Football as we know it is almost unrecognisable from the game some of the greats played in the golden era of the 1960s, 1970s and 1908s. We take a look at the people, teams and tactics that have helped shape the 21st century version of AFL football.
Peter Daicos
Invented the dribble kick from all angles – to the frustration of some, including former Hawk Jason Dunstall. The Collingwood champion was a Saturday night news highlight reel throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, with his unique skill set that in today’s game has become standard fare.
Steve Johnson
Transformed the snap from an on-the-run act to a set-shot staple for many players when shooting for goal from close range. The arc players take is known as the ‘J curve’ and will forever be linked back to the triple premiership winning Cat. Ironically, his childhood hero was Peter Daicos.
Anthony Koutoufides
Transformed recruiting in the late 1990s and early 2000s given suddenly every club went searching for the 195cm athlete who could be coached to play football. Many failed in their search. Ironically, the wheel has turned full circle with clubs now seemingly set on selecting the player with football smarts first.
Matthew Scarlett/Dustin Fletcher
Fletcher and Scarlett transformed the role of a full back. When once viewed as solely a stopping role, the pair set about making it an attacking position whereby they would look to not only run off opponents, but play the ball to win it and help set up teammates further afield. The former Cat’s most famous play came in the 2009 Grand Final when his toe-poke from the middle of the MCG helped set up Paul Chapman’s game-winning goal. Since the star duo has retired Richmond star Alex Rance has taken the baton.
Matthew Primus
Forced law makers to change ruck rules given Primus’s sheer size allowed him to take the ball clean out of the ruck and force stoppage after stoppage. As a time wasting mechanism it had no peer. It also made for ugly football which the AFL moved swiftly to eliminate.
Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership
Ended the capacity to rush deliberate behinds. The Hawks used it brilliantly to stifle the Cats and deny them the ball in the 2008 upset Grand Final victory. Eleven of the Cats 23 behinds were rushed. A year later the rule was changed that allowed umpires to award free kicks against players they deemed deliberately conceded a point when not under pressure.
Nick Riewoldt
Ensured the role of a key forward went from a goalkicking inside-50 player to an aerobic beast required to link defence and attack, while still having the engine to get back and influence the scoreboard. While few have emulated Riewoldt's workrate, at least trying has become part and parcel of modern forward play.
Alastair Clarkson
Shifted the art of defence from a purely individual negating pursuit to an all-in team offensive tactic. The variations on “Clarko’s cluster” have been many but pressing up on opponents, limiting space and forcing turnovers has become arguably the single most important measure in the modern game.