Australian Football

Primary Competition Rules

• Match Format

  Expand Match Format

  Division and Region Format: Consult the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator for Region and Division formats. 

  State Format: Split Round Robin and State Final.

  State Match Schedule and Format A Pre-Championship briefing occurs for all teams before the first round. Refer to the Australian Football Draw on the SSV website for the schedule. Matches consist of two 15-minute halves with a 5-minute half-time interval. ‘Time On’ is only played if directed by the field umpire for extenuating circumstances such as injury, blood rule, or time wasting.

  State Round Robin Winner Points: 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss. The winner is determined by matches won. If two teams are tied, the winner of their head-to-head match is declared the winner. If that match was a draw, total percentage from all games determines the winner. If more than two teams are tied, percentage from matches involving only the tied teams is used.

  State Final Winner If the final is a draw, two 5-minute halves are played with a one-minute interval. If still tied, teams change ends and the first score wins.

• Conditions

  Expand Conditions

  Competitions adhere to the SSV ‘General Conditions of Competition’, ‘Codes of Conduct’, and ‘Participant Behaviour Policy’.

  • Students cannot play in both a girls’ team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • The competition level chosen at District level remains binding through to State level.
  • Umpires may use a ‘Yellow Card’ to send a player off for 10 minutes without replacement. Two Yellow Cards in one day result in a ‘Red Card’ and the Order Off Rule.

• Team Size

  Expand Team Size
  • Maximum of 14 players per team per day.
  • 9 players on the field and up to 5 interchange players named per game.
  • 14 SSV medallions and 1 coach medallion are awarded to placegetters.

• Game Specific Rules

  Expand Game Specific Rules

  Conducted under the Laws of Australian Football unless otherwise stated:

  • Ground Size: Maximum 85m x 65m.
  • Zones: The ground is split into forward, middle, and back zones. Three players from each team must start in their respective zones for every ball-up.
  • Marking: Awarded for any distance provided control is shown.
  • Ball-ups: Contested by two similar players selected by the umpire.
  • Out of Bounds: A free kick is awarded if kicked out on the full. If touched out, play restarts with a ball-up 5 metres in from the boundary.
  • Ball Movement: One bounce permitted before disposing via kick or handball. Deliberate kicking off the ground is prohibited (Free kick).
  • Tackling: Modified wrap tackle only. No bumping or slinging.
  • Interchange: Players may rotate at any time.
  • Possession: Players must tap or punch the ball from an umpire's bounce or throw; taking full possession results in a free kick against.
  • Stealing: Players cannot steal the ball directly from an opponent's hands.
  • Smothering: Standing on the mark is not deemed a smother. Unintentional smothers result in "play on."

• Officials

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  Each team must provide:

  • A competent timekeeper with a clock and siren/bell.
  • Goal umpires.

• Dress Code

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  Players must wear matching jumpers with unique numbers, same-color shorts (no pockets), and same-color socks. No jewelry. Incorrectly dressed players cannot compete.

• Lateness Penalty

  Expand Lateness Penalty

  Teams over 10 minutes late without notice may be penalized 3 goals for every complete 10 minutes late. The convener may accommodate late teams if the delay was beyond their control and communicated.

• Equipment

  Expand Equipment

  Teams must provide:

  • New synthetic Size 3 football (Match balls, goal posts, and cones provided at State Finals).
  • First aid kit and sports tape. (SSV First Aid Responders do not perform preventative strapping).
  • Mouthguards and football boots are strongly recommended.