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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

References

Bibliography

• 
  Pascoe, Robert (1995). The winter game : the complete history of Australian football. Port Melbourne: The Text Publishing Company. ISBN 0 85561 644 X.