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.
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.[1] 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.[2] Although their first responsibility is to defend,[2] 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 (Melbourne and Hawthorn, 1920–1929)[1]
- Walter "Wacka" Scott (Norwood, 1920–1932),[3] Magarey Medallist 1921, 1924, 1930
- Albert "Leeter" Collier (Collingwood and Fitzroy, 1925–1941),[4] Brownlow Medallist 1929
- Reg Hickey (Geelong, 1926–1940)[4]
- Denis Cordner (Melbourne, 1943–1956)[4]
- Ron Clegg (South Melbourne, 1949–1960),[4] Brownlow medallist 1949
- Ian "Bluey" Shelton (Essendon, 1959–1965)[4]
- Peter Knights (Hawthorn, 1969–1985)[4]
- Bill Picken (Collingwood and Sydney, 1974–1986)[4]
- Jim Jess (Richmond, 1976–1988)[4]
- Ross Glendinning (North Melbourne and West Coast, 1978–1988),[4] Brownlow medallist 1983
- Paul Roos (Fitzroy and Sydney, 1982–1998)[4]
- Glen Jakovich (West Coast, 1991–2004)[4]
Half-back flank
The half-back flank was traditionally a defensive position, where reliability and toughness were more important than attacking flair.[1] 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.[5]
Notable half-back flankers over the years in Australian football include:
- Alec Epis (Essendon, 1958–1968)[1]
- Barry Davis (Essendon and North Melbourne, 1961–1975)[1]
- John Rantall (South Melbourne, North Melbourne and Fitzroy, 1963–1980)[1]
- Ian Bremner (Collingwood and Hawthorn, 1966–1976)[1]
- Bruce Doull (Carlton, 1969–1986),[1] Norm Smith Medallist 1981; Named Half-back flank in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
- Stephen Wallis (Footscray, 1983–1996)[1]
- Ken Hinkley (Fitzroy and Geelong, 1987–1995)[1]
- Guy McKenna (West Coast, 1988–2000)[1]
- Andrew McKay
- Rohan Smith
- Andrew McLeod
- Nigel Smart
- Luke Hodge
- Brendon Goddard
- Corey Enright
- Shannon Hurn
- Beau Waters
- Adam Saad
- Bachar Houli
- Christian Salem