(iv) the AFL Interchange Official shall record the time and inform the
emergency Umpire (or in their absence the third boundary or goal
Umpire), when the 30 seconds allowed for the interchange of Players
has elapsed. The emergency Umpire shall in turn signal to the field
Umpire that the 30 second period has elapsed; and
(v) upon receiving the signal that the 30 second period has elapsed, the field
Umpire shall re-commence play provided the bleeding Player has left the
Playing Surface and it is otherwise safe to do so. The field Umpire shall
re-commence play irrespective of the position of the interchange Player.
(c) Where a Player refuses to or does not immediately leave the Playing Surface
when directed to do so by a field Umpire, the following will apply:
(i) the field Umpire must warn the Player that a Free Kick will be awarded
and that the Player may be reported if he or she does not leave the
Playing Surface;
(ii) if the Player still refuses to leave the Playing Surface, the field umpire
must award a Free kick to the Player of the opposing Team who is
nearest to where the warning was given or where play was stopped,
whichever is the greatest penalty;
(A) the field Umpire shall report the Player for misconduct in failing to
follow a direction of an Umpire;
(B) the Match will immediately end and be forfeited by the reported
Player's Team; and
(C) Law 11.2 of the Laws of Australian football will apply to any Match
which is forfeited.
Where a field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player is not Actively Bleeding, but the
Player has blood on any part of their body or uniform, the following will apply:
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(a) at the first available opportunity, the field Umpire must signal and direct the
Player to obtain treatment. After the signal is given, play will continue;
(b) the Player may remain on the Playing Surface after the signal is given by the
field Umpire, but must immediately:
(i) in the case of blood being on any part of their uniform, have the piece of
uniform removed and replaced; and/or
(ii) in the case of blood being on any part of their body, have the blood
removed and the cause of any bleeding (if any), treated and covered so
that all blood is contained;
(c) if after treatment, the field Umpire is of the opinion that blood is still appearing
on any part of the Players' body or uniform, the Player is deemed to be Actively
Bleeding and Law 24.3 will apply.
(a) A Player's refusal to promptly obey a direction of a field Umpire given under Law
24.3 or 24.4 is a Reportable Offence;
(b) Any fine, period of suspension or other sanction determined by the Tribunal or
Appeal Board shall be in addition to any sanction which may be imposed upon
a Player under Regulation 36.2.
A Player awarded a Mark or Free Kick may kick the football after the field Umpire has
signalled that play has come to an end, even though he or she is at that time Actively
Bleeding. However, this Regulation is subject to Law 15.6 of the Laws of Australian
Football.
Regardless of any other provision in this Regulation 36, if a Player intentionally smears
or otherwise causes blood to be placed on another Player's body or uniform, the field
Umpire must immediately stop play and allow that Player such time as is necessary to
have the blood removed or item of uniform removed and replaced.
Each Club or Team must ensure that any doctor, Trainer and any other person treating
Players of a Team wear protective gloves as may be approved from time to time by the
AFL.
(a) any bloodied item of uniform or clothing of a Player is placed as soon as possible
in a hygienic sealed container and laundered to ensure the removal of all blood;
and
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(b) all towels, wipes, bandages, dressings and other materials used in the treatment
of bleeding Players must be placed in a hygienic sealed container and discarded
or destroyed in a hygienic manner.
Each Club or Team must ensure that all dressing rooms and other areas occupied by
the Teams prior to, during or immediately following the completion of any Match are
kept clean and that no blood shall remain on any surface, equipment, hand basin, toilet,
shower, bath or other area. All such surfaces, equipment and areas shall be cleansed
and disinfected immediately after contact with blood.
36.11 Hygiene
(a) Players do not urinate (other than in a toilet) in or about any dressing rooms,
interchange bench area or on the Playing Surface prior to, during or immediately
following the completion of any Match; and
36.12 Trainers
Unless Regulation 36.4 applies, a Trainer or other personnel responsible for the
treatment of Players shall not provide treatment to a Player on the Playing Surface for
any cut, abrasion or other injury involving the discharge of blood.
(For changes after the lodgement of team sheet and prior to the commencement of the match)
1. PLAYER(S) TO BE REPLACED
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
Name: No.:
___________________________________________________________________
2) Description of the medical condition of Player (Note: A report from a duly qualified medical
practitioner as to the medical condition of the Player must be attached).
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________
Approval/Disapproval of AFL Medical Officer on Date: _______________________________
Signed: _______________________________
Approved/Disapproved by
Executive General Manager Football on Date: _______________________________
Signed: _______________________________
125
1 Classifiable Offences
(a) Which Reportable Offences are Classifiable Offences?
Classifiable Offences
Charging Tripping
Rough Conduct
The MRO will grade Classifiable Offences in accordance with the following table:
3+ Matches
High/Groin
(Tribunal)
Severe
2+ Matches
Body
(Tribunal)
High/Groin 2 Matches
High
Careless Body 1 Match
High/Groin 1 Match
Medium
Body Fine*
High/Groin Fine*
Low
Body Fine*
* Refer (e) below for the low-level fine structure
1. Conduct
In considering a charge in respect of a Classifiable Offence, there will be a
determination as to whether the Player’s conduct has been Intentional or
Careless. If the Player’s conduct is found to fall short of being careless no
charge will be laid against the Player.
Note:
For the purpose of categorising Careless conduct, the following is provided
in respect of Laws 22.2.2(a)(v) (Rough Conduct) and 22.2.2(a)(vi) (Front-
On Contact):
Front-On Contact
Bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent from front-on when that
opponent has his head down over the ball is a Reportable Offence. Unless
Intentional, such conduct will be deemed to be Careless, unless:
the player was contesting the ball and it was reasonable for the
player to contest the ball in that way; or
the bump or forceful contact was caused by circumstances outside
the control of the player which could not reasonably be foreseen.
A Player can bump an opponent’s body from side-on but any contact
forward of side-on will be deemed to be front-on. A Player with his head
down in anticipation of winning possession of the ball or after contesting
the ball will be deemed to have his head down over the ball for the
purposes of this Law.
2. Impact
Consideration will be given as to whether the Impact is Low, Medium, High
or Severe. In determining the level of Impact, regard will be had to the
following factors:
Low Impact is the minimum impact required for a Classifiable Offence and
this requires more than just a negligible impact. The MRO may however
consider the potential to cause injury to upgrade Impact from negligible to a
higher level of impact.
3. Contact
Regard will be had to whether Contact to the Victim Player was High/to the
Groin or to the Body. In the interests of protecting the health and welfare of
Players, sanctions for head-high contact and contact to the groin will be
more severe.
High contact is not limited to contact to the head and includes contact above
the shoulders.
Contact to the Groin includes contact to the crease or hollow at the junction
of the inner part of each thigh with the trunk together with the adjacent region
and including the testicles.
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Where contact is both High and to the Body, the contact will be classified as
High.
For Classifiable Offences where the sanction is fixed at one, two or three
matches of suspension, there is no reduction in sanction for an early guilty plea.
The sanction for a low-level Classifiable Offence (those resulting in a fine) will be
decreased by a fixed percentage where a Player submits an early guilty plea
(refer section (e) below).
A Player charged with a Classifiable Offence may contest that charge at the
Tribunal in its entirety or may seek to downgrade the charge. A Player who
successfully contests a charge will not receive a sanction or will receive a lesser
sanction in respect of the charge. The Tribunal may also determine that the
relevant offence should be classified differently under the Table of Offences. If
exceptional and compelling circumstances apply which would make it
inappropriate or unreasonable to apply the outcome of the classification under
the Table of Offences, the Tribunal may impose a sanction in their absolute
discretion.
Low-Level Classifiable
Sanction Early Guilty Plea
Offence
First offence $3,000 $2,000
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The sanction for Classifiable Offences will not be automatically increased where a
Player has a bad record. However, the MRO has the discretion to directly refer the
Player to the Tribunal in their absolute discretion, which includes as a result of a
bad record at AFL or State League level.
Players will not automatically receive a reduced sanction for a good record.
However, if a Classifiable Offence is contested or referred to the Tribunal, a
Player with an exemplary record could argue that their good record constitutes
exceptional and compelling circumstances (which would make it inappropriate to
apply the consequences in the Table of Offences to the determined
classification). This record refers only to matches played at AFL or State League
level. In such circumstances, the Jury members would determine the appropriate
sanction in their absolute discretion.
Direct Tribunal Offences are those Reportable Offences (specified in the table
below) which are referred by the MRO directly to the Tribunal for determination
without grading (ie without an assessment of the offence using the Classification
Table):
Eye Gouging
Stomping
Striking an Umpire
Spitting on or at an Umpire
Serious Misconduct
(b) Determination of Direct Tribunal Offences
The Tribunal will determine Direct Tribunal Offences as it would any other offence
which is referred to it.
The Tribunal will determine the appropriate sanction for a Direct Tribunal Offence
in its absolute discretion. The Chairperson will communicate Tribunal outcomes
with a verbal explanation briefly outlining the reasons for the decision, developed
in conjunction with the Jury.
Attempt to Strike/ Kick/ Trip $1,500 ($1,000) $2,500 ($1,500) $4,000 ($2,500)
Careless Contact with an Umpire $1,500 ($1,000) $2,500 ($1,500) $4,000 ($2,500)
Interfering with Player Kicking for Goal $1,000 ($500) $1,500 ($1,000) $2,500 ($1,500)
Not Leaving Playing Surface $1,000 ($500) $1,500 ($1,000) $2,500 ($1,500)
Any Other Act of Misconduct that is not a The financial sanction for a first, second, third or subsequent act of
Classifiable Offence or Direct Tribunal Offence misconduct will be determined by the MRO in its absolute discretion.
131
The increased sanctions for second, third or subsequent Fixed Financial Offences will only
apply where a Player has been found guilty of the same Fixed Financial Offence within
the previous two AFL Years, except for Engaging in a Melee and Wrestling charges, where
the record for these offences will be considered jointly.
If the offence ordinarily attracts a sanction of two or more matches, then it will be
referred directly to the Tribunal, where the Tribunal will determine the appropriate
sanction in its absolute discretion (penalty at large).
The sanction for the following Fixed Financial Offences will be doubled.
Engaging in a Melee
Instigator of a Melee
Engaging in Wrestling
6 AFL Years
A reference to any previous period of AFL Years will be a reference to the period
calculated retrospectively from the round in which a Player has been found guilty of a
Reportable Offence or Reportable Offences. In the case of the finals, it is calculated by
reference to the same week number in the previous final series.