Match Rules & Regulations

1. General

1.1 These rules are to be read in association with the Laws of Australian Football as set down by the Australian Football League.

1.2 The interpretation and application of these rules shall be at the discretion of the SARFL Committee.

1.3 Any application of these rules can be appealed by the party or parties concerned  to the Committee.

2. Competition Format

2.1 The SARFL league is to be a National League format.

2.2 Within the national league, the teams shall play each other 3 times . The highest finishing teams will qualify for the final. The teams that finish 2nd and 3rd will play a one off game at the 2nd place teams home park.

2.3 The winner will play first place team in Grand Final at first place teams home park.

3. Match Duration and Rule differences for 9-a-side league

3.1 A National League match shall consist of four quarters. Each quarter shallbe 15 minutes with time-on.

3.2 Scoring Zones is to be 40m from goal and marked clearly with poles.

3.3 If a goal or behind is kicked from outside of scoring area a free kick is given to the opposing team where the ball was kicked from.

3.4 Unlimited bounces every  10m is permitted.

3.5 In the event of the ball going into touch via a bounce or by hand then a ball up 10yards in from the touchline will be played.

3.6 A mark will be given only if the ball travels at least 10m in the air.

4. Number of Players per Team

4.1 Prior to each match, the competing clubs shall fill out a team sheet and hand it to the field umpire. Only players whose names appear on this list shall be allowed to participate in the match.

4.2 The maximum number of players allowed on a club's team sheet is 15.

4.3 There must be a minimum of 3 local or r.o.w players on the field at all times. if this is not possible the game will continue and finish, but the game will be given with a 30 point winning margin to non-offending team.

4.4 In all games, the maximum number of players allowed on the field shall be 9.

4.5 Only registered players are allowed to play an official league match.

5. Player Eligibility

5.1 All SARFL National League players must correctly fill out and sign a SARFL National League Membership Form.

5.2 Membership forms may be handed to the field umpire on the day of their first game for submission to the Committee along with the match documents.

5.3 A person must be at least 16 years old to play in an open-age SARFL National League match.

5.4 A player registered for a particular club may make a guest appearance for another club if that club's opponents do not object.

5.5 In finals games only registered players who have played at least 2 league matches are able to play.

5.6 Players wishing to transfer from one club to another must first obtain approval from the first club to do so. If such approval is not granted, the Committee shall step in and arbitrate the matter.

6. Umpires and Officials

6.1 The Commitee shall attempt to provide a field umpire for all matches.

6.2 It is the responsibility of both home and away team to pay the field umpire.

6.3 In all matches the home club must supply two (2) goal umpires.

7. Match Result

7.1 The winner of a match shall receive four (4) match points.

7.2 In a drawn match, each club shall receive two (2) points.

7.3 If a club is unable to field a side at the commencement of a match, then that club shall forfeit that match.

7.4 When a match is forfeited, the non-offending club receives four (4) match points. The offending club shall receive zero (0) points and a 50 point win will be given to non-offending team

7.5 A club which forfeits two or more matches in the same season may forfeit its right to compete in the finals series.

8. Best and Fairest Awards

8.1 At the conclusion of each home and away match, the field umpire(s), in collaboration if there is more than one, shall award 3, 2 and 1 votes respectively to the three players who in their opinion were the fairest and best in the match. This is to be marked on the team sheets, also a tick placed in the best non-aussie player

8.2 The votes shall be counted at the end of the season. The player with the most votes in each division shall be awarded the leagues Best and Fairest Award and also best non-aussie award.

8.3 If more than one player share the most amount of votes, then they player with the most 3 point votes shall receive award. If this is the same then both players will receive the award

9. Reports and Ordering Off

9.1 Goal umpires may not report players. However, if they witness an incident they deem to be reportable, and the field umpire does not witness it, then they may bring the field umpire’s attention to the incident. The field umpire may then report the player or not, at his own discretion.

9.2 The field umpire may order a player off the field for the remainder of the quarter, the match, or any other specified time period. That player may not be replaced by another player.

9.3 A player can be ordered off without being reported.

9.4 A player can be reported without being ordered-off.

9.5 A player who is reported twice in the same match for similar offences must be ordered-off for the remainder of the match.

9.6 On the third and all subsequent occasions in the same season that a player is ordered off, that player shall be automatically suspended from the next match for which he is eligible.