View source for Half-back line

{{Short description|Positions in Australian-rules football}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
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.

{{Afl-field}}

==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.<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28">Pascoe, 1995, p. 28</ref> 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.<ref name=northey>{{cite web|url=http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/2010/playing-position-full-back/|title=Playing Position Centre Half Back|date=24 March 2010|first=John|last=Northey|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231005321/http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/2010/playing-position-full-back/|archive-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> Although their first responsibility is to defend,<ref name=northey/> 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]] ({{AFL Mel}} and {{AFL Haw}}, 1920–1929)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Walter Scott (Australian footballer)|Walter "Wacka" Scott]] ({{SANFL Nor}}, 1920–1932),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norwoodfc.com.au/HISTORY/TEAM_OF_THE_CENTURY.aspx|title=TEAM OF THE CENTURY|publisher=norwoodfc.com.au|access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> Magarey Medallist 1921, 1924, 1930
* [[Albert Collier|Albert "Leeter" Collier]] ({{AFL Col}} and {{AFL Fit}}, 1925–1941),<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29">Pascoe, 1995, p. 29</ref> Brownlow Medallist 1929
* [[Reg Hickey]] ({{AFL Gee}}, 1926–1940)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Denis Cordner]] (Melbourne, 1943–1956)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/> 
* [[Ron Clegg]] ({{AFL SM}}, 1949–1960),<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/> Brownlow medallist 1949
* [[Ian Shelton|Ian "Bluey" Shelton]] ({{AFL Ess}}, 1959–1965)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Peter Knights]] (Hawthorn, 1969–1985)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Bill Picken]] (Collingwood and {{AFL Syd}}, 1974–1986)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Jim Jess]] ({{AFL Ric}}, 1976–1988)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Ross Glendinning]] ({{AFL NM}} and {{AFL WC}}, 1978–1988),<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/> Brownlow medallist 1983
* [[Paul Roos (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Roos]] (Fitzroy and Sydney, 1982–1998)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>
* [[Glen Jakovich]] (West Coast, 1991–2004)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 29"/>

==Half-back flank==
The half-back flank was traditionally a defensive position, where reliability and toughness were more important than attacking flair.<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/> 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.<ref name=coach>{{cite book|url=http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/Coach_AFL/coaching_manual/2012_Youth_Coaching_Manual.pdf|title=AFL Youth Coaching Manual|page=92|chapter=Team Play and Game Plans: Position descriptions|year=2012|publisher=[[Australian Football League]]}}</ref>

Notable half-back flankers over the years in Australian football include:
* [[Alec Epis]] ({{AFL Ess}}, 1958–1968)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Barry Davis (footballer)|Barry Davis]] (Essendon and {{AFL NM}}, 1961–1975)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[John Rantall]] ({{AFL SM}}, North Melbourne and {{AFL Fit}}, 1963–1980)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Ian Bremner]] ({{AFL Col}} and {{AFL Haw}}, 1966–1976)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Bruce Doull]] ({{AFL Car}}, 1969–1986),<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/> Norm Smith Medallist 1981; Named Half-back flank in AFL Team of the Century (1996)
* [[Stephen Wallis]] ({{AFL Foo}}, 1983–1996)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Ken Hinkley]] ({{AFL Fit}} and {{AFL Gee}}, 1987–1995)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Guy McKenna]] ({{AFL WC}}, 1988–2000)<ref name="Pascoe, 1995, p. 28"/>
* [[Andrew McKay (Australian footballer)|Andrew McKay]]
* [[Rohan Smith]]
* [[Andrew McLeod]]
* [[Nigel Smart]]
* [[Luke Hodge]]
* [[Brendon Goddard]]
* [[Corey Enright]]
* [[Shannon Hurn]]
* [[Beau Waters]]
* [[Adam Saad]]
* [[Bachar Houli]]
* [[Christian Salem]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|title=The winter game : the complete history of Australian football|first=Robert|last=Pascoe|year=1995|publisher=The Text Publishing Company|location=Port Melbourne|isbn=0-85561-644-X}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Half-Back Line}}
[[Category:Australian rules football terminology]]