World Footy News

This article summarises some of the match day and tournament conditions in place for the 2008 Australian Football International Cup, according to the AFL's official Rules and Regulations guide. It includes the length of games, how pool placing are determined and the send off rule.

Pool Placings

Four points for a win, two for a draw, none for a loss. For determining initial placings within of each of the four Pools, the team that "has the highest number of points at the conclusion of the Round Robin shall be the winner of that Pool, with percentage determining the winner in the event of an equality of points for three or four teams". Further, "where two Teams in a Pool are tied for first position at the conclusion of the Round Robin, then the Team which won the match played between them shall be the winner of the Pool". So effectively it comes down to who wins the most matches, and if there is a tie in the number of wins, the head to head result splits the teams, but if there is 3 or 4 way tie, then percentage is used.

No drawn Finals

If there's a draw in a final (rounds 4 and 5) the play continues unstopped until a team scores. "Should scores be level at the end of scheduled match playing time, the timekeepers shall be instructed not to sound the siren until another score (goal or behind) is registered".

17 minutes, no time-on

All matches will be 4 x 17 minute quarters, with no time-on. This is up from 15 minutes (no time-on) in 2005, but still less than a regular match, in deference to the number of matches played by the teams. Quarter time is 5 mins, half time 15 mins, three quarter time 7 mins.

25 metres not 50 metres

The usual 50m penalty applied in AFL matches will be 25m, as is typical of leagues below AFL level.

Team sizes

Matches are 18 per side on the field, as per normal, but an interchange bench of 6 will apply, unless opposing teams agree before the match to increase it to 8 interchange (a reasonable adjustment given the heavy load of 5 matches in 10 or 11 days).

Red and yellow cards

Players can be sent off for the match (red card) or 10 minutes (yellow) card; in both cases it is without replacement.