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half-back line

{{Short description|Positions in Australian-rules football}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}

In the sport of Australian rules football, the half-back line refers to the positions of the 3 players on the field that occupy the centre half-back and left and right half-back flank positions.

{{Afl-field}}

Centre half-back

The role of the centre half-back is similar to that of a defensive midfielder in association football. As the first line of defence, the centre half-back must aim to break down opposition attacks before they can get into a scoring position.Pascoe, 1995, p. 28 Given that a centre half-back's opponent is usually the centre half-forward, the role is regarded as a key position in the team, and is usually reserved for tall and well-built players.

As one of the team's leaders, centre half-backs must be able to read the play and have good communication skills.{{cite web|url=http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/2010/playing-position-full-back/|title=Playing Position Centre Half Back|date=24 March 2010|first=John|last=Northey|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231005321/http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/2010/playing-position-full-back/|archive-date=31 December 2012}} Although their first responsibility is to defend, the great centre half-backs have proven to be equally creative in attack as well as reliable in defence.

Notable centre half-backs from over the years include:

  • Albert Chadwick ({{AFL Mel}} and {{AFL Haw}}, 1920–1929)
  • Walter "Wacka" Scott ({{SANFL Nor}}, 1920–1932),{{cite web|url=http://www.norwoodfc.com.au/HISTORY/TEAM_OF_THE_CENTURY.aspx|title=TEAM OF THE CENTURY|publisher=norwoodfc.com.au|access-date=11 August 2012}} Magarey Medallist 1921, 1924, 1930
  • Albert "Leeter" Collier ({{AFL Col}} and {{AFL Fit}}, 1925–1941),Pascoe, 1995, p. 29 Brownlow Medallist 1929
  • Reg Hickey ({{AFL Gee}}, 1926–1940)
  • Denis Cordner (Melbourne, 1943–1956)
  • Ron Clegg ({{AFL SM}}, 1949–1960), Brownlow medallist 1949
  • Ian "Bluey" Shelton ({{AFL Ess}}, 1959–1965)
  • Peter Knights (Hawthorn, 1969–1985)
  • Bill Picken (Collingwood and {{AFL Syd}}, 1974–1986)
  • Jim Jess ({{AFL Ric}}, 1976–1988)
  • Ross Glendinning ({{AFL NM}} and {{AFL WC}}, 1978–1988), Brownlow medallist 1983
  • Paul Roos (Fitzroy and Sydney, 1982–1998)
  • Glen Jakovich (West Coast, 1991–2004)

Half-back flank

The half-back flank was traditionally a defensive position, where reliability and toughness were more important than attacking flair. In the modern game, reliability and toughness must now be combined with the ability to run and carry the ball as well as take on the opposition in a counter-attacking style.{{cite book|url=http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/Coach_AFL/coaching_manual/2012_Youth_Coaching_Manual.pdf|title=AFL Youth Coaching Manual|page=92|chapter=Team Play and Game Plans: Position descriptions|year=2012|publisher=Australian Football League}}

Notable half-back flankers over the years in Australian football include:

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Bibliography

  • {{cite book|title=The winter game : the complete history of Australian football|first=Robert|last=Pascoe|year=1995|publisher=The Text Publishing Company|location=Port Melbourne|isbn=0-85561-644-X}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Half-Back Line}}

Category:Australian rules football terminology