Opinion Non-Crows AFL 6: This Is Getting Cruel

[arrowman]

In the olden days AFL footballers playing in the midfield were known as Rucks, Ruck-rovers, Rovers, Centremen and Wingmen.

That is how I recall it. And IIRC the Ruck, Ruck-rover, rover and centreman were, as a group, known as "followers" because they followed the play around the ground, while everyone else more or less stuck to their positions.

I don't know when "midfielder" became a thing, but it was post the "ruck-rover etc" stage.

I'll admit I've always thought of "midfielder" as a name for the 4x "middle" players, excluding the wings, but it makes sense to include the wings in the "midfield". And it certainly makes sense when you start talking about "inside and outside" midfielders.

 

[arrowman]

I did laugh at one of them hoping they'd finish bottom so that they'd get rid of Hinkley and get pick 1.

North Melbourne would be very happy with that scenario.

I think the best (realistic*) result would be wooden spoon in 2023, with pick 1 going to North LOL, followed by a new coach spike in 2024-25 - no flag or even GF, just enough to spoil their draft hand, before reversion to mid-table.

* I say realistic because I'm afraid Hinkley is gone, short of another PF (at least) finish.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

People still care about these top 50 lists?

 

[GrommoT]

That is how I recall it. And IIRC the Ruck, Ruck-rover, rover and centreman were, as a group, known as "followers" because they followed the play around the ground, while everyone else more or less stuck to their positions.

I don't know when "midfielder" became a thing, but it was post the "ruck-rover etc" stage.

I'll admit I've always thought of "midfielder" as a name for the 4x "middle" players, excluding the wings, but it makes sense to include the wings in the "midfield". And it certainly makes sense when you start talking about "inside and outside" midfielders.

THIS page seems to have a good interpretation of the ruck-rover/rover to inside/outside midfielder correlation - seems to suggest the old ruck-rover as the inside/hybrid-inside/outside midfielder, and the rover as the more outside midfielder:
...
Ruck Rover
The ruck rover is one of the inside midfielders who must follow the ball around the field and enter contests whenever possible while defending. If the team is attacking, ruck rover's job is to avoid contests and free themselves to become an alternate target to receive the ball from the ruck.
Rover
Rover players are also inside midfielders, a fast player whose job is to receive the ball from the ruck and ruck rover and outrun opposing rucks. Their speed and agility allow them to apply pressure on the other team while defending.
...


THIS page also looks a good explanation of midfielder positions.

 

[Apsaalooke]

In the olden days AFL footballers playing in the midfield were known as Rucks, Ruck-rovers, Rovers, Centremen and Wingmen.

Rovers had to be 5 feet 6 inches maximum to qualify, anything over that automatically made you a ruck-rover.

Your best player, usually the captain, was generally the centreman.
The old joke was 'What would you do if Jesus came back to Earth?'
Answer 'Move Russell Ebert to a half forward flank"

 

[arrowman]

Rovers had to be 5 feet 6 inches maximum to qualify, anything over that automatically made you a ruck-rover.

Your best player, usually the captain, was generally the centreman.
The old joke was 'What would you do if Jesus came back to Earth?'
Answer 'Move Russell Ebert to a half forward flank"

...and Westhoff to defence.

 

[GreyCrow]

Throughout his playing career, Bagshaw played mostly as ruck-rover, but also was an effective key position player

Robran played most of his time at centre half-forward, but was versatile enough to also play in the centre or on the ball as a ruck-rover

In 1969 Ebert moved from the forward line to the centre and consolidated the position as his own in the Port Adelaide line up

Blight had a break-out year in 1972, kicking 45 goals while playing mainly as a ruck-rover

This is who I think of as ruck-rover

 

[martyparty]

Throughout his playing career, Bagshaw played mostly as ruck-rover, but also was an effective key position player

Robran played most of his time at centre half-forward, but was versatile enough to also play in the centre or on the ball as a ruck-rover

In 1969 Ebert moved from the forward line to the centre and consolidated the position as his own in the Port Adelaide line up

Blight had a break-out year in 1972, kicking 45 goals while playing mainly as a ruck-rover

This is who I think of as ruck-rover

Michael Tuck = ruck-rover

 

[GrommoT]

Throughout his playing career, Bagshaw played mostly as ruck-rover, but also was an effective key position player

Robran played most of his time at centre half-forward, but was versatile enough to also play in the centre or on the ball as a ruck-rover

In 1969 Ebert moved from the forward line to the centre and consolidated the position as his own in the Port Adelaide line up

Blight had a break-out year in 1972, kicking 45 goals while playing mainly as a ruck-rover

This is who I think of as ruck-rover

Would be interesting looking at these players through a current day football filter - playing midfield, were they inside, outside or hybrid?

I'm going by:

* inside mids are those that go into/under packs to get/contest for the ball - usually means a stronger/larger type of player required

* outside mids are those who receive the ball (or pick up without needing to contest) and runs away from the pack - usually means the faster running players

* hybrid mids are those who can (and do) do both.

 

[martyparty]

People still care about these top 50 lists?

Nah..means nothing except to prove how out of touch a Vic journo might be.

 

[martyparty]

Would be interesting looking at these players through a current day football filter - playing midfield, were they inside, outside or hybrid?

I'm going by:

* inside mids are those that go into/under packs to get/contest for the ball - usually means a stronger/larger type of player required

* outside mids are those who receive the ball (or pick up without needing to contest) and runs away from the pack - usually means the faster running players

* hybrid mids are those who can (and do) do both.

Speaking of hybrids… found a pic of a former Crow, now a Cat..

 

[ABAB]

That is how I recall it. And IIRC the Ruck, Ruck-rover, rover and centreman were, as a group, known as "followers" because they followed the play around the ground, while everyone else more or less stuck to their positions.

I don't know when "midfielder" became a thing, but it was post the "ruck-rover etc" stage.

I'll admit I've always thought of "midfielder" as a name for the 4x "middle" players, excluding the wings, but it makes sense to include the wings in the "midfield". And it certainly makes sense when you start talking about "inside and outside" midfielders.

And draft analyst mention inside midfield or outside midfield or inside/outside midfield or winger.

 

[martyparty]

And draft analyst mention inside midfield or outside midfield or inside/outside midfield or winger.

Found a shop for you, but you’d have to wing it to WA (not Wing Attack)…

 

[Scorpus]

Where did all the people that booed Goodes for "playing dirty" go?

There's more than enough evidence to suggest Trent Cotchin

9

Trent Cotchin

Age

34

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.4

5star

K

13.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

5.2

5star

D

19.0

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

9.5

5star

M

2.7

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

3.5

4star

D

16.6

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.0

3star

should have been mercilessly booed for the last few seasons

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Where did all the people that booed Goodes for "playing dirty" go?

Probably hanging out in the politics thread.

 

[spenze]

People still care about these top 50 lists?

they aren't even in the top 50 things of shit I care about

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

Where did all the people that booed Goodes for "playing dirty" go?

There's more than enough evidence to suggest Trent Cotchin should have been mercilessly booed for the last few seasons

I hate them both

 

[spenze]

Where did all the people that booed Goodes for "playing dirty" go?

There's more than enough evidence to suggest Trent Cotchin should have been mercilessly booed for the last few seasons

Not allowed to boo players anymore, it's racist.

 

[martyparty]

Mali says Footy Express busses to continue but at greater cost to Adelaide Oval, the Crows and Poort…

 

[1970crow]

Pretty strong top 50 if Dawson doesn't get a gig.

if our b&f made it at 49, it's not surprising the runner up didn't make the 50.

 

[BACCS]

View attachment 1623595
Mali says Footy Express busses to continue but at greater cost to Adelaide Oval, the Crows and Poort…

He also mentioned on MMM last night that the AFL have promised SA will get 'Gather Round' at least one more time within the next 2-3 years and that there are talks with the council to hold a street party on The Parade before and after the game during Gather Round.

 

[martyparty]

He also mentioned on MMM last night that the AFL have promised SA will get 'Gather Round' at least one more time within the next 2-3 years and that there are talks with the council to hold a street party on The Parade before and after the game during Gather Round.

martyparty does a party (but I’ve gone off ALL political parties).

 

[StickerMan]

For those that are interested.

Boys in the GF tonight. In a spot of bother. Need 29 off of 24 with one wicket in hand.

 

[treeman]

Just at Ed Sheeran tonight. Got some hot chips. Went to grab some chicken salt. But was only offered plain salt.
Does that mean no chicken salt offering this year at Adelaide Oval? If yes very disappointing!
Chicken bites and pizza was far worse than last year too.

 

[martyparty]

Just at Ed Sheeran tonight. Got some hot chips. Went to grab some chicken salt. But was only offered plain salt.
Does that mean no chicken salt offering this year at Adelaide Oval? If yes very disappointing!
Chicken bites and pizza was far worse than last year too.

Are they shearin’ you on the tucker prices?