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ONE GAME
TWITTER.COM/AFLDIVERSITY
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THE GAME EXPLAINED
48 & 75 TRAM
JOLIMONT STATION
Incredibly fast and exciting, Australian Football is full of amazing courage,
athleticism and skill. Here is a guide to how the game is played.
THE ESSENTIALS
The game starts when a field umpire bounces the ball in the middle of the ground. The ball is also bounced in the
centre to start each quarter and after a goal has been scored.
Games are divided into four quarters of 20 minutes, plus extra time. Teams swap ends after each quarter.
There are 22 players in a team and 18 are allowed on the playing field at any one time.
THE AIM OF THE GAME
It is all about kicking goals. That means kicking the ball through the tall inner sticks (the goalposts) to score six
points for your team. If the ball goes between a goalpost and either of the smaller outer sticks, then a behind
(worth one point) is scored. The ball play must remain within the boundary line, or else the ball is returned to the
umpire to throw the ball back in play. The team that finishes with the biggest total score overall is the winner.
THE SCORE
When it comes to reading or writing the scores, the goals go first, then the behinds, then the total points.
For example, a score of 10 goals and six behinds is a total of 66 points and is written 10.6 (66).
UMPIRES
Field umpires: three field umpires control the game and award free kicks where the rules have been breached
Boundary umpires: There are four boundary umpires who decide when the ball is out of bounds or out of bounds on
the full.
Goal umpires: There is a goal umpire at each end of the ground. They decide if a goal or behind has been scored.
THE HANDBALL
A handball is an alternate method of moving the ball towards your goal. It involves holding
the football in one hand and disposing of it by hitting it with the clenched fist of the other hand.
THE MARK
A mark is taken if a player catches the football after it has been kicked by another player
a distance of at least 15 metres and has not touched the ground or been touched by
another player when it is in the air.
AFL PLAYGROUND
246 BUS
THE MCG
70 TRAM
RICHMOND STATION
The MCG is located on Brunton Avenue, Richmond and is 2km from
Melbourne’s CBD.
GETTING THERE
CAR
Car parking is usually available at the MCG in Yarra Park on event days, via Punt Road. Please
note long delays can be experienced when exiting the car park. Parking in high-rise parking
buildings in the CBD is another option.
TRAIN
RUNNING WITH THE BALL
For most people, train is the easiest way to get to the MCG. There are two train stations close
to the MCG.
Where a player is moving while in possession of the football, he must bounce
or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 metres.
Jolimont is north of the ground and offers a five-minute walk through Yarra Park to the ground.
From any railway station in the CBD, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines.
THE TACKLE
The other station is Richmond on the south eastern side of the MCG. To get to Richmond
station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley,
Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.
A legal tackle is when an opponent who has the ball is tackled below the
shoulders and above the knee. You are not allowed to push an opponent in
the back. A player who is tackled illegally while in possession of the ball will
be awarded a free kick.
HOW TO BUY TICKETS
Tickets for all AFL matches at the MCG are sold
through Ticketek.
TRAM
Three tram routes provide access to the MCG.
No. 75 travels along Flinders St and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade
and No. 48 travels along Collins St and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade.
Both these routes stop just outside the MCG. No. 70 travels along Flinders St then detours via
Melbourne Park and the tram stop is a short walk across the footbridge to the ground.
BUS
The Bus route 246 is run by National Bus Company and stops in Punt Road, just a short walk
from the ground.
For more information on the above services visit victrip.com.au.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED BY
1. Phoning 132 849.
2. Visiting a Ticketek outlet.
3. Online via their website ticketek.com.au.
For more information visit ticketek.com.au.
FUN AND FREE ACTIVITIES
FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
Don’t forget to check out the AFL Playground
Opens 90 minutes before the start of each match at the MCG.
The AFL Playground is located near gate 6.
AMENITIES
PRAYER ROOM
VEGETARIAN FOOD
A Prayer room is located on level B1
near aisle M30.
Vegetarian food is available at all
outlets around the stadium.
PARENT ROOMS
DISABLED ACCESS
Parent rooms and baby change
stations are located around
the stadium.
The MCG has wheelchair-friendly
seating, parking, entrance points
and bathrooms.
INFORMATION
DRY AREA (ALCOHOL FREE)
For more information, ask an MCG event
staff or a security guard.
There is designated dry area seating
at every AFL match at the MCG! Just
request this category on the Ticketek
website when you are buying your tickets.