Australian Rules Football Information | GLoBALL PROGRAM Help Australian Rules Football Information To help you enjoy and understand the game of Australian Rules football here is some basic information, but if you do have any questions please do not hesitate to ask one of our friendly GLoBALL ambassadors at the game! Australian Rules football… Australian Rules football is a home-grown Australian game that is affectionately known as Aussie Rules or Footy. It originated in Australia and is a unique Australian sporting experience as it is not played professionally in any other country! Different countries are however gaining interest in the sport and teams can be found in East Timor, The United States of America, Japan and New Zealand. The game… Essentially, it’s about two opposing teams attempting to kick goals and finish the match with the biggest points tally. A goal is scored when the football is kicked through the taller posts (the goalposts) and is worth 6 points. If the football goes between either of the shorter outside posts (the behind posts), a behind is scored and 1 point is added to that team’s tally. The action continues through four quarters and for close to two hours. Enjoy the spectacle!

Understanding the action… TEAMS: Games involve two teams of 22 players with 18 from each team on the field at any one time with an additional 4 players that it can rotate on and off during the game. There is no limit on how many changes teams can make. DURATION: Games are divided into 4 quarters of 20 minutes. Extra time is added for stops in play so most quarters run for about 30 minutes. Teams swap ends after each quarter. Total game time is about 2 hours. STARTING THE GAME: The game starts when a siren sounds. An umpire then bounces the ball high into the air inthe centre of the ground. One player from each team- ‘ruck men’ then tries to tap the ball to their team mates. The ball is also bounced in the centre to start each quarter and after a goal has been scored. MOVING THE FOOTBALL: Teams try to get the football and then run, kick and handball it towards their goals. If a player marks the ball (catches it), they are entitled to a set kick and the opposition is not allowed to touch him until he plays on. Players can also run with the ball.

TACKLING: A player can win the ball by tackling an opponent. A legal tackle is performed by grabbing an opponent with the ball, below the shoulders and above the knees. Players are not allowed to push an opponent in the back while making a tackle and tackled players must correctly dispose of (pass) the ball within a reasonable time (1 to 2 seconds). A free kick is awarded against a player caught in possession of the ball with a legal (good) tackle. If the tackle is illegal (inappropriate) a free kick will be awarded to the player with the ball. SCORING: The aim of the game is to kick goals. Kicking the ball through the taller middle posts (the goalposts) = 6 points. If the ball goes between a goalpost and the smaller outside posts (the behind posts), a behind (1 point) is scored. The score is written with the goals first, the behinds second, and the total points last. 14 Goals – 9 Behinds – 93 points in total The team that finishes with the highest total of goals and behinds is the winner. POSITIONS: Teams line – up in ‘lines’ of 3 players across the ground.

They are: Backline There are also 3 other players who rove around the ground. UMPIRES: There are 3 field umpires who control the game. There are also umpires in each goal and boundary umpires who decide when the ball has gone out and then throw it back in. Extra information… BOUNCING - A player running with the ball must bounce or touch the ball on the ground every 15m. HANDBALL - A handball involves holding the football in one hand and hitting it with the clenched fist of the other hand. MARK- Awarded when a player catches a kick that has travelled at least 15m on the full and has not been touched by any player. As for a free kick the player may go back and dispose of the ball unimpeded by the opposition. HOLDING THE BALL - Players cannot throw the ball or drop the ball. Players must pass the ball by foot or hand or they can be penalised for ‘holding the ball’. The umpire will definitely award this penalty if a player has opportunity to pass the ball. The shout of ‘BALL!!” is perhaps the most common cry from football crowds.

It generally means the player has been tackled before he released the ball and had opportunity to do so. Or that he dropped the ball. HOLDING THE MAN - A free kick is awarded to a player that has been tackled whilst not in possession of the ball. SHEPPARDING - An opposition player may be shepparded (blocked) from a contest provided he is within 5m of the contest. This is done by standing between the opposition player and your teammate with the ball. 50m PENALTY - Awarded by the umpire when a player disputes umpires decision, abuses an umpire or does not return the ball to the opposition correctly after a penalty awarded (i.e. must give the ball back on the full –not place on the ground or throw away). THE LEAGUE - The Australian football League (AFL) has 18 teams. Teams come from across Australia and include: Adelaide Crows Aussie Rules Football: How To Play Australian Rules Football | Rules of Sport Contact Aussie Rules Football Rules Aussie Rules has been around since 1841 in some form or another.

Its game that is pretty much exclusively played in Australia and the only professional league of its kind, the Australian Football League (AFL) is also situated there. Many players affectionate with the sport may call it a mix of footy, football, Aussie rules and Australian rules. Object of the Game The object of the game is to kick the football between a series of 4 goal posts. Depending on which posts the ball goes between will depend on how many points you score. The ball can be passed around between team mates in a series of fashions and the winning team will be the team with the highest number of points at the end of the game. Players & Equipment Aussie rules pitches are usually played on oval sized pitches with dimensions ranging from 135 to 185 metres in length, and 110 to 155 metres in width. Many Aussie Rules pitches mix with cricket fields as they or of a similar size and proportion. The pitches are marked around the outside to highlight the out of bounds area. At either end of the pitch 4 tall posts will be apparent. These are the scoring zones and are roughly 6 metres in height.

The two front posts are 6.4 metres apart and represent the main scoring area (goal). The two post behind are also 6.4 metres apart and represent the secondary scoring area (point). The ball is made from leather and forms an oval shape (similar to a rugby ball). Other markings on the pitch include a goal square that is 9 metres wide and spanning with width of the goals posts, centre square and centre circle. Each team will consist of 18 players of which are all assigned to different positions. These players are allowed to move freely on the pitch. Each team may also have up to three substitutes which are ‘rolling’ meaning they can come on and off as many times as they want. Once a starting player gets substituted these players then become rolling. The positions are broken down into Full Forward, Half Forward, Centre Line, Half Back and Full Back. There are 7 umpires for Aussie Rules in total. The three main umpires are known as filed umpires and they basically oversee all the decisions on filed such as time keeping, infringements and enforcing the rules. The two line judges are there to see if the ball goes out of play or not – these judges can also intervene where on filed umpires have missed a decision.

The last two umpires are goal umpires and its their job to signal if a goal has been scored successfully or not. Scoring If the ball is kicked between the two goal posts (middle posts) then 6 points are awarded. If the ball goes between a goal post and one of the behind posts (point) then 1 point is awarded. 1 point is also awarded if the ball is carried or forced over the scoring line by the attacking team. Winning the Game The team with the highest amount of points at the end of the game are deemed the winners. Rules of Aussie Rules Football Umpires signal for all decisions and their call is final By kicking the ball between the goal posts without it being touched by any other player, then 6 points are awarded. If the ball is kicked without being touched between the behind posts (point) then 1 point is scored. A game consist of four 20 minute quarters. The game starts with ruck. This is where the umpire throws the ball into the air and one player from each team will try and tap the ball to their team. After a goal has been scored the game will be restarted with the same way as at the beginning of the game.

The only way you can pass the ball is to hand ball. For this to happen the ball must be placed in the palm of the hand and then the ball struck with the butt of the other hand clenched into a fist. You cannot throw or slap the ball to perform a successful pass. A player can ‘mark’ the ball when they receive it. This can happen one of three ways; the player catches the ball without the ball bouncing, the player catches the ball after it has travelled over 10 metres or the player catches the ball before it’s been touched in the air. Once marked the player cannot then be tackled. If a tackle occurs or an opponent steps over the mark then a foul will be called and the team with the ball will advance 15 metres down the field. Players can tackle opponents to try and win back the ball. A player can only be tackled from shoulder height downwards. If a player is tackled and refuses to let go of the ball then holding the ball will be called by the umpire and possession will be turned over. Players are permitted to block their opposition by shepherding players away from the ball. This can only be done within 5 metres of the ball.

Players are omitted from pushing their opponents in the back either whilst they are running or whilst in a tackle. Australian Rules Football Frequently Asked Questions 1/4 Introduction to Australian Rules Football 0.1 What is Australian Rules Football ? Australian Rules Football (also "Aussie Rules" or "footy") is a physical contact sport. It is a form of football with roots traceable from early forms of Rugby and Gaelic football, but it is uniquely Australian. Its rules were codified in 1858, and probably predate all other modern forms of football, such as American, Canadian, Rugby Union and League, Association (Soccer) and Gaelic football. Today it is a multi-million dollar business, with a National Competition and numerous smaller leagues. Interest in the game is generally at an all time high within Australia, yet despite this, some parts of Australia are still lukewarm in support of their team in the AFL, and the game has yet to take a firm hold overseas. 0.2 Where is Aussie Rules played ? Australia is divided into 6 states and 2 territories.

Aussie Rules is the main code of football in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and has a strong following in the Australian Capital Territory. Although played in the States of Queensland and New South Wales, it runs second string to Rubgy League in terms of popularity in those states. The AFL provides financial or practical assistance to leagues in Britain, Canada, Denmark, Japan and New Zealand. 0.3 Are there any net sites for Aussie Rules Football material ? The ftp site at the CSIRO has closed as Geoff Lamb (site maintainer) has taken a new position elsewhere. There are several WWW Page's for Australian Rules Football resources. A link to most sites canbe found below; 0.4 History of the FAQ The first creation of the FAQ for r.s.f.a was mooted in October 1994. The work to write the FAQ was done by Adam East, a student at the University of Western Australia. Versions 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 were posted to r.s.f.a over the next 2 months, and modifications were made according to feedback received. The FAQ was put onto the FTP site in November 1994.

The first official version (v1.0) of the FAQ was finalised on 16 December 1994. V1.1 - 2 Feb 95. V1.2 - 22 Mar 95. V1.3 - 7 Apr 95. Further revisions will be made periodically as major events happen. This version (1.5) was updated and converted to HTML by Darryl Harvey and is current at the end of the 1997 season and is maintained at the WWW site of Comments are welcome, as are suggestions for corrections or additions. Section 1.0 The Rules of Australian Football 1.0 What are the rules of the game ? 1.1 The Game 1.1.1 Length of game is 4 quarters of 20 minutes playing time. When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, time is added on to the playing time of the quarter. This is referred to as 'time on'.

(Game length used to be 4 quarters of 25 minutes, but was changed in 1994 to 20 minutes, with the allowance for additional time-on when the ball is out-of-bounds : see 1.6.6) 1.1.2 A maximum interval of 3 minutes is allowed between the first and second quarters for the teams to change ends. 1.1.3 The half-time interval is a maximum of 20 minutes with players being allowed to leave the ground for not more than 15 minutes. 1.1.4 A maximum interval of 5 minutes is allowed between the third and fourth quarters. 1.1.5 Teams change ends at the end of each quarter. 1.1.6 The team scoring the most point wins the game. The match is drawn if points are equal. 1.2 Playing Field and Equipment 1.2.1 Playing area of oval shape. Between 135 and 185 metres in length and 110 and 155 metres in width. (NFC suggests ideal dimensions are 165m length by 135m width.) 1.2.2 Boundary is marked with a white line.

1.2.3 Goal square (actually a rectangle) extending 9 metres in length from the goal posts, 6.4 metres in width. 1.2.4 Centre square at midway part of oval, 45 metres each side. 1.2.5 Centre circle at centre of oval, 3 metres in diameter, bisected by lateral line extending 2 metres either side of the diameter. 1.2.6 Goal and Behind posts. Cofiguration of 4 posts at the two opposing ends of the ground. Consisting of 2 goal posts, set 6.4 metres apart on the boundary line. Two behind posts each set 6.4 metres either side of the goal posts on the boundary line. Goal posts minimum height of 6 metres.Behind posts minimum height of 3 metres. All posts padded to a height of 2 metres. 1.2.7 The Ball. Made from leather, tan (day use) or yellow (night use) in colour. Length 270 - 280 mm. Diameter 167 - 173 mm.

Circumference between 720 - 735 mm by 545 - 555 mm. Approximate weight: 450 - 500 grams (Dryweight inflated ball.) 1.3 1.3.1 A team consists of 18 players with three interchange players. 1.3.2 Players may be interchanged at any time during the match. 1.3.3 Although players have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground when play is in progress. 1.3.4 Player positions. There are 5 general areas of play, referred to as a 'line'. Three players form each line and are usually designated as being in either the left, centre or right position in each line. Full Forward: L.Fwd.Pocket Full-Forward R.Fwd.Pocket Half Forward: L.Half.Fwd C.Half.Fwd R.Half.Fwd Centre Line : Left-Wing Centre Right-Wing Half Back : L.Half.Back C.Half.Back R.Half.Back Full Back : L.BackPocket Full-Back R.Back.Pocket 1.3.5 Purposes of player positions.

All players should contest the ball when its within their vicinity (unless playing to alternative coaching instructions). Other general purposes of player positions according to line are: Full Forward: Attack the goal Trap the ball in the area Half Forward: Attack the goal Set up scoring shots Full back: Hold the ball in the area Attack - clear ball forwards 1.3.6 Player Uniforms: Team to wear guernseys of identical club colours and design. Exception, long sleeved versions of normal guernseys are permitted. Each guernsey bears a different number, allocated to a player for the season, or possibly career (numbers have no relationship to position or function.) Teams wear white coloured shorts when playing away from their home ground for easier identification. Full length socks in team colours. Standard design boot. No padding is worn. Mouthgards, protective head-gear (soft) and shin guards are allowable. Other protection requires prior approval. Jewellery is not permitted to be worn. 1.4 The Umpires 1.4.1 There are three central or field umpires, who have full control of the game. Major responsibilities of the field umpires are to start play, award marks and free kicks, and generally enforce the rules of the game.

In carrying out their responsibilities, the field umpires each control roughly one third of the ground. The umpire in the third where the ball is currently being disputed is the umpire in charge at any one time, however either of the other field umpires may bring attention to infringements of the rules that occur 'behind the play'. 1.4.2 The two boundary umpires judge when the ball is out of the playing area, and also return the ball to the center of the ground after a goal has been scored. The boundary umpires patrol one side of the ground each. They take positions at diagonally opposite corners of the centre square when the ball is bounced in the centre square at the start of each quarter or after a goal is scored. at the centre bounces, the boundary umpires are responsible for detecting players who enter the centre square illegally. 1.4.3 The two goal umpires judge, signal, and record all scores in a match. Two flags are waved to indicate a goal, and one flag is used to indicate a behind. The flags are waved to indicate to the other goal umpire the score.

The goal umpire also indicates to the field umpire what the score is by indicating with one finger for a behind and two fingers (one out-stretched on each hand) for a goal. Before the goal umpire can indicate the score, the field umpire signals to him that no infingemants have occurred so that a score may be added. This is why the goal umpire looks around sometimes before signalling a score. 1.4.4 Changing of Decisions: Field umpires cannot alter a decision once it has been made, except by a further breach of the rules by a player or team official. Goal umpires can correct mistakes prior to restart of play. Goal umpires take precedence over boundary umpires in vicinity of the goal area.The goal umpire indicates this to the boundary umpire by tapping his chest with his hand. 1.5 Scoring 1.5.1 A ball kicked between the two larger goal posts without being touched is a goal and score six points.

Goal post -- | | -- Goal post | | | | | | | | Behind post -- | | | | -- Behind post 1.5.2 If the ball passes between a goal post and a behind post then it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. 1.5.3 If the ball hits the goal post, a behind is scored. This is regardless of where the ball goes after hitting the goal post e.g back into the field of play, through the goals or whatever. Play stops as soon as the ball hits the goal post, and is restarted by a kick-in. See 1.6.5a. 1.5.4 If the ball is forced, or carried, but not kicked over the scoring line by the attacking team, anywhere between the goal posts, a behind is scored. 1.5.5 If the ball hits a behind post without bouncing it is deemed 'out on the full' and the opposing team takes a free kick from next to the behind post.If the ball bounces and hits the behind post then the ball is thrown into play again by the boundary umpire from next to the behind post. In both cases no points are scored.

1.5.6 If the ball is kicked or forced over the scoring line between the goal post and the behind post by any player, then a behind is scored. 1.6 Starting and Restarting Play 1.6.1 Teams determine the choice of goal by tossing a coin. 1.6.2 The field umpire starts play by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. 1.6.3 At the start of play, no player may enter the center circle, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square until after the ball has been bounced. 1.6.4 After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above. 1.6.5 The other common situations when play is restarted are: (a) After a behind has scored. Any player of the defending team kicks the ball from within the kick-off 'square' in front of goal, but only after the goal umpire has finished waving his flags. The player must *kick* the ball out to restart play.

Goal post -- | | -- Goal post | | | | | | | | Behind post -- | | | | -- Behind post / --------------- \ / | | \ |___| - Goal 'square' (b) After the ball has gone out of bounds (outside the boundary line).If the ball bounced, then the boundary umpire throws the ball into play by throwing it over his head towards the center of the ground.If the ball did not bounce and went over the boundary line as a result of a kick that was not touched, the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot from where the ball went out. The closest player from the opposing team takes the free kick. (c) When a pack of players prevents either team gaining clear possession.The umpire bounces the ball where play came to a halt. 1.6.6 Each quarter runs for 20 minutes of playing time when the ball is in play.The ball is deemed to be out of play in the following situations: (a) A goal is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flags to when the ball is bounced. (b) A behind is scored.

Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flag to when the ball is kicked in. (c) The ball goes out of bounds. Time is stopped from when the ball goes over the boundary line until the boundary umpire throws the ball back into play. (d) Whenever the field umpire signals to the time-keeper that time is to be stopped by raising his arm and blowing his whistle. 1.6.7 Out of Bounds: A ball that has gone completely over the boundary line is considered out of bounds. If any portion of the ball is on or over the boundary line, the ball is still in play. A player can be over the boundary line and in possession of the ball without the ball being considered 'out of bounds' given part of the ball is still in play. 1.7 Possession and Disposal of the Ball 1.7.1 A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent. 1.7.2 A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession. 1.7.3 A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it on the ground once every 15 metres.

1.7.4 A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball. 1.7.5 To handball correctly, a player must hold the ball in one hand and hit it with the clenched fist of the other hand. The hand holding must not move relative to the players body. 1.7.6 A mark is allowed when the ball is caught from a kick which has travelled a minimum distance of 10 meters, and the ball has travelled in the air without being touched by another player. The player taking the mark may play on immediately, or go back and kick over the position where he took the mark. 1.7.7 Shepherding. A player may retard the movement of an opposition player towards that of the ball, however it may only be done within 5 metres of the ball. Shepherding allows the opposition player to be pushed in the chest or side, or for the player to place his body between the opposition and the ball (when the player himself is not in posession of the ball.) cf. screens in basketball or blocking in American Football.

1.8 Free Kicks 1.8.1 Free kicks may be given against players either with or without the ball.A free kick is taken at the spot where the infringement occurred.(Exceptions see 1.8.6, 1.8.7) 1.8.2 A free kick is given against the player in possession of the of the ball for the following infringements of the rules: (a) Not disposing of the ball within a reasonable time when held by an opponent. (b) Not disposing of the ball correctly by using a handball or a kick. (c) Kicking the ball over the boundary line without it bouncing first or being touched by another player. (d) Deliberately forcing or taking the ball over the boundary line. (e) Running more than 15 meters without bouncing the ball or touching the ball on the ground. 1.8.3 A free kick is given against any player who: (a) Grabs the opponent with the ball above the shoulder or below the knees. (b) Pushes an opponent in the back. (c) Trips or attempts to trip an opponent. (d) Charges an opponent. (e) Interferes with an opponent attempting to mark in the air by punching or bumping.

(f) Shepherds an opponent when the ball is more than 5 meters away. (g) Enters the center square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play. 1.8.4 Following a free kick or mark, a 50 meter penalty is given against a player standing on the mark who: (a) Refuses to stand on the mark at the point indicated by the umpire. (b) Deliberately wastes time in returning the ball to the player who is to take the kick. (c) Holds the player who is to take the kick thereby preventing play continuing. (d) Runs over the mark before or as the ball is kicked. (Any player in the opposing team can give this penalty) 1.8.5 Kick-in after behind: If a ball is kicked back into play from the goalsquare, following the scoring of a behind, and subsequently goes 'out of bounds' without being touched by a player of either team despite bouncing, it is treated as if having gone out of bounds on the full. The attacking team is awarded a free kick. 1.8.6 Play On: An umpire need not hold up play by awarding a free kick to a player who has been infringed.

Where the player or a team-mate has possession and is in an advantageous position, the umpire calls 'play-on' and allows play to continue. This is referred to as 'paying the advantage'. 1.8.7 Relayed Free Kicks: A player who is infringed upon, immediately following the disposal of the ball, may have a fellow team-mate take the free kick from the spot where the ball landed after being disposed of. This is at the umpires adjudication. 1.9 Why are umpires 'booed' off the ground ? In a large proportion of matches, whenever the umpires leave the field at half-time or the end of the match, the majority of the crowd will 'boo' them as they leave. Although more prevalent at games where the home team is losing (lost) and received controversial umpiring decisions against them, that doesn't explain this common action. Some propose that it comes from Australian's anti-authoritarian feelings as an ex-convict settlement that leads supporters to generally dislike umpires, but now, it comes as almost a tradition that the umpires are hated. 1.10 What is the crowd yelling ?

In a case where there are a large number of supporters for a team, they will try and influence the umpires decision by subtly bringing to attention any infringments of the rules. "MAN" - or 'holding the man' not in possession of the ball (1.8.3f) "HIGH" - when one of your players receives a high tackle (1.8.3a) "BACK" - when one of your players is pushed in the back (1.8.3b) "BALL" - when one of the oppositon players is caught in possession of the ball (1.8.2a) "BULLSH.."- when the umpire misinterprets one of the above. "WEED" - Where ever a large proportion of Adelaide Crows supporters are at a match, they shout "Weed" whenever the Adelaide player Wayne Weideman has posession of the ball. This is a habit peculiar to this player and supporter. "WOOF" - Used by Carlton fans when Ang Christou gets a kick. (also WHOOMP , anybody know what they're actually saying?) "ROO's" - Used by fans when Paul Roos (Sydney Swans) gains possession of the ball.

1.11 Serious infringements of the rules. 1.11.1 Reports. There is no send-off rule at AFL level. Players can be 'reported' by umpires for serious breaches of the rules. The umpire is required to inform the player immediately of such a report. After the game, a report form is detailed by the umpire. 1.11.2 The Tribunal. A reported player, the umpire and the player who was infringed are usually required to appear before the League Tribunal to give evidence about the breach of rules. The Tribunal determines the innocence or guilt of the player based upon the evidence supplied, and any penalty for a player found guilty. This is usually suspension for eligibility to play for a number of games. 1.11.3 Trial-by-video. Reviews of video-tapes of games played that week are also conducted to note any reportable incidents missed by the field umpires. Players can be cited to appear before the Tribunal from these video reviews, as if reported. 1.11.4 Reportable incidents.

Players can be reported for: a) wilfully wasting time b) unduly interfering with a player while he is kicking for goal c) disputing the decision of an umpire d) unduly interfering with, or assaulting, or using abusive threatening or insulting language or behaviour towards an umpire during the progress of a match or within or without the oval on the day of the match. e) assaulting another player f) using abusive, threatening, or insulting language, or otherwise misconducts himself (recent reports of misconduct include biting, eye-gouging and spitting on an opponent). g) shaking a goalpost when a player is preparing to kick for goal or when ball is in transit. h) throwing an opponent after he has taken a mark or ball is out of play. i) violently pushing an opponent after that player has disposed of the ball. j) intentionally triping or kicking (or attempts to) an opponent. 1995 rule change is for tripping by hand to still be an infringement of the rules allowing a free kick or 50 metre penalty, but to not be a reportable offence. Tripping with the leg is still a reportable offence. k) striking (or attempting to) a player with the hand or arm.

l) charging an opponent. m) engaging in unduly rough play n) remaining on the playing area not wearing proper uniform after being warned by the umpire. o) wearing unacceptable equipment - boot studs, rings, jewellery, surgical appliances or guards. 1.12 Criticism of Umpires. Players and team officials are not allowed to make public comments about the umpiring standards or decisions. If they do so, they risk a fine from the League. 1.13 The Blood Rule. A player who is bleeding or who has blood on himself or his uniform is required to leave the ground, at the request of the umpire and have the problem seen to. The player will not be allowed to return until the bleeding has ceased and any blood has been completely removed. This player can be interchanged off the ground, or the umpire can call a halt to play while the player is seen to. The first option is that most commonly used. 1.14 Team Lists. 1.14.1 How many players can a team choose its weekly 21 from? Most teams have 42 players contracted to them from which they can choose their weekly team. They are not allowed to select players not in this 42.

The Sydney Swans have a list of 50 to choose from as a supplement to not being in a Footballer producing state. The Fremantle Dockers as a new expansion team will have a list of 50 to choose from also. 1.14.2 What happens to the players contracted to a team, but that aren't playing that week ? These players go back to play in minor leagues. The 11 Victorian teams and the Sydney Swans have a 'Reserves' team in the VSFL. Players from West Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane and Fremantle, go back to play with their local clubs in their respective State competitions. 1.15 Role of the Coach and the Runner The role of the coach in Aussie Rules is different compared to other sports in that the coach is only able to address his players before the game, and then during the quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter-time intervals. There are no time-outs in Australian Rules. The coach usually sits overlooking the ground, noticing tactical maneuvers and imbalances in the game. When a change in tactics or of players is desired during the actual game, the coach sends his orders to the club's Runner.

The Runner is allowed on the ground during play to communicate to players and relay the coaches instructions. The Runner is often on the ground for large amounts of time such that some Runners are also Assistant Coaches, helping with team decision making. When on the ground during play, the Runner must attempt to remain away from the area of where the ball is being contested. 1.16 Other Team Officials on the Ground During a Game. A team can nominate 5 trainers that are allowed on to the playing field to assist with injured players, or provide help (e.g fluids) to players. Except in the case of an injury, the trainers are only allowed on the ground when there is a pause in the play (e.g. between a goal being scored and the restart of play.) ** 1.17 Team Selection Process Clubs are required to name a list of 21 players with 2 emergencies by 5 PM on Thursday nights. Teams playing on Sundays (or later) are allowed to name an additional 4 players, from which their final 21 must be finalised on Saturdays. The team that represents the club at game time must then consist of these players.

Clubs that play players that weren't listed on the Thursday night risk fines except in exceptional circumstances. This process is so that the media can be informed of the players for that week, as well as for subsidiary markets such as betting, etc. Australian Sports Australian Sports THE SPORTING NATION Australia has in excess of 120 National sporting organizations. There are approximately 7 million people participating regularly in sports. In addition there are many other activities in which Australians participate such as bushwalking, boating, horse riding and gymnasium fitness programs. With a majority of the population within a close proximity of the ocean, there is a high interest in water-based sport from sailing, swimming, and surfing- to triathlons and ironman /woman events. It is also worthy of note that Australia is one of just three Nations to have competed in every Modern Olympics. HISTORY of SPORTS In 1984, The Australian Federal Government funded and established the Australian Sports Commission and this together with a corresponding increase in corporate or commercial sponsorship has seen a rapid increase in high level participation in all forms of sport both at the elite level and the general community level.

The Australian Institute of Sport is now well established in Canberra with smaller more specialized branches in all the States, from which the very best technological and scientific breakthroughs are put into practice. In the past four years for instance the Federal Government allocated $300 M to elite and high-level sport. AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL Australian Rules Football was apparently played first as an organized sport in 1866, and has been played in various versions ever since. Australian Rules Football is played on an oval shaped field with goalposts at each end (Two smaller posts called behind posts and two goal posts in between them). If the ball is kicked in between the two goal posts, a goal, or 6 points is scored. And if the ball goes through a behind post and a goal post a behind, or one point is scored. At the end of the day, the team who scores the largest total of points is the winner. Each game of Australian Rules Football is separated into 4 quarters, each lasting 20 minutes. The clock is stopped when the ball goes out of bounds or other delays caused through injury, so therefore each quarter ends up lasting around 30 minutes.

The ball used in Australian Rules (Or Aussie Rules) is an oval ball similar to that used for American Football or Rugby League. In day games the ball is red, but during night games, the ball is yellow to increase visibility. Both of the two teams involved in playing Aussie Rules are allowed 18 players on the ground at all times and 4 interchange players who can be exchanged with the players on the field. The 18 players are separated into specific positions on the field. There are 3 Forwards, 3 Half Forwards, 3 Centers, 3 Rucks, 3 Half Backs and 3 Backs. There are many leagues around Australia but the major, National league that the top players play, is the Australian Football League, or the AFL. The AFL is over 100 years old ( ) HORSE RACING Often referred to as the ï¿½Sport of Kingsï¿½ horse racing has been a part of Australian way of life since the 1860ï¿½s when the first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861. The first race meeting, however, was held at Parramatta in 1810.

Most States in Australia have at least one International standard race course with associated training facilities but the large cities such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane support numerous such facilities with the best of these located in Melbourne and Sydney. The great handicap race, the Melbourne Cup which commenced in 1861 runs on the first Tuesday of each November. This race, which is a 3200 meter race, has a value of $4 Million ( . MOTOR SPORTS Motor Sports have seen Australians excel to a degree where they have achieved International recognition. The most popular motorsport in Australia is the Australian Touring Car Championships that consist of 13 rounds culminating in the marathon Bathurst 1000 at the Mt Panorama circuit. Much of the interest in this type of racing is generated by the identity of the two major participants, General Motors and Ford- cars that are available in their standard format to the general public ( ). RUGBY LEAGUE The Game of Rugby League was formalized on the 29th August 1895 at Huddersfield in England when the Northern Union league was formed. Currently, many countries play the game with regular Tests.

The World Cup is played by countries such as Australia, England, France, New Zealand and many others competing with Australia the reigning World Cup titleholders for 2000. The team that has the most number of points at the conclusion of play is deemed the winner The game is played over two 40-minute halves. Extra-Time is played sometimes in Finals matches if scores are level at the end of regular time The game is played between 2 teams of 13 players and 4 interchange players with the teamsï¿½ jumpers are numbered according to their position. A Goal is either a conversion after a try or a goal scored from the spot where the referee has awarded a penalty. A Field Goal (1 point) can be scored at any time during general play by drop-kicking the ball over the cross-bar. The kick off:The ball is placed in the middle of the ground and kicked down field. TacklesA team has 6 tackles to score a try. Forward pass The ball cannot travel forward from the hand to a teammate. Knock on: If the ball is propelled forward from the hand and the ball hits the ground this is deemed a knock on and the team will surrender possession.

Scrums: When the ball goes out of play over the sideline or when a forward pass or knock on occurs on the 6th tackle a scrum is formed. Offside:The defending team must be 10 meters away from the opposition in between tackles ( RUGBY UNION Schoolboys at the Rugby School in England supposedly invented Rugby Union football in 1823. At this time a schoolboy called William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran with it and was soon copied by his fellow students. This new game possessed too many different forms until 1871 when rules were developed limiting the player to fifteen people a side and the Rugby Football Union was formed. Today Rugby Union is played in more than 100 countries world wide, and is especially popular in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Australia. Teams: A rugby team consists of fifteen players. There are eight forward players, and seven "backs". The forwards attempt to get the ball by taking part in scrummages, lineouts, rucks and mauls.

The backs usually receive the ball from the forwards, and pass the ball down the line to team members who attempt to reach the far end of the field and touch the ball over it to score a try. The playing area is officially field measuring 100m by 69m. The goal consists of two vertical posts joined by a horizontal bar set 3 meters above ground. The vertical posts are padded at the base of the pole to protect the players from injury when running for the try-line near the poles. Rugby matches are played over two 40 minutes halves. Scoring There are two methods of scoring in Rugby Union, the "try" and the "goal" (which are defined in the RUGBY section above). For a penalty, a kick for goal is an option or the team may play on in an attempt to score a try. A successful kick for goal here is worth 3 points, as is a successful drop penalty goal during play ( WATER SPORTS The Australian population live very close to the sea and the climate promotes a culture that incorporates the sea in many ways.

Some of the water sports Australians are involved in at elite levels down to participatory level are yachting, surfing, ocean swimming, surfing, triathlon, ironman and jet skiing to name a few ( ). TENNIS Australia has a long tradition of highly competitive men and womenï¿½s tennis players, in Singles, Doubles and various Championship level competitions such as the Davis Cup, the Federation Cup the Singles competition, the Wimbledon Championships ( BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Laws & Equipment | How to score points How to score points There are four main ways to score in rugby league: Try - four points A try is worth four points - the maximum number of points you can score in one go in rugby league. It is scored when a player puts the ball on the ground with "downward pressure" (very important) inside the opposition's in-goal area between the try line and dead ball line. If a defender makes an offence while the opposition are about to score a try, then the referee can award a penalty kick in front of the posts after the conversion kick. This means the opposition can score eight points if they are successful in scoring the try, the goal kick and the penalty kick.

But if the try was not scored because of the offence, the referee will award a penalty try in front of the posts, as well as the extra penalty kick. Goal kick - two points A team is awarded a goal kick after a try has been scored. The team has the chance to "convert" the kick at goal for two further points. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try was scored. The kick is successful if the ball goes between the opposition's goalposts and above the crossbar. Penalty - two points The referee will award a penalty when an offence has occurred. A player can punt, drop kick or take a place kick anywhere behind where the offence took place. They also have the choice of kicking for goal or for touch. A kick for goal is worth two points if successful. But to be successful, the ball has to go through the opposition's goalposts, above the crossbar. Two touch judges will raise their flags if the penalty is successfully kicked. If the team who gave away the penalty argue or commit further offences, the referee will punish them by taking the penalty 10 metres forward towards their goal-line. The team kicking also gets a new set of six tackles to play with.

Play is re-started by placing the ball on the ground 10 metres into the field of play, parallel to where the ball went out to touch. Teams can kick in any direction even backwards if they want to find space for a set play. Drop goal - one point A drop goal can be a spectacular way of scoring. If successful it will add one point to a team's score. A drop goal is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition's goal posts, above the crossbar. However, the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked. How are Points Scored in Football? (with pictures) Law How are Points Scored in Football? Originally Written By: Leo J Revised By: A. Joseph Last Modified Date: 18 December 2016 Copyright Protected: Adorable animal families that will make you "aww" There are three main ways for a team to score points in American football: by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line, by possessing the ball or tackling an opposing ballcarrier in the opponent's end zone or by kicking the ball through the opponent's goalposts.

It also is possible for a team to score points under certain circumstances when the opponent commits a penalty in its own end zone or fumbles the ball out of bounds in its own end zone. Each way of scoring has a name and is worth a specific number of points. A touchdown is worth six points, a field goal is worth three points, a safety usually is worth two points, and a try is worth either one or two points. Touchdowns A touchdown is scored when a player has possession of the football and it crosses the opposing team's goal line or when a player gains possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone. When the ball is possessed in the field of play, any part of the ball touching an imaginary plane over the goal line results in a touchdown. For example, a player who is being tackled near the goal line can reach out with the ball and score a touchdown if it crosses the goal line before the player is down. When a player who is already in the end zone gains possession of the ball, such as catching a pass or recovering a fumble, it is a touchdown as long as the player was legally in bounds when he gained possession of the ball.

Tries After a touchdown, the scoring team is given one play to score again from near the goal line. This is called a try and is worth one or two points, depending on how the team scores. At most levels of football, kicking the ball through the goalposts on a try— called an extra-point kick or point-after-touchdown (PAT) — is worth one point, and running or passing the ball into the end zone is worth two points and usually is called a two-point conversion. In some leagues, such as those for youth players, the points awarded for tries are switched, because kicking the ball through the goalposts is considered to be a more difficult task for young players. Other leagues might award one point for a run and two for a pass. At many levels, it also is possible for the defensive team to score a two-point conversion by gaining possession of the ball on a try attempt and carrying the ball into the opponent's end zone. Field Goals If the team that has the ball — the offense — does not score a touchdown, it might be able to kick a field goal. This is the same as an extra-point kick but usually is from a greater distance.

A team usually will attempt a field goals only after exhausting its chances to score a touchdown while still in possession of the ball. One exception is when the team is trailing by three points or less near the end of the game. For example, in the final minute of a game that is tied, the offensive team might not try to score a touchdown if it already is close enough to attempt a relatively easy field goal. Safeties A safety is the least common scoring play in football, and it usually is scored by the team that does not have possession of the ball — the defense. It occurs when an offensive player who has the ball is tackled or goes out of bounds in the offense's own end zone, when a ball that was fumbled or batted by a team goes out of bounds in its own end zone or when the offensive team commits a penalty in its own end zone. It is not a safety, however, if a player gains possession of the football in his team's own end zone and is tackled or goes out of bounds before advancing out of the end zone. One-Point Safeties Another, little-known way of scoring can occur only on a try attempt and is known as a one-point safety.

This happens when the play normally would result in a safety against the defense. For example, if the team that is attempting the try fumbles the ball and a defensive player bats the ball through the defense's end zone and out of bounds, the offensive team would be awarded a one-point safety. Another example would be a defensive player intercepting a pass on a two-point conversion attempt, then running into his own end zone and being tackled. One-point safeties are extremely rare, and some leagues do not even allow them. Ad Australia Post AFL – AFL basics The game AFL stands for Australian Football League . The game is played on an oval-shaped field with scoring posts at each end. There are four scoring posts (the two middle ones are taller than the outside ones) and a score is recorded when the ball is kicked between two of the posts. One point is scored when the ball goes between one of the outside posts and a middle post. This is known as a behind. A goal (worth six points) is scored when the ball goes between the two middle posts. Games are divided into four quarters of 20 minutes, plus extra time. A game is won by the team which has the highest score at the final siren .

The winning team collects four points, to be added to its ranking on the premiership table . A game that ends in a draw results in each team collecting two points. Player being tackled There are quite a few rules to follow when playing Australian Football. Here are a few examples of what players can and cannot do: Players can: kick , handball or tap the football tackle and chase other players kick for goal from anywhere on the oval. Players cannot: push an opponent in the back tackle another player too high (above the shoulders) or too low (below the knees) run too far without bouncing the football (you can only run 15 metres before you have to bounce it, handball it or kick it) trip another player. It takes three types of umpires to umpire an AFL match: goal umpires – they stand at the scoring posts (one at each end of the ground ), watch the ball as it goes between the scoring posts and signal if it is a goal (six points) or a behind (one point). field umpires – they are in charge of the play on the field and blow their whistle if a player breaks the rules, a mark is taken or if play needs to be stopped.

boundary umpires – they signal if the ball goes out of bounds (ie it goes over the outside line around the oval) and then throw it back in. The team Within the defenders you will find a full-back , a centre half-back , two back pockets and two half-backs . In modern-day Australian Football, it is common for players to play in more than one position and defenders can sometimes even kick goals. The season Each season is made up of 23 "home and away" rounds and four rounds of finals games. It runs from (approximately) the end of March until the end of September each year. Only eight teams will make the finals each year. At the end of the 23 "home and away" rounds the top eight teams continue on to the finals. In each round of the finals the number of teams competing decreases as teams lose and are eliminated, until only two are left to battle it out in the AFL grand final. AFL games are played all over Australia: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Launceston, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Cairns. Even cities that do not have their own AFL team (such as Darwin or Hobart) still host games during the season .

So, if you can, get out and see a match live! A full AFL stadium is a sight to behold. People of all ages attend games. You will hear yelling, cheering and singing and see colourful hats, scarves, jumpers and banners, and even people with their faces painted. A full AFL stadium "FOOTBALL" DOWN UNDER M- MELBOURNE (2nd largest city) NOT SHOWN- Australian Capital Territory P- PERTH (and neighboring city, Fremantle) S- SYDNEY (largest city) By Ed Wyatt - After several years writing and appearing on "Almost Live," a popular Seattle comedy show, and hosting a Portland newsmagazine show, my son, Ed worked in Los Angeles for Fox Sports World, concentrating on international soccer - I know, I know - and Australian Rules Football. For the last year and a half, he has been in Australia - he married an Aussie, in case you wondered - working in TV covering soccer, rugby, Australian Rules and the Olympics on Australian TV. He has hosted the Australian broadcast on the SBS network of the Super Bowl, along with Aussie Darren Bennett of the San Diego Chargers.

Don't ask me how he gets by with the "Septic" accent (meaning "Yank" - from "Septic Tank" = rhymes with "Yank" - Aussies are big on rhyming slang). Ed has coached high school basketball at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, Washington and has helped me with football on numerous occasions, and if I do say so he really knows his sports. He is a graduate of Stanford - an English major - and if he writes well, remember - I helped pay for it. When I left the United States behind, I knew I was giving up certain inalienable rights as promised me by the Constitution. I also knew that I was giving up a whole bunch of other things not as important legally, but certainly more pleasurable. Things like Mexican food, microbrews and those little fluffy sheets that keep your laundry soft and make it smell good. And football. Good, old-fashioned American football. They call it "gridiron" over here, because there are so many different forms of football it gets confusing otherwise. There's Australian Rules Football, a frantic hybrid of soccer, football, and basketball. Aussie Rules is called "Footy" in Melbourne, but not in Sydney.

Then there's Rugby League, a 13-a-side game that has some similarities to American football. It's called "Footy" in Sydney (but not in Melbourne). It's also referred to simply as "League." And then there's Rugby Union - called simply "rugby" - a 15-a-side game that is played all over the world, even in the U.S. There's also soccer which here, same as in the US but not most of the rest of the world, is called soccer. (Only the hardcore Greek, Italian and Croatian immigrants call it "football.") Gridiron has a toehold here, but that's about all. It is played on what amounts to a recreational basis by a handful of teams, but the hard fact is that Australia's population is relatively small - about the same as that of Texas - and spread over an area about as large as Texas plus all the other 47 contiguous US states, too. And after the more popular forms of football - Australian Rules, Rugby Union and Rugby League, not to mention soccer - have taken their share of the athletes, the fans and the sponsors, there really isn't a whole lot left over for American football. Er, gridiron.

The NFL is covered surprisingly well in the newspapers here, and although I could get my "gridiron" fix once a week on Fox cable at 4 in the morning, it was usually the NFC and I can only take so many Green Bay versus Detroit or Tampa Bay versus Green Bay games. I needed something more, so I decided to take a chance on these other brands of football. Australian Rules Football You might know a little bit about this sport because it was carried on ESPN in the early days, back before Dan Patrick and Championship Week and those clever Wieden & Kennedy ads. ESPN was in desperate need of programming, so why not guys in short shorts and sleeveless shirts running around beating the hell out of each other? Even today in the states I run into people who grew up with ESPN and can do Aussie Rules Football umpire imitations. Aussie Rules is unique in that it's a game that was developed in one Australian state - Victoria - long before being pushed by its advocates into neighboring states. Imagine a sport that developed in Los Angeles long before it ever made it to San Francisco. In fact, 10 of the Australian Football League's 16 teams still call Melbourne home.

In its simplest form, the purpose of the game is to kick the ball through the other team's goal. The game itself is played on a cricket "pitch" (field), which is oval-shaped and huge - about 225 yards long and 175 yards wide. There are four upright goal posts - no crossbars - at each end of the field, and points are scored by kicking the ball between the two middle posts (6 points) or between a middle post and the post to its outside (1 point). The ball is advanced by kicking it, running with it (provided the ball is dribbled or touched to the ground every so often) or punching it with the hand (a handpass). The fastest way to advance the ball a great distance is by means of a long, spiraling punt called a "torpedo" (does the name Darren Bennett of the San Diego Chargers mean anything to you?). The ability to field a punt - in a manner combining skills comparable to a cross between basketball rebounding and intercepting a pass at its highest point - is highly prized, since a player catching a kick in the air is awarded a free kick on goal for his efforts.

What makes the game especially rough is that players from both teams normally compete to catch the punt. Aussie Rules cuts across a wide fabric of society, more so than most American sports. There are luxury boxes where the captains of industry eat lamb and sip Chardonnay, and there are $14 (about $7 American) general admission seats that fill up two hours before game time and see more beer consumption there than during Spring Break at Padre Island. There are also more women than you'll see at an American sporting event. And these women are into it, screaming things like "Get rid of the ball, you bloody fool" or "aww, stop your whinging (whining)." Weekly Aussie Rules matches draw the biggest sports crowds in Australia. The average attendance is somewhere near 40,000, which is pretty impressive considering that Melbourne sometimes finds itself home to four matches in one weekend. A "traditional" clash between old rivals like Essendon and Collingwood can draw up to 90,000 people at the venerable Melbourne Cricket Ground (the "MCG" or just "The G"). A new stadium, Colonial, has opened in Melbourne this season.

A 55,000 seat retractable roof facility, Colonial is bringing an American sense of sports to Australia, with PSL's, prebooked tickets and scoreboard pyrotechnics. Australian Football League Rugby (Or Rugby Union) If you have ever played or watched any rugby in the United States, that's what this is: a 15-per-side game of confusing masses called scrums, rucks, and mauls, punctuated by the occasional wide-open run. The purpose of the game, just like American football, is to advance the ball across the other team's goal line, scoring what is called a "try." A "try" is the equivalent of a touchdown, although the ball literally has to be "touched down" to the ground after the player crosses the goalline. A try is worth 5 points. After a try, the team is also given a chance at a 2-point kicked conversion, over a crossbar and between two uprights, similar to an American football point-after.

(The spot of the kick, though, must be at some point along a line extending directly back upfield from where the ball was touched down, so if it was touched down a yard in from the sideline, the kick must be attempted from a spot back upfield a yard in from the sideline.) A "penalty goal" - just like a field goal, but awarded after infractions - is worth 3 points, as is a drop-kick field goal, which can be kicked at any time from any place on the field. The sport began in England at upper-crust schools, including the school where it was invented and for which it was named, Rugby. It was seen as a more exciting and more gentlemanly alternative to soccer. You may have heard the old saying "Soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans, rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen." England itself remains a rugby hotbed along with France, but the best rugby in the world is played in the Southern Hemisphere among fierce rivals Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Rugby in Australia has maintained its position as a blueblood sport.

It is played mainly in the private schools, and unlike Aussie Rules, most of the professional rugby union players have college degrees. Sponsorship of rugby tends to be more upscale than Aussie Rules. There is no professional league per se in Australia. There is, instead, a competition called the Super Twelve, which is made up of five teams from New Zealand, four from South Africa and three from Australia - the Queensland Reds, the New South Wales Waratahs and the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Brumbies. Many Aussie players choose to play in England or France rather than the Super Twelve, since the European teams pay more. The biggest rugby union competition involves the national team, the Wallabies. They compete against New Zealand (the All Blacks) and South Africa (the Springboks) in what's known as the Tri-Nations series. The winner of this holds bragging rights as the best national rugby side in the world. There is also a trophy called the Bledisloe Cup, which is contested between Australia and New Zealand as a sub-tournament of the Tri-Nations. The Rugby World Cup is played every four years, and Australia is the current champion.

"Rugby Heaven" or Super Twelve Rugby League Rugby League, or just plain "League," started as a working man's sport played mainly in the north of England. It was created as an alternative to the more exclusive Rugby Union, whose upper class players were mainly amateurs. English factory workers could not afford to miss their jobs to play rugby, so a breakaway competition was formed. When League moved to Australia it maintained its working class position. Compared with Rugby Union, League is much easier for a novice to understand. It's a fairly simple game of straightforward bashing and inside slashing, with few of the really exciting outside runs seen in Rugby Union. Rugby League has 13 players to a side and more closely resembles American football than Rugby Union in the sense that a team has the ball for the equivalent of 6 downs (called "tackles"). After the "fifth tackle" - or on "6th down" if you will - the team with the ball is able to kick the ball to the opponent to improve field position, much like a punt. Just as with Rugby Union, the purpose is to score a try. Unlike in Rugby, though, the try is worth only four points.

The point-after is worth two, and so is a penalty kick, but the drop-kick goal is worth only 1 point. Sydney is the spiritual home of League, accounting for all but five of the 14 teams in the National Rugby League (NRL). League is also big in Brisbane, but has made little or no inroads into other capital cities like Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, where Aussie Rules remains king. The NRL does not draw as well as the AFL, with average attendance around 12,000. Part of this is because of a huge rift created a few years ago by News Limited (Rupert Murdoch's company) which started an alternative competition called the Super League. It drove salaries up, but caused havoc among the teams and nearly wiped out the sport. As a consequence, the NRL still struggles for credibility. One fascinating aspect of Rugby League is the annual "State of Origin" series. Players who grew up in the state of Queensland play those who grew up in New South Wales in a mid-season "All Star" series. The games attract crowds of 70,000 and are billed as "State against State, Mate against Mate." National Rugby League

Question: In Australian Rules football, how many points are awarded for a field goal?
Answer: Six