The South-west's starting 22: Following the action

Whatever you want to call them their multifaceted job remains the same - win the ball first for their team, create opportunities for goal for themselves or teammates, help defend the opposition and provide themselves as targets for kicks or handballs around the ground.

This line consists of a ruck, ruck-rover and rover and they are some of the main ingredients in a barnstorming midfield brigade.

The ruck's main job is to get the first touch for the midfielders around him. They are usually the biggest players in the team and some of the strongest.

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They are not usually blessed with speed and are not high accumulators of possessions but they are used as an important marking target around the ground.

However, in recent times ruckmen have become faster and more skilled, so they can play as an extra midfielder in between ruck contests.

They usually need to have high aerobic capacities to cover the ground required of them in the modern game. A handy bonus is goal-kicking ability for when they rest forward.

The ruck-rover is usually the player the ruckman is targeting with their tap outs and are often the middle part of a chain in getting a clearance.

They are usually good by hand and play more inside roles but can just as easily become outside players if the tap doesn't go their way.

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The rover is usually the outside player in the midfield group, which also includes the centre. They are good by hand and have above average or elite kicking skills.

They are still a target for a ruck tap and they are often found charging out or through packs or stoppages.

Both the ruck-rover and rover are strong midfielders who are required to apply pressure when they don't win the ball and are often leaders within their sides.

For this side the followers have a combined 473 games at the elite level, won four premierships, three best and fairests, scored 212 goals, two All-Australian blazers, two Rising Star nominations, three 22-under-22 team selections, features two former vice-captains and accumulated 132 Brownlow votes.

This trio fit perfectly into each role in the followers line.

AFL club: Fremantle 2017-present

South-west connection: Cobden

Height: 201cm

Games: 27 - seven wins, 20 losses

Achievements: one 22-under-22 team selection, seven goals

Another player in this team who is still in the early stages of their career but has shown the capability of becoming a star.

Darcy now has the number one ruck role at Fremantle and if he can stay injury free he will have a promising future in the side after serving his apprenticeship under AFL giant Aaron Sandilands.

Due to his physical size and playing style he has often been compared to former current Greater Western Sydney and former Geelong and Sydney ruck Shane Mumford.

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Darcy's main statistical bonus is his average hit outs of 30. His 10 possessions a game is serviceable while he clunks at least one mark a game.

A bonus high average for the big Docker is his three tackles a game, which shows he is putting pressure on the opposition midfielders and helping out his on-ball teammates. He also has two one per centers a game.

There is still lots of time for these averages to rise in the next few years.

AFL club: Essendon 2013-present

South-west connection: Cobden

Height: 180cm

Games: 127 - three finals, 56 wins, 70 losses, one draw

Achievements: two best and fairests, one All-Australian, three 22-under-22 team selection, Bombers vice-captain 2017-19, 44 goals, 2014 Rising Star nominee, 61 Brownlow votes

In his seven seasons at the Bombers Zach Merrett has evolved into one of the best midfielders at the club, in the competition and in this side.

The Cobden export has a growing achievement list and is a proven leader at Tullamarine.

He is a balanced midfielder who enjoys the inside of the packs just as much as he likes getting on the outside and using his feet to great effect.

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Merrett has also grown into an accumulator of the ball but ensures every possession turns into something useful for his side.

He averages 25 disposals - 13 via kicks and 12 by hand - a game. He makes five tackles, creates four inside 50s and collects three clearances a match showing his ability to play inside and outside.

Inside 50 he is also effective scoring 44 goals at 53.65 per cent accuracy.

AFL clubs: Hawthorn 2005-16, Melbourne 17-19

South-west connection: Warrnambool

Height: 186cm

Games: 319 - 26 finals, 200 wins, 118 losses, one draw

Achievements: 2008, 2013-15 premiership player, one All-Australian blazer, one best and fairest, 161 goals, 2005 Rising Star nominee, former Hawks vice-captain, 71 Brownlow votes

Lewis will be remembered as one of the finest, toughest and self-sacrificing players of his generation and that is why he slots into the final spot in this midfield.

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Over 300 games, four premierships, one best and fairest in a flag season, one All-Australian blazer and 71 Brownlow votes would back up the claim he has been one of the best in this century.

He averaged 23 disposals a game and hardly ever wasted them. He balanced his time between inside and outside and possessed quick hands and an accurate kick making him a dangerous midfielder.

Lewis ensured his team was always moving forward, averaging three inside 50s and clearances a match. He also put the squeeze on the opposition, laying two tackles and applying two one per centers a game.

He was also good in front of goal slotting 161 goals at 64.14 per cent accuracy.

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