Positions in Australian Rules Football (AFL)

AFL fields 18 per side + 4 interchange. No fixed formations, but traditional roles:

Key Positions

• Ruck (R): Tall, athletic; contests centre bounces, stoppages. Directs tap to midfielders.
• Centre Half-Forward (CHF) / Full Forward (FF): Key targets inside 50m. Mark high, score goals. (CHF links up; FF deepest).
• Centre Half-Back (CHB) / Full Back (FB): Key defenders. Spoil marks, intercept, rebound. (CHB more mobile; FB last line).
• Wing (W) / Half-Forward (HF) / Half-Back (HB): Outside runners. Wing: high endurance, link defence→attack. HF/HB: two-way players on flanks.
• Midfielders (C, Rov, RR): Centre (C), Rover (Rov), Ruck-Rover (RR). Win clearances, distribute, tackle, score. Elite runners/decision-makers.
• Defenders (Small/General): Lockdown small forwards, rebound, create overlap.

Modern Evolution

• Interchange: 4 rotations → players spend ~70% on bench; high-intensity bursts.
• Hybrid roles: "Mid-forward," "mid-defender," "swingman" (tall, plays both ends).
• Zone/press structures: Team defence > man-to-man.

Best players master multiple roles. Coaches value versatility, pressure acts, and decision-making over static positioning.