Ruckman
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)
- 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
- David Hille
- 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
Read more about this topic: Follower (Australian Rules Football)