Follower (Australian rules football)

In Australian rules football, the followers are the players in the 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.

Australian rules football positions
B: back pocket fullback 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

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

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 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

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:

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References
  1. Pascoe, 1995, p. 38
  2. Pascoe, 1995, p. 39
  3. 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. Pascoe, 1995, p. 42
  7. Pascoe, 1995, p. 40
  8. "AFL Hall of Fame Players". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Bibliography
  • 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
  • Football (Australian rules) positions
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