The centre line refers to a set of positions on an Australian rules football field.It consists of three players: two on the wings (left and right), and one in the centre.
Wing
editThe two wingmen control the open spaces in the middle of the ground.[1] They can vary in size, depending on team balance or opposition match-ups, but in general they need to be highly skilled, especially in kicking.[2] Wingmen also require considerable pace and stamina, as they run up and down the ground linking play between defence and attack.[2] The Victorian Football Association (VFA) abolished the wing role for many years, which sped up play and increased the average team score. However, this was not copied in other leagues.[1]
Notable wingmen in Australian football over the years include:
- Wilfred "Chicken" Smallhorn (Fitzroy, 1930-1940),[3] Brownlow Medallist 1933
- Herb Matthews (South Melbourne, 1932-1945),[3] Brownlow Medallist 1940
- Thorold Merrett (Collingwood, 1950-1960)[3]
- Stan Alves (Melbourne and North Melbourne, 1965-1979)[3]
- Dick Clay (Richmond, 1966-1976)[3]
- Keith Greig (North Melbourne, 1971-1985),[3] Brownlow Medallist 1973, 1974 and also named on wing in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Bryan Wood (Richmond and Essendon, 1972-1986)[3]
- Robbie Flower (Melbourne, 1973-1987)[3]
- Russell Greene (St Kilda and Hawthorn, 1974-1988)[3]
- Michael Turner (Geelong, 1974-1988)[3]
- Robert DiPierdomenico (Hawthorn, 1975-1991), Brownlow Medallist 1986[3]
- Doug Hawkins (Footscray and Fitzroy, 1978-1995)[4]
- Dennis Carroll (Sydney, 1981-1991)[3]
- Darren Millane (Collingwood, 1984-1991)[5]
- Chris Mainwaring (West Coast, 1987-1999)[3]
- Nicky Winmar (St. Kilda and Western Bulldogs, 1987-1999)[3]
- Peter Matera (West Coast, 1990-2002)[3] Norm Smith Medallist 1992
- Peter Riccardi (Geelong, 1992-2006)[6]
Centre
editThe centre player usually consists of a hard-running midfielder capable of feeding outside running teammates.
Notable centres in Australian football over the years include:
- Tom MacKenzie (West Torrens and North Adelaide, 1901-1913) Magarey Medallist 1902, 1905, 1906
- Jock McHale (Collingwood, 1903-1920)[3]
- Edward "Carji" Greeves (Geelong, 1923-1933),[7] inaugural winner of the Brownlow Medal in 1924
- Allan Hopkins (Footscray, 1925-1934),[7] Brownlow Medallist 1930
- Allan La Fontaine (Melbourne, 1934-1945)[7]
- Les Foote (North Melbourne and St Kilda, 1941-1955)[7]
- Jack Clarke (Australian footballer, born 1933) (Essendon, 1951-1967)[7]
- Denis Marshall (Claremont and Geelong, 1958-1972)[7]
- Ian Stewart, (St Kilda and Richmond, 1963-1975),[7] Brownlow Medallist 1965, 1966, 1971
- Russell Ebert (Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, 1968-1985),[8] Magarey Medallist 1971, 1974, 1976, 1980
- Maurice Rioli (South Fremantle and Richmond, 1975-1990),[9] Norm Smith Medallist 1982
- Tony Shaw (Collingwood, 1977-1994),[7] Norm Smith Medallist 1990
- Terry Wallace (Hawthorn, Richmond and Footscray, 1978-1991)[7]
- Garry McIntosh (Norwood, 1982-1998),[10] Magarey Medallist 1994, 1995
- Greg Williams (Geelong, Sydney and Carlton, 1984-1997),[7] Brownlow Medallist 1986, 1994
- Paul Couch (Geelong, 1985-1997),[7] Brownlow Medallist 1989
- Nathan Buckley (Port Adelaide Magpies, Brisbane Bears and Collingwood, 1991-2007), Magarey Medallist 1992; Norm Smith Medallist 2002; Brownlow Medallist 2003
- Michael Voss
- Mark McVeigh
- Mark Ricciuto
- Ben Cousins
- James Hird
- Shane Crawford
- Scott West
- Jobe Watson
- Chris Judd
References
editBibliography
edit- Pascoe, Robert (1995). The winter game : the complete history of Australian football. Port Melbourne: The Text Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-85561-644-1.