Glossary of Australian Rules Football - M

M

Major

a goal.

Man-on-man

the "traditional" defensive style of a defender playing close to an opposition forward. See zone-off.

Man on the mark

the defensive player who stands where his opponent took a mark or received a free kick. The man on the mark holds his arms in the air, in an attempt to block his opponent's kick, or at least force him to take the kick from several metres further back to prevent it from being blocked.

Mark

a clean catch of the ball after it has been kicked by another player (either by a teammate or by the opposition), before it has touched the ground, or been touched by any other player, and after it has travelled a minimum of 15 metres. The term also refers to the spot on the ground where the mark or free kick took place.

Melee

an unacceptable gathering of players involved in deliberate physical contact. Can lead to suspensions and fines.

Midfield

an indicative area of the ground that covers half-forward to half-back down the centre, and out to the wings and flanks.

Midfielder

a player who roams and plays within the midfield.

"Mine!"

a call by the field umpire when the football is caught in a contest and in the opinion of the umpire the ball can not escape the contest. The umpire will then perform a ball-up to recommence play.