Follower (Australian rules football)

In Australian rules football, the followers are the players 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 opposed to 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.[citation needed]

Australian rules football positions
B: back pocket full-back back pocket
HB: half-back flank centre half-back half-back flank
C: wing centre wing
HF: half-forward flank centre half-forward half-forward flank
F: forward pocket full-forward forward pocket
Foll: ruckman ruck rover rover
Int: interchange bench interchange bench interchange bench
interchange bench
Coach: coach

Ruckman

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The ruckman's job is to 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 or rover can run onto it.

Notable ruckmen in Australian football over the years include:

Ruck-rover

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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.[3] 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.[3] The closest equivalent of the follower position in today's game is known as a tagger.[3]

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 170–190 cm in height.

Notable followers and ruck-rovers in Australian football over the years include:

Rover

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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:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Pascoe, 1995, p. 38
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pascoe, 1995, p. 39
  3. ^ a b c d Pascoe, 1995, p. 41
  4. ^ "Team of the Century". sturtfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Team of the Century". hawthornfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  6. ^ a b Pascoe, 1995, p. 42
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Pascoe, 1995, p. 40
  8. ^ a b "AFL Hall of Fame Players". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  9. ^ "2012 Australia Post Australian Legends Stamps". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.

Bibliography

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  • Pascoe, Robert (1995). The winter game : the complete history of Australian football. Port Melbourne: The Text Publishing Company. ISBN 0-85561-644-X.

See also

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