Centre line (football) explained

The centre line refers to a set of positions on an Australian rules football field.It consists of three players: two on the wings (left and right), and one in the centre.

Wing

The two wingmen control the open spaces in the middle of the ground.^[1] They can vary in size, depending on team balance or opposition match-ups, but in general they need to be highly skilled, especially in kicking.^[2] Wingmen also require considerable pace and stamina, as they run up and down the ground linking play between defence and attack.^[2] The Victorian Football Association (VFA) abolished the wing role for many years, which sped up play and increased the average team score. However, this was not copied in other leagues.^[1]

Notable wingmen in Australian football over the years include:

• Wilfred "Chicken" Smallhorn (1930-1940),^[3] Brownlow Medallist 1933
• Herb Matthews (1932-1945),^[3] Brownlow Medallist 1940
• Thorold Merrett (1950-1960)^[3]
• Stan Alves (and, 1965-1979)^[3]
• Dick Clay (1966-1976)^[3]
• Keith Greig (North Melbourne, 1971-1985),^[3] Brownlow Medallist 1973, 1974 and also named on wing in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
• Bryan Wood (Richmond and, 1972-1986)^[3]
• Robbie Flower (Melbourne, 1973-1987)^[3]
• Russell Greene (and, 1974-1988)^[3]
• Michael Turner (1974-1988)^[3]
• Robert DiPierdomenico (Hawthorn, 1975-1991), Brownlow Medallist 1986^[3]
• Doug Hawkins (and, 1978-1995)^[4]
• Dennis Carroll (1981-1991)^[3]
• Darren Millane (Collingwood, 1984-1991)^[5]
• Chris Mainwaring (1987-1999)^[3]
• Nicky Winmar (St. Kilda and, 1987-1999)^[3]
• Peter Matera (West Coast, 1990-2002)^[3] Norm Smith Medallist 1992
• Peter Riccardi (Geelong, 1992-2006)^[6]

Centre

The centre player usually consists of a hard-running midfielder capable of feeding outside running teammates.

Notable centres in Australian football over the years include:

• Tom MacKenzie (West Torrens and, 1901-1913) Magarey Medallist 1902, 1905, 1906
• Jock McHale (1903-1920)^[3]
• Edward "Carji" Greeves (1923-1933),^[7] inaugural winner of the Brownlow Medal in 1924
• Allan Hopkins (1925-1934),^[7] Brownlow Medallist 1930
• Allan La Fontaine (1934-1945)^[7]
• Les Foote (and, 1941-1955)^[7]
• Jack Clarke (Australian footballer, born 1933) (1951-1967)^[7]
• Denis Marshall (and Geelong, 1958-1972)^[7]
• Ian Stewart, (and, 1963-1975),^[7] Brownlow Medallist 1965, 1966, 1971
• Russell Ebert (and North Melbourne, 1968-1985),^[8] Magarey Medallist 1971, 1974, 1976, 1980
• Maurice Rioli (and, 1975-1990),^[9] Norm Smith Medallist 1982
• Tony Shaw (Collingwood, 1977-1994),^[7] Norm Smith Medallist 1990
• Terry Wallace (Richmond and Footscray, 1978-1991)^[7]
• Garry McIntosh (1982-1998),^[10] Magarey Medallist 1994, 1995
• Greg Williams (Geelong, and, 1984-1997),^[7] Brownlow Medallist 1986, 1994
• Paul Couch (Geelong, 1985-1997),^[7] Brownlow Medallist 1989
• Nathan Buckley (Port Adelaide Magpies, and Collingwood, 1991-2007), Magarey Medallist 1992; Norm Smith Medallist 2002; Brownlow Medallist 2003
• Michael Voss
• Mark McVeigh
• Mark Ricciuto
• Ben Cousins
• James Hird
• Shane Crawford
• Scott West
• Jobe Watson
• Chris Judd

Bibliography

• Book: Pascoe, Robert. The winter game : the complete history of Australian football. 1995. The Text Publishing Company. Port Melbourne . 978-0-85561-644-1.

Notes and References

1. Pascoe, 1995, p. 30
2. Web site: Playing Position Wingman. John. Northey. 13 April 2010. Swooper Coach. dead. https://archive.today/20121231061755/http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/2010/playing-position-wingman/. 31 December 2012.
3. Pascoe, 1995, p. 31
4. Web site: Doug Hawkins is Bulldogs' favourite son. Luke. D'Anello. 21 May 2012. Herald Sun.
5. Web site: Darren Millane Trophy – clubman. 7 October 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111209230351/http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/124732/default.aspx. 9 December 2011.
6. Web site: Peter Riccardi at GWSP. Adam. McNicol. 12 August 2012. countryfootyscores.com. dead. https://archive.today/20130119180524/http://www.countryfootyscores.com/adam-mcnicol-mainmenu-92/2317-peter-riccardi-at-gwsp.html. 19 January 2013.
7. Pascoe, 1995, p. 32
8. Web site: The Greatest Team Of All. portadelaidefc.com.au. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120819162040/http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/greatest%20team/tabid/7955/default.aspx. 2012-08-19.
9. Web site: Football legend Maurice Rioli dead from suspected heart attack. 25 December 2010. The Sunday Times. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101228010838/http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/football-legend-maurice-rioli-dead-from-suspected-heart-attack/story-e6frg1wu-1225976163098. 28 December 2010. dmy-all.
10. Web site: Hail Macca the great. 8 August 2012. Michelangelo. Rucci. The Advertiser.