18.4 RUCK CONTESTS
18.4.1 Spirit and Intention
The Ruck whose sole objective is to contest the football shall be permitted to do so.
18.4.2 Number of Rucks
Each Team must have no more than one Ruck contesting any centre bounce,
throw-up or boundary throw-in.
18.4.3 Free Kicks - Ruck Contests
A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick in a Ruck contest against a Player where the Player:
(a) who is not a Ruck, contests a throw-up or boundary throw-in;
(b) unduly pushes or bumps an opposition Ruck;
(c) blocks an opposition Ruck;
(d) makes contact with an opposition Ruck prior to the football leaving the field or
boundary Umpire’s hand;
(e) who is a Ruck, enters their attacking half or steps outside the Centre Circle prior
to the field Umpire bouncing or throwing up the football; or
(f) hits the football Out of Bounds On the Full from a throw-up by a field Umpire or a
throw-in by a boundary Umpire.