AFL FAQs - The Players

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.

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.

Full-Forward

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Centre half-backs have good pace, mark well, are never intimidated and possess great strength.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

All-Australian teams are also selected following the AFL Under-16 and Under-18 National Championships.

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.

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.

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)

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)