Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Free kicks are the primary sanction for on-field infringements (Law 18), awarded to the non-offending team. Where an advantage exists, the Umpire may direct play to continue instead (Law 21).
For certain offences an Umpire may impose a fifty metre penalty in addition to the free kick, advancing the Mark toward the offending team’s goal (Law 19).
Reporting of players and officials for more serious offences is governed by Law 22, and the Order Off Law by Law 23. These operate independently of any free kick awarded during play, and alongside the AFL’s own match review process.