17.0 Match - Time, Duties & Responsibilities of Umpires & Time Keepers

17.1 DURATION OF THE GAME, QUARTERS & INTERVALS
17.1.1 All matches shall be of four quarters each of 20 minutes playing time.

17.1.2 The time allowed between the end of the first quarter and the start of the second quarter shall be sufficient to permit teams to change ends, but shall not exceed three minutes. At half time the players may leave the playing ground for not more than 15 minutes, the match must recommence not later than 20 minutes after the conclusion of the second quarter. At the conclusion of the 20 minute period, the time keepers shall notify the field umpire by sounding the siren. Between the end of the third quarter and the start of the last quarter, there shall be an interval of not more than five minutes.

17.1.3 The time keepers shall indicate the end of each quarter by sounding the siren and the ball shall be deemed dead and play shall cease when any one of the field umpires hears the first sound of the siren. The field umpire shall signify that the siren has been heard by blowing his whistle and holding up both hands provided no breach of the laws has occurred and except when the ball is in transit or when a player has been awarded a mark or free kick prior to the first sound of a siren, the player is permitted to take his kick.

17.1.4 In the event of an encroachment of the area of play by unauthorised persons, or that play is prevented by any other means, the field umpire shall seek the assistance of his fellow umpires and/or other constituted authority to clear the playing arena so that the match may be resumed. If the field umpire is unable to do this within a reasonable time, he shall terminate play at that time and report all circumstances to the controlling body. This body may award the result or declare the match abandoned or call a replay at its discretion.

17.1.5 The duration of games and intervals may be varied by Controlling Bodies for under age competitions.

17.2 TIME KEEPERS
The Controlling Body shall appoint two or more independent time keepers, or in the absence of such arrangements, each team shall appoint a time keeper, whose duties shall be:

17.2.1 To keep the time of each quarter on time cards and forward the completed cards in accordance with the procedures of the controlling body.

17.2.2 To sound a siren at the start and finish of each quarter, and to keep sounding it until the field umpire notifies them that he has heard it.

17.2.3 To add time on to the playing time of the quarter as required under these Laws.

17.3 TIME ON
Time keepers shall add "time on" as follows:

17.3.1 When directed to do so by the field umpire when there is undue delay in play.

17.3.2 When the goal umpire signals that a goal has been scored.

17.3.3 When the goal umpire signals that a behind has been scored.

17.3.4 When a boundary umpire signals that the ball is out of bounds.

17.4 TIME ON WHEN CEASED
Time keepers shall stop adding time on when instructed by the field umpire, when the ball is bounced in the centre after a goal, kicked in after a behind has been scored, thrown in by the boundary umpire, returned to play by a player or when the ball is onviously in play.

17.5 DOMESTIC PROVISIONS
Controlling Bodies may delete the requirements of Law 17.3.4 to suit local circumstances.

17.6 TIME ON INDICATED
The field umpire shall adopt the following procedure for indicating "Time On" to the time keepers.

17.6.1 To indicate the commencement of the time added period, the field umpire shall blow his whistle and raise one arm above his head.

17.6.2 To indicate that the time added period has elapsed, the field umpire shall again blow his whistle and raise one arm above his head.

17.7 FORFEIT
Where a team fails to appear or where a team forfeits during the progress of a match, full premiership points should be awarded to the team receiving the forfeit. At the conclusion of the minor round, it should also be credited and debited with the average number of points scored against and by the forfeiting team. Similarly, the forfeiting team should be credited and debited with the average points against and for the team receiving the forfeit.

In the event an affected team considers itself disadvantaged, it may appeal to its Controlling Body for a variation of points credited and debited.