In Australian rules football, the followers are the players in the three positions- ruckman, ruck rover, and rover. These three players are known as followers because they have traditionally been used as players that follow the ball all around the ground, as opposed to playing in a set position. In recent years, there has been a decreased emphasis on set positions in Australian football. Followers still cover more ground than any other player on the field. 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 (, and , 1953-1971), Sandover Medallist 1956, 1957, 1960; Named first ruck in AFL Team of the Century (1996) John Nicholls (, 1957-1974), Named back pocket in AFL Team of the Century (1996) Jack Dyer Roy Wright Brownlow Medallist 1952, 1954 Carl Ditterich ( and , 1963-1980) John "Sam" Newman (Geelong, 1964-1980) Gary Dempsey ( and , 1967-1984), Brownlow Medallist 1975 Don Scott (, 1967-1981) Graham Moss ( and , 1968-1983), Brownlow Medallist 1976 Barry Round (Footscray and , 1969-1986), Brownlow Medallist 1981 Rick Davies (, Hawthorn and , 1970-1986) Simon Madden (, 1974-1992), Norm Smith Medallist 1985 Peter Moore ( and Melbourne, 1974-1987), Brownlow Medallist 1979, 1984 Justin Madden (Essendon and , 1980-1996) Paul Salmon Jim Stynes (Melbourne, 1987-1998), Brownlow Medallist 1991 Scott Wynd (, 1988-2000), Brownlow Medallist 1992 Peter Everitt Dean Cox Shaun Rehn (, and Hawthorn, 1990-2002) Matthew Primus Jeff White Corey McKernan Aaron Sandilands Todd Goldstein Max Gawn 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