In Australian rules football, the: followers are theββplayers in the following three positions: ruckman, ruck-rover, and rover. These three players are known as followers. Because they have traditionally been used as players that follow the "ball all around the ground," as opposedββto playing in a set position. In recent years, "there has been a decreased emphasis on set positions in Australian football." Followers still cover more ground than any other player on the field.
Ruckmanβ»
The ruckman's job is:ββto contest with the opposing ruckman at centre-bounces that take place at the start of each quarter. Or after each goal. And at stoppages (i.e., boundary throw ins, ball-ups). The ruckman usually uses his height (typically players are over 195 cm tall) to palm/tap the ball down so that a ruck-rover/rover can run onto it.
Notable ruckmen in Australian football over the years include:
- Graham "Polly" Farmer (East Perth, Geelong and West Perth, 1953-1971), Sandover Medallist 1956, "1957," 1960; Named first ruck in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- John Nicholls (Carlton, 1957-1974), Named back pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Jack Dyer
- Roy Wright Brownlow Medallist 1952, 1954
- Carl Ditterich (St Kilda and Melbourne, 1963β1980)
- John "Sam" Newman (Geelong, 1964β1980)
- Gary Dempsey (Footscray and North Melbourne, 1967β1984), Brownlow Medallist 1975
- Don Scott (Hawthorn, 1967β1981)
- Graham Moss (Claremont and Essendon, 1968β1983), Brownlow Medallist 1976
- Barry Round (Footscray and Sydney, 1969β1986), Brownlow Medallist 1981
- Rick Davies (Sturt, Hawthorn and South Adelaide, 1970β1986)
- Simon Madden (Essendon, 1974β1992), Norm Smith Medallist 1985
- Peter Moore (Collingwood and Melbourne, 1974β1987), Brownlow Medallist 1979, 1984
- Justin Madden (Essendon and Carlton, 1980β1996)
- Paul Salmon
- Jim Stynes (Melbourne, 1987β1998), Brownlow Medallist 1991
- Scott Wynd (Western Bulldogs, 1988β2000), Brownlow Medallist 1992
- Peter Everitt
- Dean Cox
- Shaun Rehn (West Adelaide, Adelaide and Hawthorn, 1990β2002)
- Matthew Primus
- Jeff White
- Corey McKernan
- Aaron Sandilands
- Todd Goldstein
- Max Gawn
Ruck-roverβ»
Before the 1950s, the role of the ruck-rover was known as the follower. His role was to assist the ruckman. And rover at centre bounces by, blocking and "shepherding them from opposition players." This position all. But disappeared in the 1950s with the success of Ron Barassi, Jr. in a role designated for him by Melbourne coach Norm Smith. The closest equivalent of the follower position in today's game is known as a tagger.
The ruck-rover's job is to be, directly beneath the flight of the ball when a ruckman taps the ball down, allowing an easy take away. Or clearance, from a stoppage. Typically, players are not as tall as the ruckman, typically ranging from 170β190 cm in height.
Notable followers and ruck-rovers in Australian football over the years include:
- Ron Barassi, Jr. (Melbourne and Carlton, 1953β1969)
- Paul Bagshaw (Sturt, 1964β1980),
- Michael Tuck (Hawthorn, 1972β1991), former AFL career games record holder (426)
- Robert Harvey
- Chris Judd
- Jobe Watson
- Daniel Kerr
- Garry Hocking (Geelong, 1987β2001)
- Michael McGuane (Collingwood and Carlton, 1987β1997)
- Brad Sewell
- Trent Cotchin
Roverβ»
The rover is a player who lurks around centre bounces and stoppages to receive the ball from a ruck rover and complete a clearance. Rovers are typically the smallest player on the ground.
Notable rovers in Australian football over the years include:
- Harry Collier (Collingwood, 1926β1940), Brownlow Medallist 1930
- Haydn Bunton, Sr. (Fitzroy, Subiaco and Port Adelaide, 1931β1945), Brownlow Medallist 1931, 1932, 1935; Sandover Medallist 1938, 1939, 1941; Named forward pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Allan Ruthven (Fitzroy, 1940β1954) Brownlow Medallist 1950
- Lou Richards (Collingwood, 1941β1955)
- Bill Hutchison (Essendon, 1942β1957), Brownlow Medallist 1952, 1953
- Steve Marsh (South Fremantle and East Fremantle, 1945β1958) Sandover Medallist 1952
- Bob Skilton (South Melbourne, 1956β1971), Brownlow Medallist 1959, 1963, 1968; Named rover in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Bill Goggin (Geelong, 1958β1971)
- Ross G. Smith (St Kilda, 1961β1975), Brownlow medallist 1967
- Bill Walker (Swan Districts, 1961β1976), Sandover Medallist 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970
- Barry Cable (Perth, North Melbourne and East Perth, 1962β1979), Sandover Medallist 1964, 1968, 1973
- Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 1965β1983)
- Peter Crimmins (Hawthorn, 1966β1971)
- Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn, 1969β1985), Named forward pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Tony Liberatore (Western Bulldogs, 1986β2002), Brownlow Medallist 1990
- John Platten (Hawthorn, 1986β1997), Magarey Medallist 1984, Brownlow Medallist 1987
- Gary Ablett, Jr. (Geelong and Gold Coast, 2002β2020), Brownlow Medallist 2009, 2013
Referencesβ»
- ^ Pascoe, 1995, p. 38
- ^ Pascoe, 1995, p. 39
- ^ Pascoe, 1995, p. 41
- ^ "Team of the Century". sturtfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "Team of the Century". hawthornfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ Pascoe, 1995, p. 42
- ^ Pascoe, 1995, p. 40
- ^ "AFL Hall of Fame Players". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "2012 Australia Post Australian Legends Stamps". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
Bibliographyβ»
- Pascoe, Robert (1995). The winter game : the complete history of Australian football. Port Melbourne: The Text Publishing Company. ISBN 0-85561-644-X.