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.
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:
Graham "Polly" Farmer (East Perth, Geelong and West Perth, 1953-1971), Sandover Medallist 1956, 1957, 1960; Named first ruck in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
John Nicholls (Carlton, 1957-1974), Named back pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
Jack Dyer
Roy Wright Brownlow Medallist 1952, 1954
Carl Ditterich (St Kilda and Melbourne, 1963-1980)
John "Sam" Newman (Geelong, 1964-1980)
Gary Dempsey (Footscray and North Melbourne, 1967-1984), Brownlow Medallist 1975
Don Scott (Hawthorn, 1967-1981)
Graham Moss (Claremont and Essendon, 1968-1983), Brownlow Medallist 1976
Barry Round (Footscray and Sydney, 1969-1986), Brownlow Medallist 1981
Rick Davies (Sturt, Hawthorn and South Adelaide, 1970-1986)
Simon Madden (Essendon, 1974-1992), Norm Smith Medallist 1985
Peter Moore (Collingwood and Melbourne, 1974-1987), Brownlow Medallist 1979, 1984
Justin Madden (Essendon and Carlton, 1980-1996)
Paul Salmon
Jim Stynes (Melbourne, 1987-1998), Brownlow Medallist 1991
Scott Wynd (Western Bulldogs, 1988-2000), Brownlow Medallist 1992
Peter Everitt
Dean Cox
Shaun Rehn (West Adelaide, Adelaide and Hawthorn, 1990-2002)
Matthew Primus
Jeff White
Corey McKernan
Aaron Sandilands
Todd Goldstein
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. This position disappeared in the 1950s with the success of Ron Barassi, Jr. in a role designated for him by Melbourne coach Norm Smith. The closest equivalent of the follower position in today's game is known as a tagger.
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:
Ron Barassi, Jr. (Melbourne and Carlton, 1953-1969)
Paul Bagshaw (Sturt, 1964-1980),
Michael Tuck (Hawthorn, 1972-1991), former AFL career games record holder (426)
Robert Harvey
Chris Judd
Jobe Watson
Daniel Kerr
Garry Hocking (Geelong, 1987-2001)
Michael McGuane (Collingwood and Carlton, 1987-1997)
Brad Sewell
Trent Cotchin
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:
Harry Collier (Collingwood, 1926-1940), Brownlow Medallist 1930
Haydn Bunton, Sr. (Fitzroy, Subiaco and Port Adelaide, 1931-1945), Brownlow Medallist 1931, 1932, 1935; Sandover Medallist 1938, 1939, 1941; Named forward pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
Allan Ruthven (Fitzroy, 1940-1954) Brownlow Medallist 1950
Lou Richards (Collingwood, 1941-1955)
Bill Hutchison (Essendon, 1942-1957), Brownlow Medallist 1952, 1953
Steve Marsh (South Fremantle and East Fremantle, 1945-1958) Sandover Medallist 1952
Bob Skilton (South Melbourne, 1956-1971), Brownlow Medallist 1959, 1963, 1968; Named rover in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
Bill Goggin (Geelong, 1958-1971)
Ross G. Smith (St Kilda, 1961-1975), Brownlow medallist 1967
Bill Walker (Swan Districts, 1961-1976), Sandover Medallist 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970
Barry Cable (Perth, North Melbourne and East Perth, 1962-1979), Sandover Medallist 1964, 1968, 1973
Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 1965-1983)
Peter Crimmins (Hawthorn, 1966-1971)
Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn, 1969-1985), Named forward pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
Tony Liberatore (Western Bulldogs, 1986-2002), Brownlow Medallist 1990
John Platten (Hawthorn, 1986-1997), Magarey Medallist 1984, Brownlow Medallist 1987
Gary Ablett, Jr. (Geelong and Gold Coast, 2002- ), Brownlow Medallist 2009, 2013
