Laws of Australian football 1940-1970
| Year | Laws | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1940-1944 |  Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | Law 2 (vi) Centre circle diameter increased to 10 feet Law 3 (a) Formalisation of team sheet containing names and guernsey numbers to be presented to umpire prior to match. All 19 players to be to be in attendance Law 3 (i) Formalisation that being named nineteenth man means formally taking part in the match. Laws 17 (iii) and 37 (v) and 38 (v) Option to drop the ball when tackled removed. Ball must be kicked or handpassed only. Law 37 (viii) Ball in general play going out of bounds results in throw in unless deliberatley forced out of play and not touched by another player. Throw-in distance reduced to between 10-15 yards. Law 37 (xvii) No longer free kick against a player who does not bring the ball back into play after receiving an out of bounds free kick. Law 37a Deleted as a result of change of Law 37. Law 48 (l) Attempting to strike with elbow or fist becomes a reportable offence |
| 1945 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 38 (i) (a) Player fouled after disposing of the ball - free kick to be taken by the nearest team mate where the ball lands, is marked or goes out of bounds if this is to the advantage of the team offended against. |
| 1946-1949 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 3. Additional reserve player (20th man) permitted. Identical conditions to 19th man. |
| 1950-1953 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | Layout of rules restructured and rules renumbered as a consequence. Former rule number in brackets Definitions Definitions of: 'Bell' inserted to cover any sounding device "Kicking" inserted to define a reportable offence replacing "hacking" "Scrimmage" inserted "Tripping" inserted "Rabbiting" removed and incorporated in "tripping" 1. [2] Recommended width of ground increased to 120 to 170 yards. 2. [24] Formalisation of home team providing choice of two footballs. 6. [4, 47] Specific provisions for starting the match inserted from various other sections. Provision for matches to begin at 3pm deleted. 7. [7-10, 66-67, 73] Amalgamation of goal, behinds and scoring provisions with goal umpire duties. Ball passing over goal post added to definition of behind. Ball passing over behind post added to definition of out of bounds. 8. [22] Flag needs to be waved prior to kicking in from behind. 13 Player must be given reasonable opportunity to dispose of ball when tackled. Specific situations and results of tackled player disposing or losing possession spelt out. First mention that the spirit of the law is to keep the ball in motion. Player bouncing football no longer deemed to be in possession of it 17 All breaches to be penalised regardless of whether ball dead or in play 18 (l) A player taking a kick as the result of a free kick or mark from outside the boundary, goal or behind lines may not run around the mark to improve his position ie he must kick or handpass over his mark. 24. Stipulation that the third quarter must start no later than 20 minutes after the end of the second quarter. Timekeepers to ring bell to notify field umpires of expiration of 20 minutes. Time between third and fourth quarters to be a maximum of five minutes Law 28. Umpires directed not to threaten players Law 29. Competing clubs directed to have an official at the door of the umpires room after the conclusion of the match for receiving reports. 31. [71] Goal umpires directed to consult with field umpires if they do not see who kicked a ball in scrimmage. Minimum behind to be registered |
| 1954-1960 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 3 (c) Replacement player permitted to take the field if player to be replaced is clearly injured but still not off the field. 3 (f) Minimum number of players reduced to 14. 7 (b), 98 (d) Clarification that a ball striking an attending trainer is the same situation as an umpire 8 (a) A player handballing instead of kicking off or not entering the kick-off lines before kicking will be directed to kick the ball in from behind. Should a player not kick in when directed a free kick will be given to the nearest opponent and the kicker reported for time wasting. 13 (c) Free kick to be awarded to a player held while not in possession of the football. 17 (i) Free kick for attempting to kick or trip an opponent. Specific free kicks for striking or attempting to strike an opponent and for deliberate kneeing an opponent. 18 (h) Allows for a kick touched in transit after the siren to be a score (behind) proivided it was not assisted or another kick. 18 (i) Provision that a player on the mark for a defending player with possession beyond a boundary or scoring line must not be closer than 5 yards 18 (j) Allows for a mark to be advanced 15 yards if a player deliberately delays the play following a mark or free kick. 20 Boundary umpires permitted to use a whistle to signal but must still use a visual signal (introduced VFL 1955) 21 Provision clarifying that intervening scores after an out of bounds signal not being seen shall be annulled 28 Shaking the goal post listed as a reportable offence. Option of another kick if umpire believes shot at goal affected 29 (i) Umpires must, where possible, notify a player of report prior to the commencement of the following quarter. |
| 1961-1962 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | Definitions - Shepherding included |
| 1963 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 18 (i) Note to law indicating protected area applies to kicks taken from beyond the boundary line |
| 1964-1965 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 18 (i) Additional note of clarification regarding application of law to kick take with mark adjacent to behind post and player taking kick from behind the goal or behind line |
| 1966-1969 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | Handball-amended to require striking of the ball with clenched fist (also Law 11) |
| 1970 | Laws of the Australian game of football (ANFC) | 17 (c). Free kick to be awarded against a player who kicks the ball out of bounds on the full. Free kick a the point where the ball goes out of bounds (introduced by VFL 1969) 17 (j). Free kick against a player who, when not in possession of the ball, kicks in a manner likely to cause injury (Kicking in danger) |