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AFL FAQs - The Players
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Anybody can enjoy playing the game, at
any level, at any weight scale and at any size. Elite
champions in the AFL can be anywhere from 160cm to 210cm
(5'3 to 6'10). The trick is in getting the balance right
as you need tall and short players at every contest.
The tall players contest loose and high balls, the shorts
look for balls running free. Speed is important, but
so is durability and strength.
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The ideal player in the modern era
is one who is about 188cm (6'2) tall, is strong, can
run all day and is fast enough to be competitive over
the 100 metres dash. Some player.
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Full-Forward
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AFL
footballers are so versatile that full-forward is about
the only position on the ground in which a player may
play exclusively and still carve out a successful career.
Full-forwards are football’s heroes.
They must be able to take great marks both overhead
and on the lead, kick accurately (particularly under
pressure) and be able to cope with the constant attention
of the full-backs.
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Their
success or otherwise rests solely on their capacity to
kick goals, with the great full-forwards in history averaging
more than four goals per game |
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Full-Back |
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The
full-back is the team’s last line of defence. Players
in this position don’t give the opposition a moment’s
rest. They will stand beside a full-forward, harass him,
punch the ball away when it comes near him and generally
attempt to spoil his day on the football field. |
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Full-backs generally enjoy running straight
at the football, have good pace and are strong. Above
all, full-backs are fearless.
A rare but exciting event in Australian
Football is when a full-back runs to the other end of
the ground to kick a goal.
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Ruck |
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The
style and requirements of the ruck position have evolved
over the years. The newest style of ruck play to emerge
is the mobile ruckman, who is not overly tall, but endowed
with a good leap, great running power and the capacity
to move forward of the action to create mismatches in
the scoring zone. These ruckmen are capable of kicking
30 to 40 goals in a season.
The older style of rucking, which is still
employed by some players, is to play a kick behind the
play using strength and intimidating qualities to mark
strongly and give off the football by handballing to
running teammates.
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Ruckmen are also required to contest at
centre bounces, at around the ground ball-ups and at
boundary throw-ins either palming the ball to teammates
or punching the ball to the team’s advantage.
Many ruckman change off the bench
and it is generally considered they need a few years
to peak.
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Midfielder |
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These
players were once known as centremen, rovers or ruck rovers,
but are now more commonly referred to as midfielders.
Such is the expectation of constant running
that is placed on midfielders that many clubs rotate
a group of up to eight players through the midfield
to maintain the intensity through that part of the ground.
Great midfielders have great endurance,
fantastic disposal, pace and are capable of coping with
very close attention from the opposition. Games can
be won or lost according to a team’s capacity to
outgun the opposition in the midfield.
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Statistics show that sides capable of
winning the ball in the midfield and thus moving it
forward more often than the opposition have a high success
rate.
Midfielders are expected to run
deep into defence to flood or crowd the opposition’s
forward line to narrow the options for the team bringing
the ball into its forward line.
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Centre
Half-Forward |
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In
football, there is a mantra: you can’t win a premiership
without a centre half-forward. Centre half-forward is
generally acknowledged as the most difficult position
in football.
Contesting for the football in the area
forward of the centre circle and just in front of the
‘hot spot’ (an area 30 metres directly in
front of goal) is no easy feat.
Essendon’s James
Hird uses his fantastic endurance and speed to run his
opponent ragged and always provides an option for teammates
looking upfield. Hird also possesses courage - a must
for a centre half-forward - in huge doses.
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There are different methods of playing
centre half-forward. Kangaroos champion Wayne Carey
is renowned for his capacity to take a contested mark
and use his strength to absorb opposition attention,
allowing teammates to gather a loose ball. He also kicked
80 goals in 1998 playing at centre half-forward.
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Centre
Half-Back |
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Centre
half-back is a defensive role, but good players in this
position do have the capacity to control a game. Theoretically
easier to play than centre half-forward because the player
can run straight at the ball to clear from defence, centre
half-backs often need to play on the opposition’s
best player. |
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Centre
half-backs have good pace, mark well, are never intimidated
and possess great strength. |
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Half-Back
Flank |
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Once
a position for solid dependable types, half-back flank
is now a position for speedy types with the confidence
to run with the ball and take on the opposition. Coaches
will often give their half-back flankers the licence to
attack out of defence in an attempt to catch out the opposition
with a quick counter attack. Half-back flankers need good
pace and great kicking skills. |
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If
a team makes a turnover around half-back, often the opposition
will be caught out as players have run forward anticipating
the ball continuing to move in their direction. |
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Half-Forward
Flank / Forward Pockets |
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Smaller
pacy forward line players don’t play in set positions
as they once did. Most clubs like to have crumbing type
players at the fall of the ball when the centre half-forward
or full-forward is contesting marks.
Players such as the Kangaroos’ Winston
Abraham and Melbourne’s Jeff Farmer fall into this
category.
The other type of half-forward is the
mobile, smart player who marks well for his size and
kicks accurately. They are strong players who keep their
feet well and are capable of kicking multiple goals.
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Players
in these roles are extremely dangerous around goal and
opponents need to be diligent when they are assigned the
task of keeping them quiet. Half-forwards and forward
pocket players can make the most of limited opportunities. |
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Although
records show the concept of a Players Association was
first conceived in 1955, it was not until 1974 that a
Players Association, in its current form emerged. The
VFL Players Association as it was then known, was developed
to provide players with a unified voice through which
to express their concerns and aspirations.
The VFLPA was developed to negotiate with
the Victorian Football League and potential sponsors,
with the view to improving playing terms and conditions
for all footballers.
In 1990, the VFLPA changed its name to
the AFL Players Association and signed its first Collective
Bargaining Agreement with the AFL. This was eventually
called a Deed of Agreement and was, in effect, a Standard
Playing Contract.
In July 1992 the Players Association negotiated
a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. This included
a minimum salary of $7,500, minimum payments of $750
for a senior game and $250 for a reserves game.
In 1995 negotiations began on a new Collective
Bargaining Agreement. This new CBA period was from 1st
November 1995 to 31st October 1998 and increased minimum
salaries for season 1996 to $15,000 and match payments
to $1000 per senior game. These payments further increased
to $20,000 and $1500 in 1997, and $20,680 and $1550
in 1998. The players gained an increase in the share
of revenue from marketing activities and an increase
in injury and illness benefits.
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In 1998, the AFLPA achieved a membership
of 100% for the first time in the Association’s
history.
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement
again increased the minimum payments for players –
to $35,000 base and $1750 per senior game. The new CBA
introduced set payments for first time draftees, increased
annual leave for players and improved injury/illness
benefits. A long term injury list was established, as
was a Veteran’s List. The players were also given
the opportunity to market their image more broadly with
the redefinition of the salary cap to include only football
related player payments.
The agreement gave players an opportunity
to contribute to the direction of the game as a whole
and was a benchmark agreement for other sporting codes.
The new CBA also provided for the Association
to receive an increased share of the AFL’s revenue.
The increased revenue has been used to finance player
development and welfare programs.
A Retirement Fund was also established
in 1999. From 1999 onwards players accumulate $10,000
per year, for every year they play football. The money
is forwarded to players following their retirement and
can be used to plan for life after football. A Past
Player Trust Fund was also established. Through the
fund, past players can apply for a maximum grant of
$5,000 to be used in times of genuine hardship.
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In
1996 the AFL and the AFLPA along with several leading
player agents jointly established the AFL/AFLPA Player
Agents Accreditation Scheme to ensure the ever growing
number of player agents had a voice within the AFL System.
The Association also sought to provide
a means through which it could contribute to improving
the quality and the professionalism of player agents
for the benefit of all AFL footballers. Existing agents
felt it was their responsibility to improve the industry
and to ensure that competent professional agents represented
all players.
In order to become a member of the AFL
Player Agents Association, an agent must pass an exam
on the Rules and Regulations of the AFL, Draft Rules,
Collective Bargaining Agreement, Standard Playing Contract
and general issues associated with the AFL. The Association
stipulates a pass mark of 85%. Following this exam,
the agent must agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations
of the Association.
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Agents
maintain their accreditation each year, by accumulating
points in an on-going education process. This includes
attending conferences and workshops run by the Association
and other professional bodies. This process is designed
so that the Association can ensure that all Accredited
Agents have maintained their knowledge of the AFL Rules
and Procedures and can represent their clients professionally,
ethically and honourably. |
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At
the end of each season around 100 players from around
Australia participate in the final screening process for
the AFL Draft which takes place in Melbourne.
The AFL Draft Camp now plays an integral
role in not only assessing but educating AFL prospects
with components including:
Psycho-Motor Skills testing
Visual Test
TAIS (Test of Attentional Interpersonal Style)
Fitness Testing
AFL Club Induction
Introduction to AFL Anti Doping Policy
Skill Assessment
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A
Brief History |
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The
first All-Australian team was selected in 1950 and comprised
the best-performed players at the Australian Football
Carnival in Brisbane. This practice continued after each
subsequent series until the 1988 Bicentenary Carnival.
All-Australian teams were selected in 1950, 1953, 1956,
1958, 1961, 1966, 1969, 1972, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985,
1986, 1987 and 1988.
In 1982, the first AFL Team of the Year
was chosen by the Victorian selectors. With the development
of the national competition, the concept was changed
slightly and, in 1991, the first AFL All-Australian
team was selected. It is now an annual event.
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All-Australian teams are also selected
following the AFL Under-16 and Under-18 National Championships.
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Selection |
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Selection
in the All-Australian team is considered one of football’s
highest honors. Players selected are recognised as being
the elite in their position for that particular season.
To be selected more than once in the All-Australian team
means you are considered one of the superstars of the
competition.
The AFL All-Australian team is selected,
in position, at the end of the season by a committee
appointed by the AFL. Selection used to be a symbolic,
though significant achievement. However now, All-Australian
players are automatically selected to represent Australia
in the International Rules Series played between Australia
and Ireland in October.
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The premiership coach automatically becomes
the All-Australian coach and is invited to assist the
Australian coach in the International Rules Series.
An All-Australian umpire is also selected.
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2000
AFL All-Australian Team |
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Backs:
Damien Hardwick (Essendon), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon),
Andrew Kellaway (Richmond)
Half-backs: Andrew McKay (Carlton), Darren Gaspar (Richmond),
Simon Goodwin (Adelaide)
Centres: Scott West (Western Bulldogs), Brett Ratten (Carlton),
Scott Camporeale (Carlton)
Half-forwards: Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Wayne Carey (c)
(Kangaroos), James Hird (Essendon)
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Forwards:
Jeff Farmer (Melbourne), Matthew Lloyd (Essendon), Michael
O'Loughlin (Sydney)
Ruck: Steven King (Geelong), Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton),
Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
Interchange: Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide), Brad Johnson (Western
Bulldogs), Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Lance Whitnall (Carlton)
Coach - Kevin Sheedy
Umpire - Brett Allen |
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Perhaps
the greatest honour in this book is to be named in the
Team of the Century. You have to be the very best of the
best to get a spot in this team.
Backs: Bernie Smith (Geelong), Stephen
Silvagni (Carlton), John Nicholls (Carlton)
Half-backs: Bruce Doull (Carlton), Ted Whitten (Footscray),
Kevin Murray (Fitzroy)
Centres: Keith Greig (North Melbourne), Ian Stewart
(St Kilda, Richmond), Francis Bourke (Richmond)
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Half-forwards: Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton,
St Kilda), Royce Hart (Richmond), Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
Forwards: Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn), John Coleman (Essendon),
Haydn Bunton (Fitzroy)
Followers: Graham Farmer (Geelong), Ron Barassi (Melbourne,
Carlton)
Rover: Bob Skilton (South Melbourne)
Interchange: Gary Ablett (Hawthorn, Geelong), Jack Dyer
(Richmond), Greg Williams (Geelong, Sydney, Carlton)
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