What happens if I am bleeding during a match?

If the referee notices you are bleeding, or that your clothing or equipment is contaminated by blood, the referee stops play, calls time-out and signals the team trainer to attend.

• The trainer assesses whether you can be treated quickly on the field. If so, the referee tells you to drop out behind play and the match restarts immediately.
• If you need treatment off the field, the match does not restart until you have left the field. You can be interchanged, or your team can elect to play temporarily with 12 players.
• If the referee stops play twice for the same player and the same wound, you must be taken from the field for treatment.
• If you leave and are not interchanged, you may return at any time from an onside position. If you were interchanged, you can only return through the interchange official as a normal interchange player.
• A bleeding player who returns without having been interchanged may take a kick for goal. One who was interchanged may not take a kick for goal at that time.
• Stitching or stapling must be done in the team dressing room or shared medical facility, and the wound must then be bandaged or covered.
• If your clothing or equipment is contaminated by blood, you must be free of blood contamination before the referee lets you rejoin play, and until then you must at minimum drop out behind play. All but minor contamination requires replacing the clothing or equipment before you re-enter.
• Spitting is not permitted except in specified controlled areas, and players must not share drink containers.

Source: 2026 Statewide Competitions Operations Manual, section 3.