51 CATEGORY "A" REPORTABLE OFFENCES

51.1 A Category “A” offence is when the offence is to cause a player to be reported by an Umpire or an Official of The League as defined in Clause 50.1.

51.2 If a Category “A” report is made by a Field Umpire the player shall be sent from the playing field for a minimum of ten (10) minutes of playing time or greater up to the maximum of the remainder of such match as determined by the reporting Field Umpire.

(a) the reporting Field Umpire shall notify the Match Day Official by holding up a red card indicating the player has been reported for a Category “A” Offence

(b) the player may be replaced after ten (10) minutes of playing time

(i) the ten (10) minutes of playing time is a continuous ten (10) minutes on the Match Day Official’s watch or clock.

(ii)  there is no stopping of the ten (10) minutes on the clock for any time on as signaled by the Field Umpire(s).

(c) either or both participating team Runners may approach the reporting Field Umpire only during a break in play – including when a goal has been scored - to request the duration of the send-off for the Category “A” offence.

(d) the Field Umpire(s) shall inform either or both the reported player’s Runner and the opposing team’s Runner the amount of send-off time imposed.

51.3 A Goal or Boundary Umpire or an Official of The League who makes a report for a Category “A” offence shall inform the Field Umpire(s) of the report at the next available break in play - including when a goal has been scored - after the incident causing the report.

(a) it is the Field Umpire(s) decision as to whether such reported player is to be sent from the playing field and for what duration of time such player is to remain off the playing field.

51.4  Any of the following types of conduct is considered a Category “A” reportable offence

(a) intentionally or carelessly:

(i) striking another person;

(ii) kicking another person;

(iii) kneeing another person;

(iv) Charging an opponent;

(v) engaging in Rough Conduct against an opponent;

(vi) bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent from front-on when that Player has their head down over the football;

(vii) head-butting or making contact to another person using the head;

(viii) making unreasonable or unnecessary contact to the eye region of another person;

(ix) making unreasonable or unnecessary contact to the face of another person;

(x) scratching another person; or

(xi) tripping another person whether by hand, arm, foot or leg;

(b) eye-gouging another person;

(c) stomping on another person;

(d) intentionally making contact with, or striking, an Umpire;

(e) attempting to strike an Umpire;

(f) spitting on or at an Umpire;

(g) behaving in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards or in relation to an Umpire;

(h) using abusive, insulting or obscene language towards or in relation to an Umpire;

(i) unreasonable or unnecessary contact with an Umpire;

(j) carelessly making contact with an Umpire;

(k) disputing a decision of an Umpire;

(l) spitting on or at another person;

(m) attempting to strike another person;

(n) attempting to kick another person;

(o) attempting to trip another person whether by hand, arm, foot or leg;

(p) making unreasonable or unnecessary contact with an injured Player;

(q) engaging in a Melee;

(r) instigating a Melee;

(s) wrestling another person;

(t) pinching another person;

(u) engaging in an act of staging;

(v) using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language;

(w) use of an obscene gesture;

(x) engaging in Time Wasting;

(y) interfering with a Player Kicking for Goal;

(z) intentionally shaking, climbing or otherwise interfering with a goal or behind post;

(aa) failing to leave the Playing Surface when directed to do so by an Umpire;

(bb) wearing boots, jewellery and equipment prohibited under Clause 44; or

(cc) engaging in any other act of misconduct or serious misconduct.

51.5 The Field Umpire(s) shall send the Category “A” offending player from the playing field immediately or the Field Umpire(s) may allow play to continue before effecting the send-off if the Umpire believes this is an advantage to the non-offending team.

51.6 If a player committing a Category “A” offence refuses to leave the playing field to the satisfaction of the Field Umpire(s), the Field Umpire(s) may report the offending player’s Member Club to The League. 

51.7 A player who has already been reported for a Category “A” offence who is then reported for a Category “A” or “B” offence in the same match shall be sent from the playing field by the Field Umpire(s) for the remainder of the match but may be replaced after ten (10) minutes of playing time.

51.8 A Category “A” report is to be made on the official interchange card by the Match Day Official stating the playing number, the time the player was sent from the playing field and the quarter in which the report was made.

51.9 A Category “A” report shall be detailed by the Field Umpire(s) on The Match Day Paperwork App.

51.10 A report made by a Field Umpire(s) made in accordance with Clauses 51.1 or 51.3 hereof shall be lodged with The League by 10:00am on the Monday following the match from which the report was made.

51.11 Any officiating Umpire from the match in which the report was made shall so far be as reasonably practicable comply with the requests of The League to appear before the Tribunal and/or the Investigation Committee.

51.12 The MRP may nominate certain Category “A” reportable offences as a Prescribed Penalty offence and the player or official may accept the Prescribed Penalty if offered by the MRP.

(a) when a Prescribed Penalty offered by the MRP is rejected by a player or official the matter shall be referred to the Tribunal. 

(b) a player may plead guilty and accept a Prescribed Penalty only once during the playing season.

(c) a maximum of three (3) players from a Member Club may plead guilty and accept a Prescribed Penalty during the playing season. 

(d) any further Category “A” Reports from the Member Club for the remainder of the playing season will be referred to the Tribunal.  

51.13 The Prescribed Penalty offences list and penalties are as follows:

(a) using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language, or an obscene gesture to a person(s) other than an officiating Umpire - 1 match.

(b) engaging in time wasting - 1 match.

(c) throwing or pushing another player after the player has taken a mark, disposed of the football or after otherwise out of play - 1 match.

(d) engaging in a Melee, except where a player’s sole intention is to remove a team mate from the incident - 1 match.

(e) attempting to trip another player by hand or arm - 1 match.

(f) intentionally shaking a goal or behind post when another player is preparing to kick or is kicking for goal or after the player has kicked for goal and the football is in transit - 1 match.

(g) wrestling another player - 1 match.

(h) failing to leave the playing field when directed to do so by a Field Umpire - 1 match.

(i) wearing boots, jewellery or other equipment prohibited under Clause 44 of these Rules and Regulations - 1 match.

(j) an act of misconduct - 1 match.

(k) engaging in rough conduct against an opponent which in the circumstances is unreasonable - 2 matches.

(l) attempting to strike another player - 2 matches.

51.14 A Member Club bye or a match lost by forfeit in any Division shall not be included as a match served in a player’s suspension.

51.15 The League and/or Tribunal shall retain the rights to impose a further Fine and/or penalty upon a player or Member Club Official or Member Club.

51.16 Determine any matter(s) not provided for in these Rules and Regulations as it sees fit.