Australian Hockey League Like in previous editions, teams are split into Pool A and Pool B. At the conclusion of the pool stage however, teams contest in a quarterfinal format, with each team still eligible to contest the medal round. 2018 Rule Innovations Played under FIH international rules. 4 x 15 minute quarters. At the end of the second and fourth quarters, one team is given a PumpPlay. During this 5-minute period, teams are reduced to 9 players, and goals for the team in possession of the PumpPlay are worth double. If a field goal or penalty stroke is scored, that player has an immediate one on one with the goalkeep for an extra goal. If any match culminates in a draw, the teams will contest a penalty shoot-out to determine a winner. Point system Australian Hockey League Teams Australian Capital Territory Both the men's and women's Australian Capital Territory representative teams entered the AHL in the inaugural year for each gender, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The men and women have both previously represented ACT under different names. The men have represented as the ACT Lakers (2011), while the women have previously represented as the ACTAS Strikers (1995–1996) and the ACT Strikers (2011). New South Wales Both the men's and women's New South Wales representative teams entered the AHL in the inaugural year for each gender, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The men and women have both previously represented NSW under different names. The men have represented as the Sydney Stingrays (1991–1992), the Sydney Scorpions (1993–1994), the NSW Warriors (1995–2000) and the NSW Panthers (2001–2004). The women have previously represented as the NSWIS Arrows (2000–2004). Northern Territory Both the men's and women's Northern Territory representative teams entered the AHL at different times. While the women joined in the tournament's inaugural year of 1993, the men didn't join until 1998. While participating for the first three years, the women's team were absent from the AHL between 1996 and 1999. The men and women have both previously represented NT under different names. The men have represented as the Territory Stingers (2001–2008) and the Darwin Stingers (2010, 2012), while the women have represented as the Darwin Blazez (1993–1995) and the Territory Pearls (2006–2007, 2010). Queensland Both the men's and women's Queensland representative teams entered the AHL in the inaugural year for each gender, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The men and women have both previously