Essendon Football Club is proud to again field a team in the Robert Rose Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) in 2025, having joined the competition in its inaugural 2018 season.
The Bombers enter the 2025 VWFL season on the back of an elimination final defeat, and will again compete against Collingwood, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Richmond for the upcoming season.
Rules
Disposal
A handball is equivalent to a kick, and a single-handed underarm throw is equivalent to a handpass in wheelchair football.
When throwing the ball, the player's arm must remain under shoulder height for the disposal to be legal. There is no kicking in Wheelchair AFL. A double-handed chest pass is classed as an illegal disposal.
Ball-ups
At a centre ball-up, both centre players must contest the ruck. Each team is permitted to have one additional team member in the centre zone. Should a team have more than one additional team member in the centre zone, a free will be awarded against the offending team.
How long does a game run for?
All matches consist of four 10-minute quarters with no time on.
What positions do the players play?
There are designated zones (forward, centre and defence) which dictate where assigned players can play.
In a five against five match, the positions are as follows:
- Two forwards (can only move in the forward or centre zones, and only the designated forwards can score)
- Two defenders (can only move in the centre and back zones)
- One centre (can move in all zones)
Who can play?
For a player to be eligible to participate in the league, he or she must identify as having a physical disability.
What does the playing field look like?
Games will be played on a basketball court.
Each game should be played with five players on either side, which is the maximum numbers of players on the court at one time. The minimum to constitute a game is three against three. There are no restrictions to how many players can be on the bench.
What size ball is used?
The appropriate ball for the VWFL is a size five synthetic Sherrin.
To be a part of Essendon's wheelchair football team, get in touch via email (community@essendonfc.com.au).
