The Laws of Australian Football allow for the game to be played in a safe and fun environment.  They also ensure that players that make their primary focus the ball will always be protected.

Season 2008 produced an outstanding standard of football at the AFL level, confirming that the game is in great shape.  New law interpretations has seen the number of stoppages being reduced in recent seasons resulting in a more continuous and free flowing style of football.

The traditional aspects of our game including high marking, clever ruck play, fierce tackling and players making the football their primary focus has added to spectator appeal.

In a contact sport where strong contests are a key feature of our game, the rule and interpretation changes have also helped to provide a safer environment for all participants.

The game of Australian Football continues to evolve as teams push themselves to the limit to achieve the ultimate dream; a premiership.

In keeping with the ever changing nature of the game the following rule and interpretation changes have been made for the 2009 season:

Rule changes

• Recall badly offline bounces: An umpire will recall a field or centre bounce when the bounce does not allow for the ball to be contested by both teams.
• Free kick for misconduct: A free kick can now be paid for incidents of misconduct such as interfering with an injured player. Previously misconduct was the only offence which was reportable but for which a free kick could not be paid.
• Restart of play following a stretcher: If one team has possession when play is stopped for a stretcher, that same team will retain possession when play is re-started.
• 50m penalty awarded after all clear is given but before play has re-started: A free kick to the defending team during this time will be taken where infringement occurred or 50m from the kick-off line. This change makes the rules consistent with those already in place for when a free kick is given away after a mark or free kick has been awarded.

Interpretation changes

• Scoring line to be drawn so the back of the line is equal with the back of the padding rather than being through the centre of the posts (to ensure goal umpires are using a consistent frame of reference regardless of their line of sight);
• If the field umpire impedes a player when in the act of setting the mark for a shot on goal, the field umpire will stop play and reset the mark so no player is disadvantaged in this situation.

Please view the spirit of the Laws brochure for further information relating to rule interpretations. Also available are all ten chapters from the AFL Laws DVD which provides some great examples of some of the latest rules to be implemented into our great game.