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Dictionary ...

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A dictionary of Aussie Rules terms

A
All-Australian Team selected at the end of the each season, made up of the 18 best players (by position) for the year, 4 interchange players and the Coach of the year. Considered a tribute to some of the better players for that year. Unlike the Brownlow, players that have been reported and found guilty are still eligible to be included in the team. Been selected since 1991.
  
  
B
Banana kick (aka checkside punt) For a right-footed player, a banana kick is one that is kicked on the right hand side of the right foot and curves to the right. Obviously, for a left-footed player, the reverse is true.
  
Behind One point (eg 3 behinds is 3 points)
  
Brownlow Medal Awarded each season to the "Fairest and Best" player in the Australian Football League. Can be considered as the highest individual honour in the game. Began in 1924. Votes toward the Brownlow are awarded from the umpires each week. Players who have been suspended are ineligible to win the award.
  
C
Checkside Punt see "Banana Kick"
  
Coleman Medal Awarded to the player who kicks the most goals each season. Began in 1981.
  
Crumber Player whose purpose is to get into the middle of the packs and force the ball out.
  
D
Dipper "Dipper" is the nickname of Robert DiPierdomenico. "Dipper" played for Hawthorn between 1978 and 1991 and won a Brownlow Medal in 1987.
Disposal To get rid of the ball in a way that is legal (ie kicking the ball or handballing the ball not throwing the ball etc)
  
Drop Punt Most used kick? This kick is done by holding the ball up and down (eg |)
  
F
Fifty, the The 50 metre line out from the goals at each end of the ground. A picture can be seen on my "What is Aussie Rules?" page
  
G
Guernsey The jersey worn by the player.
  
H
Handball Where the ball is held in the palm of one hand and struck on the end with the thumb side of a clenched fist to propel the ball. At no time is the ball allowed to be "thrown"
Handpass Refer "handball"
  
L
Locks it up Stops the ball from advancing into the opposition's area (usually achieved by jumping on top of the ball)
  
M
Margarey Medal Awarded to the "Fairest and Best" player in the SANFL each season
  
Mark To 'catch' the ball. To qualify as a mark, the player must be in control of the ball and it can't have been touched by another player nor bounced before reaching the player.
  
N
Norm Smith Medal The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the player voted best on ground during that season's Grand Final. The Medal was first instituted in 1979.
  
Norwich Rising Star award see "Rising Star award"
  
O
On the ball Player is not in a specific position, but is following the play (and therefore the ball) around the oval.
  
On the mark The mark is the point at which the free was awarded (ie where the infringement occurred or where the mark (catch) was taken.
  
P
"Pulls it back" To put a spin on the football to make it turn (ie not travel in a directly straight line). Useful when kicking for goal from an extreme angle or into a wind
  
R
Rising Star award The AFL website states "The AFL Rising Star Award was instituted in 1993 to recognise and encourage talented young players in the AFL". A player is selected each round. These are then voted upon to determine the award winner. This award has been previously known as the "Norwich Rising Star award" and the "Ansett Rising Star award". The nominations (and winner) must:
  • be under the age of 21 at January 1 of that year;
  • not have played more than 10 games to the start of that season;
  • not have been suspended by the AFL or State League tribunals during the season.
  
Rookie Any player who has less than senior AFL 20? games under his belt
  
S
Sandover Medal Awarded to the "Fairest and Best" player in the WESTAR league each season.
  
SANFL South Australian National Football League. State League for South Australia.
  
Screamer High flying mark. Check out my "Photos ... and multimedia" page to see pictures.
  
Showdown Match between clubs from the same city (excludes Melbourne clubs). That is, when Fremantle and West Coast play, or Port Adelaide and Adelaide play. Usually a more important game than the other "minor round" games. At least for the supporters.
  
Smother To jump in front of the player with the ball just before (or as) he kicks it, so that the ball is not forwarded.
  
Speccie 'Spectacular' mark (usually involves jumping as high as possible over your opponent).
  
T
Teal Cup A football carnival held yearly with a representative team from each state selected from teenage footballers in the local leagues. Is meant to be a showcase of the young talent available, and is often used as a "scouting ground" by AFL recruiting staff.
  
Term Quarter (eg first term means first quarter)
  
Torpedo kick Ball is held horizontally (ie -) and kicked across the instep of the foot.
  
W
WAFL has been known as WESTAR. State League for Western Australia.
  
WESTAR Rules Refer WAFL
  
White line fever Used to describe when someone's personality changes when they cross the "white line" of the football ground. For example, when a normally shy and reserved man off the ground walks onto the oval and becomes a loud and assertive, aggressive person.


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