Ruck Rover
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), current AFL career games record holder (426)
- Robert Harvey
- Heath Hocking
- Chris Judd
- Jobe Watson
- Daniel Kerr
- Garry Hocking (Geelong, 1987-2001)
- Michael McGuane (Collingwood and Carlton, 1987-1997)
- Brad Sewell
Read more about this topic: Follower (Australian Rules Football)
Famous quotes containing the word rover:
“One dreadful sound could the Rover hear,
A sound as if, with the Inchcape Bell,
The Devil below was ringing his knell.”
—Robert Southey (1774–1843)