The Australian Football League Info thread

[PWNED]

[IMG]http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/graphic/190800ay.gif[/IMG]

Yes,I am indeed talking about Aussie Rules/AFL/Footy which is the national sport down under. For those who don't know (aka non-australians) Footy is Australias national sport although some will say that it is Cricket, AFL begun in the 1850s as a way of keeping Cricket players fit during the off season. It has begun to spread over the World with leagues popping up in the USA, Denmark, Great Briton, Denmark, New Zealand and Japan as well as the annual international rules match held between Australia and Ireland which is treated as a mixture of Gaelic and Aussie.

The Rules

[SIZE=1]Unlike other games of football Aussie Rules is played on cricket ovals; thus, there are no standard dimensions for a football field (usually called "ground" or "paddock"). The field should be an oval between 135 and 185 meters in length and 110 and 155 meters in width. (The Melbourne Cricket Ground is considered an ideal surface; its dimensions are 165m length by 135m width.) These dimensions make it the largest playing field of any code of football. The boundary is marked with a white line drawn a few meters from the stands.

The goals are two sets of posts erected at the far ends of the oval; the boundary forms a straight line through the posts. The inner set of posts is the goal posts, 6.4 meters (7 yards) apart, and at least 6 meters tall. Two behind posts are set 6.4 meters from the inside of each goal post, and must be at least 3 meters tall. All posts must be padded to a height of 2 meters.

A goal square (actually a rectangle) extends 9 meters into the ground from the goal posts, and is 6.4 meters in width.

A radius is drawn on the oval 50 meters from each goal. This merely serves as a range finder; most AFL players can kick a goal from this line, and perhaps beyond.

The center circle is marked at the precise center of the oval, 3 meters in diameter, bisected by a lateral line extending 2 meters either side of the diameter, and dividing the field in half. A center square is centered on this, 45 meters on each side. [/SIZE]

Scoring

A[SIZE=1] ball kicked over the goal line between the two larger goal posts by an attacker (without being touched) is a goal and scores six points. The ball is returned to the center circle for a "ball-up." There is no possibility of an "own goal" as in soccer.

If the ball passes over the goal line between the behind posts by any other means, then it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. 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. The ball is kicked back into play from within the goal square, usually by the opposing fullback.

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 either case, no points are scored.

The team scoring the most points wins the game. The match is considered drawn if points are equal. [/SIZE]

Possession and Disposal of the Ball
[SIZE=1]
A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent.

A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.

A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it to the ground once every 15 meters. (The distance is usually not strictly enforced, especially if the runner is challenged.)

A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball. (Tackling is permitted, but only between shoulders and knees.)

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 player's body. (Correct technique is sometimes more honored in the breach than in the observance.) Overhand passing is not permitted.

A mark is allowed when the ball is caught from a kick which has traveled a minimum distance of 15 meters, and the ball has traveled in the air without being touched by another player. (The ball usually doesn't have to be held for very long, especially in a physical marking contest; and yes, anything goes as long as both contestants are going for the ball.) The player taking the mark may play on immediately, or go back and kick over the position where he took the mark. [/SIZE]

An example of a mark is shown below
[IMG]http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/australian_football.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.astsports.com.au/files/afl/ess%20v%20saints%20pack%20mark.jpg[/IMG]
Free Kicks

The general principles of the rules are as follows:

[SIZE=1] * Keep the ball moving.
* Any player who goes after the ball will get every opportunity to take it.
* Any player caught with the ball will get a reasonable chance to dispose of it.

Fouls stem from violations of these principles, and the penalty for most violations is a free kick.

Free kicks may be given against players either with or without the ball. A free kick is generally taken at the spot where the infringement occurred. (Exceptions see "Play On" and "Relayed Free Kicks" below.)

A free kick is given against the player in possession 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.

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.

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)
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Reports

[SIZE=1]There is no send-off rule in the AFL, although one is provided for in the rules for any league wishing to implement one. 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, and the player must identify himself, if only by turning his back and showing his number. After the game, a report form is filled out and filed by the umpire, and the case is taken up by the AFL Tribunal.
Reportable incidents

Players can be reported for:

a) willfully 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, assaulting, or using abusive, threatening or insulting language or behavior towards an umpire during 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 other misconduct (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 he has disposed of the ball
j) intentionally tripping or kicking (or attempting to) an opponent. Tripping by hand is an infringement of the rules allowing a free kick or 50 meter penalty, but is not a reportable offense. Tripping with the leg is a reportable offense
k) striking (or attempting to) a player with the hand or arm
l) charging an opponent (as in basketball)
m) engaging in unduly rough play
n) remaining on the playing area out of proper uniform after being warned by the umpire
o) wearing unacceptable equipment - boot studs, rings, jewelry, surgical appliances, guards etc.
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Teams playing in the AFL currently

1897
Carlton Blues, Greatest player was maybe Greg Williams or Bruce Doull
Collingwood Magpies, Greatest player was Gordon or Sid Coventry
Essendon Bombers, Greatest player was Richard Reynolds
Fitzroy Lions , Greatest player was Haydn Bunton Sr.
Geelong Cats, Greatest Player was probarbly Gary Ablett or 'Polly' Farmer
Melbourne Demons, Greatest player was Jimmy Stynes or Ron Barassi
South Melbourne Swans, Greatest player was Bob Skilton or Roy Cazaly
St Kilda Saints, One of Greatest players was
1908
Richmond Tigers, Greatest player was Jack "Captian Blood" Dyer
University Students , Don't know about these guys
1925
Footscray Bulldogs, Greatest player was E.J. Whitten
Hawthorn Hawks, One of greatest players was Micheal Tuck or Lethal Leigh Matthews
North Melbourne Kangaroos, One of greatest was Wayne "kING" Carey
1982 Sydney Swans (ex South Melbourne), One of greatest was Plugger Lockett
1987 Brisbane Lions , One of greatest is Micheal Voss
West Coast Eagles, One of greatest was Micheal Gardiner
1991 Adelaide Crows, One of greatest is Mark Bickley
1995 Fremantle Dockers, One of gratest was Peter Bell
1996 Brisbane Lions (Brisbane and Fitzroy merged), Micheal Voss again
1997 Port Adelaide Power, I'm not sure about greatest.

Awards in the AFL

The Brownlow Medal-[SIZE=1]
The Charles Brownlow Trophy was instituted in 1924 for the "Fairest and Best" player in the VFL home and away season. The trophy itself is an ornate lacquered medallion, no larger than an American silver dollar coin. It has been awarded every year since except the Second World War years of 1942-1945.

It perpetuates the memory of Charles Brownlow, a veteran of over forty years with the Geelong Football Club and the VFL, who died in 1924. Brownlow was playing with Geelong when the original VFL clubs broke with the VFA in 1896; once his playing days were over, he became club secretary there until the year before his death, and also served two years as the League's caretaker president.

The medal is awarded as follows: the field umpires in consultation after each game award six votes; three votes to the best player, two to the second best and one to the third best. These votes are collected and kept by the AFL until the week of the Grand Final, where the votes are counted at a televised reception before viewers from across Australia. The player gaining the most votes from the season is awarded the Brownlow medal.

Should two or more players have the same number of votes then two or more medals are awarded. This replaced a countback system used in 1931-1981, in which ties were broken by counting numbers of "three" votes among the tied players, then "two" votes, etc.

Since 1991, players who have been reported during a game or suspended during the home-and-away season (not the finals) have been able to receive Brownlow Medal votes from the umpires for that game; however, in keeping with the notion of a "best and fairest" award, a player who has been reported and subsequently found guilty by the Tribunal (except for time wasting) is ineligible to win the Medal. Should such a player receive the most votes, then the player with the most number of votes who is eligible (not having been reported and found guilty) receives the medal.

For example, Chris Grant of the Western Bulldogs received 27 votes in 1997, but was rendered ineligible by a week's suspension earlier in the season, and Robert Harvey won the Brownlow instead with 26 votes. This was the first time in Brownlow history an outright winner actually lost his medal to the Tribunal. Three players tied for the 1996 Brownlow Medal with 22 votes. James Hird of Essendon and Michael Voss of Brisbane were awarded their medals; Corey McKernan of North Melbourne lost his to the Tribunal.[/SIZE]- 2004 winner was Chris Judd of the West Coast Eagles

The John Coleman Medal-
The Coleman Medal was instituted in 1981, and is awarded to the player who kicks the most goals during the Home and Away Season. The Medal honors John Coleman, a spectacular forward player for Essendon (and later a dual premiership coach of the same club), who many feel would have been the game's greatest ever player, prior to a serious knee injury prematurely ending his playing career. Coleman kicked 537 goals in only 98 games.-2004 winner was Fraiser Ghering of the West Coast Eagles

The Norm Smith Medal-
The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the player voted best on ground during that season's Grand Final. Norm Smith was a player for Melbourne and Fitzroy, and coached South Melbourne as well as the previous two teams. He coached Melbourne to an incredible 6 Premierships between 1955 and 1964. The Medal was first instituted in 1979.-2004 winner was Bryon Pickett of Port Power

Norwich Rising Star Award- Named for a commercial sponsor, the Rising Star Award is given to the best rookie for the past season. "Rookie" is defined as a player under the age of 21 who has been selected for less than ten games prior to the season in question.-2004 winner was ..............

And thats about it for the rules, Tell me who you think is the greatest player around is or team and feel free to try and prove me wrong about my choices for greatest players for each team.

And In case people are wondering, No we don't have cheerleaders. We have bloody blind Umpires but no Cheerleaders.