Players and Positions

A team consists of 18 players; three interchange players (substitutes) are allowed on the bench. Free
substitutions are allowed at any time during the match, through a "gate" in front of either bench.
Players are deployed in five lines of three across the oval, with the remaining three assigned to the ball.
The players in each line are usually designated as being in either the left, center or right position in
each line, relative to the direction of attack:
Full Forwards: Left Forward Pocket Full Forward Right Forward Pocket
Half Forwards: Left Half Forward Center Half Forward Right Half Forward
Center Line: Left Wing, Center, Right Wing
Half Backs: Left Half Back, Center Half Back, Right Half Back
Full Backs: Left Back Pocket, Full Back, Right Back Pocket
The three assigned to the ball are referred to as "followers." Their positions are referred to as Ruckman,
Rover and Ruck-Rover.
Although the players have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground when
play is in progress. There is no "goalie" in Aussie Rules.
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