Awarded to a team when an opposing player contravenes Australian Football League rules, these opportunities provide a set play from the mark where the infraction occurred. A common example involves a player being illegally tackled high, resulting in a free kick to the tackled player’s team.
These awards can significantly influence match outcomes. Possession gained through these decisions enables scoring opportunities and territorial advantage. Historically, the rate at which these decisions are awarded to or against a team has been a point of discussion and analysis among fans and commentators.