Australian Football

Secondary Competition Rules

• Match Format and Schedule

  Expand Match Format and Schedule

  Region and Division Match Format

  • For Regions and Division match format, please consult the relevant page on the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator.

• State Format and Fixture

  Expand State Format and Fixture

  State Format and Fixture

  • Stages: Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, Final
  • Quarter Finals Matchups:
  • NMR v GWR
  • WMR v LMR
  • GIPP v EMR
  • SMR v HUME

• State Match Duration

  Expand State Match Duration
  • Quarter Finals: 4 x 15-minute quarters with 1/4 time 5 min, ½ time 15 min, 3/4 time 5 min.
  • Semi Finals: 4 x 15-minute quarters with 1/4 time 5 min, ½ time 15 min, 3/4 time 5 min.
  • Finals: 4 x 20-minute quarters with 1/4 time 5 min, ½ time 15 min, 3/4 time 5 min.

• Playing Conditions and Draws

  Expand Playing Conditions and Draws
  • Extra Time / Drawn Games: In the event of a draw the game shall be decided by playing two 5-minute halves with a one-minute interval. If the game is still a draw both teams change ends and the first score wins.
  • Time On: 'Time On' is not played unless directed by the field umpire in extenuating circumstances (Injury, Blood Rule, Time Wasting etc.).

• General Competition Rules and Team Management

  Expand General Competition Rules and Team Management

  General Conditions

  • See the School Sport Victoria's 'General Conditions of Competition'. All players, teachers, spectators and officials are bound by the 'SSV Codes of Conduct' and the 'Participant Behaviour Policy'.
  • A girl cannot play in a girls' team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • Clarification: Please note that Girls cannot play in Senior Boys Australian Football or Intermediate Boys Australian Football teams - they are Boys only teams.
  • The level of competition chosen by a student at Division level remains binding through to Region and State Levels.

  Yellow & Red Cards (Order Off Rule)

  • A 'Yellow Card' may be used to give the umpires/convener the power to send a player from the field for a 10-minute period. A player sent from the field with a 'Yellow Card' is not replaced.
  • If a player receives two 'Yellow Cards' during one day's competition, the second 'Yellow Card' will be recognised as a 'Red Card' and the Order Off Rule will apply.

  Team Size

  • For Boys and Girls:
  • A maximum of twenty-five (25) players may be used in one day.
  • Eighteen (18) players on the field and up to seven (7) interchange players to be named for each game.
  • Only twenty-five (25) SSV medallions plus one (1) for the team coach will be awarded to placegetters. Extra medallions will NOT be available.

  Laws of the Game & Specific Rules

  Australian Football is conducted under the Laws of Australian Football unless otherwise stated.

• Out of Bounds Rules (All Levels - Boys & Girls)

  Expand Out of Bounds Rules (All Levels - Boys & Girls)
  • Where the ball is kicked out of bounds without being touched, a free kick/handball will be awarded to the nearest opposition player.
  • Where the ball is touched out of bounds, play will be restarted by a Ball-up conducted 5 metres in from the boundary.

• Specific Girls Match Modifications

  Expand Specific Girls Match Modifications
  • A 25m penalty will be imposed rather than 50 metres.
  • A mark will be awarded for a ball travelling 10m rather than 15m.
  • A player may only bounce the ball a maximum of two (2) times before disposing of it.
  • A free kick shall be awarded against a player who takes full possession of the football at a bounce or throw by a field Umpire or at a boundary throw in. Instead, players are required to tap or punch the ball back into play from a bounce or throw by a field Umpire, or boundary throw in.

• Safety Requirements

  Expand Safety Requirements
  • Goal Post Padding: All fixed, in-ground goal posts require goal post padding.

• Officials and Uniform Requirements

  Expand Officials and Uniform Requirements

  Officials Required

  Each team is required to provide:

  • A competent timekeeper with a time clock and a siren or bell.
  • A goal umpire wearing a white top, with flags and score card.
  • A correctly attired team runner (NB: Teams are restricted to one (1) runner).
  • A student to operate the scoreboard.
  • NB: Field Umpires are provided at the State Quarter, Semi and Grand Finals.

  Dress and Uniform

  • Players must wear matching jumpers with distinctive numbering corresponding to their team sheet, same colour shorts (without pockets) and same colour socks.
  • No jewelry is to be worn.
  • Players not correctly dressed will not be permitted to compete.

• Lateness Penalty and Equipment Requirements

  Expand Lateness Penalty and Equipment Requirements

  Lateness Penalty

  • If a team is late for the start of their match for reasons beyond their control and the team communicates with the convener, the convener will try to accommodate the team.
  • If a team is more than 10 minutes late without notice or communication or in the convener's opinion their lateness makes the draw impracticable, then the team will be penalised 3 goals for each complete 10 minutes late.

  Equipment to Bring

  Competing teams must provide:

  1. Football Specifications: Category / Age Group Ball Size & Type Senior & Intermediate Boys Size 5 Leather  Senior Girls Size 4 Leather  Year 7 & 8 Boys/Mixed Size 4 Leather  Intermediate Girls Size 4 Leather  Junior Girls Size 4 Synthetic
  • (Note: Match balls are provided at State Grand Finals)
  2. First Aid Kit:
  • Competing schools are responsible for ensuring that reasonable provision is made for the treatment of injuries.
  • All schools participating in SSV Team Sports final are required to bring their own applicable first aid kit (appropriate to the location as there is potential for sporting activities to be some distance away from emergency services) - For more detailed information: First Aid for Students & Staff & First Aid Kit Contents Checklist.
  3. Protective & Medical Equipment:
  • Mouthguards are strongly recommended.
  • Sports Tape must be supplied by the student/competing team. Strapping for injury prevention as required must be performed by the student/competing team. (NB: The First Aid Responder attending the state finals are not permitted to perform strapping) .