Centre half-forward
Encyclopedia
In Australian rules football
, the centre half-forward is a position on the half-forward line
of a football field. The directly opposing player is a Centre-Half-Back.
The centre half-forward's role is usually the most demanding of any player on field, with a tall frame, strength and most importantly, athleticism, required. Usually the best backman will be used to cover a quality CHF, unless the opposing Full-Forward is so good they take priority. Thus an attacking team with a pair of good CHF and FF will seriously stretch a defence.
If a team in the AFL played without a good centre half forward then they would often struggle to win games and make an impact on the competition. Great Centre half forwards have the ability to turn games on their heads and potentially win a match single handedly for their team.
A primary skill needed is good marking ability, and long-range goal kicking. CHFs frequently line up shots on goal from circa 50m out, often as wide as the boundary. Kicking at goal on-the-run while running into the 50 is a significant skill, as well as being able to pick out markers closer to goals in the square.
The position is very strenuous, and players known as CHF often have unnaturally shortened careers - Brereton is a good example of a great player worn out too quickly. In the modern game, coaches preserve these players, playing them in a variety of relief positions, often in the opposite position at Centre-Half-Back. This preserves their longevity. A good example is James Hird, who played mostly HB towards the end of his career.
Widely regarded as the three best centre half-forwards ever to play the game were Wayne Carey
, Dermott Brereton
and Royce Hart
. Wayne Carey's career was also significant for his battle with Glen Jakovich
, one of the modern game's greatest individual rivalries. Current notable centre half-forwards include Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt
, Warren Tredrea
, Jarryd Roughead
, Cameron Mooney
and Matthew Pavlich
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
, the centre half-forward is a position on the half-forward line
Half-forward line
In the sport of Australian rules football, the half-forward line refers to a position on the field of play.3 players are positioned in the half-forward line, a left and right half-forward flank player, as well as a centre half-forward....
of a football field. The directly opposing player is a Centre-Half-Back.
The centre half-forward's role is usually the most demanding of any player on field, with a tall frame, strength and most importantly, athleticism, required. Usually the best backman will be used to cover a quality CHF, unless the opposing Full-Forward is so good they take priority. Thus an attacking team with a pair of good CHF and FF will seriously stretch a defence.
If a team in the AFL played without a good centre half forward then they would often struggle to win games and make an impact on the competition. Great Centre half forwards have the ability to turn games on their heads and potentially win a match single handedly for their team.
A primary skill needed is good marking ability, and long-range goal kicking. CHFs frequently line up shots on goal from circa 50m out, often as wide as the boundary. Kicking at goal on-the-run while running into the 50 is a significant skill, as well as being able to pick out markers closer to goals in the square.
The position is very strenuous, and players known as CHF often have unnaturally shortened careers - Brereton is a good example of a great player worn out too quickly. In the modern game, coaches preserve these players, playing them in a variety of relief positions, often in the opposite position at Centre-Half-Back. This preserves their longevity. A good example is James Hird, who played mostly HB towards the end of his career.
Widely regarded as the three best centre half-forwards ever to play the game were Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the North Melbourne and Adelaide Football Clubs in the Australian Football League ....
, Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
and Royce Hart
Royce Hart
Royce Desmond Hart is a former Australian rules football player and coach who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1967 and 1977, and coached Footscray between 1980 and 1982.Hart was a supremely gifted, determined player who was acknowledged by all in his...
. Wayne Carey's career was also significant for his battle with Glen Jakovich
Glen Jakovich
Glen Jakovich is a former Australian rules footballer for the West Coast Eagles.Glen was recruited from South Fremantle in Western Australia and debuted in 1991 and played most of his career at the Centre Half Back position, in the number 27 gernsey...
, one of the modern game's greatest individual rivalries. Current notable centre half-forwards include Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt
Nick Riewoldt
Nick Riewoldt is an Australian rules footballer who is the current captain of the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League . He was the first draft selection in the 2000 AFL Draft.-Early life:...
, Warren Tredrea
Warren Tredrea
Warren Gary Tredrea is retired Australian rules footballer with the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League . A forward, tall and weighing , Tredrea is the son of former Collingwood and Port Adelaide player Gary Tredrea.Tredrea was zone selected for the inaugural Port...
, Jarryd Roughead
Jarryd Roughead
Jarryd Roughead is an Australian rules footballer playing for Hawthorn in the Australian Football League .-Early life:Born in Leongatha in southern Gippsland, Roughead played Gippsland Power...
, Cameron Mooney
Cameron Mooney
Cameron Mooney was an Australian rules footballer who played with the North Melbourne and Geelong Football Clubs in the Australian Football League...
and Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
.