A punter (P) in American or Canadian football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts (kicks) the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a third down in the Canadian version. Punters may also occasionally take part in fake punts in those same situations, when they throw or run the football instead of punting.

Skills

A punter must be skilled in angling the football and/or kicking it as high as possible (called "hangtime") to maximize his teammates’ ability to eliminate a punt returner's forward progress. Also, the punter will try to make the ball spin in an unusual manner making it harder to catch, which could result in a muff and potentially lead to the punter's team gaining possession.

Punters are rarely well known or recognized by fans, but play a major role in winning the field position battle. Today, punters have increasingly begun to pull double duty as the holder on field goal attempts and also being used on kickoffs. One of the main reasons why punters are starting to take over the holder position is that the backup quarterback is usually busy with the rest of the offense and has little time to devote to holding. The long snapper for field goals is usually the punt snapper as well, so the punter already has developed a chemistry with the snapper and is used to catching a long-snapped ball.

Punters are also kickers and understand kicking mechanics better, such as knowing how far back to lean the ball and better judging whether to abort a field goal attempt. Punters are usually on their own during team practices, allowing them the time to work with the kicker, so the punter and placekicker tend to develop a close rapport. Many punters also double duty as kickoff specialists as most punters have been at one point field goal kickers as well and some, such as Craig Hentrich, have filled in as worthy backup field goal kickers.

Coffin corner

A coffin corner refers to the corner of the playing field just in front of the end zone, usually from the 5-yard line to the goal line. A perfect coffin corner kick is one that goes out of bounds just before either orange pylon located in the front of the end zone. The punter tries to place the ball so that it lands out of bounds or is downed on the field by another member of the kicking team anywhere inside the 5-yard line without touching the goal line, thus forcing difficult field position for the receiving team on their next scrimmage.

The name arises by extension from the coffin corner found in Victorian houses, for if the kick is slightly too far into the end zone or if a member of the kicking team touches the goal line while maintaining possession of the ball, a touchback is awarded, losing the advantage that comes with a successful execution of the kick. If the ball goes out of bounds too far upfield, the receiving team will usually have more options on offense, such as being able to drop back for a pass without fear of possibly giving up a safety. More often than not, a kicker's attempt to land the ball accurately within the coffin corner fails, as the amount of skill required to angle a kick inside such a small area is extraordinary.

This type of kick can also be attempted in Canadian football. The difference is that if the ball becomes dead in the endzone in Canadian football, a single point is awarded to the kicking team and the conceding team scrimmages from their 35 yard line. In most cases however, the kicking team prefers the advantageous field position, not the point.

Career lengths

Although most punters have relatively short playing careers some can have exceptionally long careers, compared to other NFL position players (there is a similar phenomenon with kickers). One reason for this is that their limited time on the field and heavy protection by penalties against defensive players for late hits makes them far less likely to be injured than other positions. Sean Landeta, for instance, played 19 NFL seasons and three USFL seasons for eight different teams. Jeff Feagles of the New York Giants played 22 seasons as a punter.

Lately, teams have been turning to retired Australian rules football players to punt for them, as the proper way to score in the sport is by punting the ball through the goal posts. Darren Bennett, who played for the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings in his career, was one of the first successful AFL players to make the jump to America. Ben Graham, who entered the league with the New York Jets, became the first AFL player to play in a Super Bowl when he played in Super Bowl XLIII with his current team, the Arizona Cardinals. Graham, Mat McBriar of the Dallas Cowboys, and Sav Rocca of the Philadelphia Eagles are currently the only (as of Week 3 of the 2010 season) Australians on NFL rosters as punters.

Career yards

Bob Cameron of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), in a 23-year career, has the most career punting yards, with 134,301 yards.

Jeff Feagles has the professional all time career punting yards with 71,211 yards. He played from 1988-2009 for five different teams in the NFL.

Draft status

Former Oakland Raiders player Ray Guy is the only pure punter to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft. Russell Erxleben was selected as the 11th pick in the first round of the 1979 draft by the New Orleans Saints as a punter but also performed kicking duties as well. Guy is credited with raising the status of punters in the NFL because he proved to be a major ingredient in the Raiders' success during the 1970s by preventing opponents from gaining field position advantage.

Notes

External links

Example of a coffin corner punt

Category:American football plays Category:American football positions Category:American football punters Category:American football terminology

da:Punter de:Punter es:Punter (fútbol americano) fr:Punter (football américain) it:Punter hu:Punter nl:Punter (American football) pl:Punter pt:Punter simple:Punter fi:Lentopotkun potkaisija

Name	Nathan Buckley
Fullname	Nathan Charles Buckley
Nickname	Bucks
Birth date	July 26, 1972
Birth place	Adelaide, Australia
Originalteam	Port Adelaide Magpies (SANFL)
Draftpick	State Zoning
Height	186 cm
Weight	91 kg
Position	Midfielder
Club1
Year1start	1993
Appearances1	20
Goals1	21
Behinds1	26
Club2
Year2start	1994
Year2end	2007
Appearances2	260
Goals2	263
Behinds2	236 }}

Nathan Charles Buckley (born 26 July 1972) is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

He is listed by journalist Mike Sheahan as one of the top 50 players of all time. Buckley won the inaugural Rising Star Award, then went on to become one of the game's elite. He won the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2003 and was selected in the All-Australian Team team a total of seven times. He also captained the Australian international rules football team against Ireland.

In 2004 Buckley became an original inductee into the Collingwood hall of fame, captaining the club between 1999 and 2007, six time club best and fairest and named in the Collingwood Team of the Century. He retired at the conclusion of the 2007 AFL season and became a commentator for the Seven Network.

After months of speculation, the Collingwood Football Club signed Buckley as an assistant coach for seasons 2010 and 2011 and as senior coach in 2012 for three years.

Playing career

Early career

Nathan Buckley was born in suburban Adelaide, South Australia on 26 July 1972. His family travelled around Australia quite frequently, and by the age of 12, Buckley had been to all major states on the Australian mainland. He grew up supporting Melbourne. However, he spent the majority of his football developing years (aged around 10–17) in the Northern Territory, and thus has occasionally been regarded as a Territorian (he also played at the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra for a season). Under the (now defunct) State of Origin competition he was considered of North Territory origin and selected for The Allies team, an amalgamation of players from Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

Buckley's footballing talents were noticed from an early age. He joined Port Adelaide where, in 1992, he won his only senior premiership as well as the Magarey Medal (the SANFL's league best and fairest), the Jack Oatey Medal (best on ground in the SANFL Grand Final), and his club best and fairest.

Brisbane Bears

In early 1992 the struggling Brisbane Bears drafted him for the 1992 AFL season through its Northern Territory state zone. Buckley challenged the AFL draft system and sparked controversy by initially resisting a move to Brisbane. His dreams were to play in Melbourne due to its culture in the sport, therefore felt the Bears were an undesirable career option. However AFL draft rules prevented him from playing with another AFL club and so remained in the SANFL.

He signed with the Bears for the 1993 season only as part of a deal between Buckley and the Bears that allowed him to go to the club of his choice the following season. Brisbane hoped his time in "the Sunshine State" would be long enough to change his mind. He immediately demonstrated his potential, playing 20 games, kicking 21 goals and impressing with his general play. He was the inaugural winner of the Norwich Rising Star Award and finished a close second in the Bears' best-and-fairest award.

Collingwood

During his first season Buckley's arrangement with the Bears became common knowledge. At the end of the contract he attracted strong interest from all Melbourne-based clubs, chiefly Collingwood, Geelong and North Melbourne. However, it was Collingwood that successfully arranged a trade deal acceptable to all parties. Unbeknown to other AFL clubs and to the AFL itself, Collingwood and Brisbane had already agreed to make the trade happen. Collingwood selected ten players on its list who were "untouchable", and the Bears could take any two players outside this list, as well as the Magpies' first round draft pick, in exchange for Buckley. The move saw Buckley move to the Magpies in exchange for Craig Starcevich, Troy Lehmann and the Magpies' first-round draft pick (no. 12, future double-premiership player Chris Scott).

Buckley was adamant that the move was the right career direction, with the belief he had more chance of winning a premiership with the Magpies. Ironically, Brisbane would beat Collingwood in two consecutive AFL Grand Finals in 2002 and 2003. In his first season with Collingwood, the Magpies were eliminated by the West Coast Eagles by two points in Perth.

From here, Buckley would be a consistent performer for Collingwood. As well as winning a Brownlow Medal in 2003, he finished in the top three twice before the turn of the century. He was also named Collingwood's Best and Fairest six times in 10 years (including one tied), as well as six consecutive years in the All-Australian Team from 1996 to 2002.

In 1999, Buckley suffered a broken jaw playing against Carlton in Round 2. He returned in Round 8 to help Collingwood to their first win of the season and their first in 13 matches. Collingwood finished the season last, only the second time in their history (the other being in 1976). Buckley also competed in the last game at Victoria Park.

Collingwood captain

In 1999, coach Tony Shaw made Buckley the Collingwood captain, replacing the still-active Gavin Brown who was to mentor Buckley in the role until retirement. Throughout the late 1990s/early 2000s Collingwood had several major changes in personnel. Eddie McGuire became president of club in 1998 and Mick Malthouse was appointed coach in 2000. Collingwood finishing 15th in 2000 and ninth in 2001, with Buckley starring in both seasons. In Round 2, 2001, Buckley set a record by amassing 46 disposals, the highest total since quarters were shortened to twenty minutes in 1994 AFL season, this remained the record until Round 10 2009, when surpassed by Dane Swan (48 disposals).

In 2002 Collingwood made the AFL Grand Final for the first time during Buckley's tenure at the club. On Grand Final day at the MCG, Buckley starred in a losing team, winning the Norm Smith Medal; he was the first Norm Smith Medallist from a losing team since Gary Ablett in 1989. Famously, Buckley removed the Norm Smith Medal from around his neck while still descending the dais, symbolic of his disappointment and dedication to the team.

In 2003, Buckley received his highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal in a three-way tie with fellow South Australian born players Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide) and Adam Goodes (Sydney). The following Saturday Buckley played in his second losing Grand Final. Brisbane demolished Collingwood from start to finish, although Buckley still managed to gain 24 disposals.

After perhaps the best season of his stellar career in 2003, the Magpie skipper endured a 2004 and 2005 season he would rather forget. He started the season in usual domineering fashion in the opening three rounds, but missed seven of the next eight matches with hamstring problems. When he returned, he appeared to play under duress, spending more time across half-forward or half-back. Buckley was honoured with life membership of the Collingwood Football Club in 2004.

During the 2006 season, Buckley was awarded AFL Life Membership after playing his 300th official match since his debut in 1992, comprising 267 premiership games, 24 preseason games, four state of origin games and four international rules games.

Buckley was rested twice during the season, once for the match against West Coast at Subiaco in Round 7, and again in the Round 21 clash against Carlton. At the end of the 2006 season Buckley indicated the possibility of him standing down as captain of the club, saying that James Clement might be a likely choice for the position. Clement later said he did not wish to become captain. Collingwood President Eddie McGuire played down any rumours of Buckley standing aside.

Following serious hamstring problems, Buckley played his first game of 2007 playing for the Williamstown Seagulls in the VFL on 18 August 2007. He was judged best on ground, gathering 29 possessions and kicking four goals.

He returned to the Collingwood side the following week and played in the club's two remaining home-and-away games and all three finals, including its 18 point semi-final win against West Coast in extra time, and its five point loss against Geelong in the preliminary final where he was sitting on the bench in disappointment when the final siren sounded. Three weeks later, on 5 October 2007, Buckley announced his retirement.

Notable matches

Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 15, 1997, at Victoria Park: In his 100th senior match, Buckley had 43 possessions, many of which were goal assists to full forward Sav Rocca. The effort helped to break the club's seven match losing streak. A 10-goal final term ensuring a 100 point victory on the Magpies home ground, Victoria Park.

Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 8, 1999, at the MCG Collingwood had not won a match all season. Buckley was sidelined between rounds three and seven due to a broken jaw, suffered in a clash with Carlton's Justin Murphy in round two. Upon return, Buckley dominated against the Dockers with three goals and 26 disposals. He was awarded three Brownlow votes. The match was also notable for the debut of Tarkyn Lockyer

Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 2, 2000, at the MCG It was Collingwood's second premiership season match under new coach Mick Malthouse. Scores were close all match in a tight contest. Buckley was awarded three Brownlow votes after gathering 31-disposals and three goals. Paul Williams and Sav Rocca scored five goals each. Collingwood won by eleven points.

Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 2, 2001, at Colonial Stadium Buckley collected a career high 46 possessions and scored two goals Collingwood beat the Dockers by 17 points at Colonial Stadium, Collingwood's first victory of the season. Buckley's 46 possessions was a record since 1994 when quarters were shortened to twenty minutes. Gary Ablett jnr. (Geelong) equalled this on 18 April 2009 vs Adeliade on round 4. The record was beaten by Dane Swan (Collingwood) on 31 May 2009 vs Port Adelaide on round 10 with 48 touches.

Football Park">Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 13, 2001, at Football Park Buckley scored two goals and had 37 possessions. His effort helped Collingwood beat the Crows by two points. This was the first of five straight wins against Adelaide.

Collingwood vs Brisbane, Grand Final 2002, at the MCG The 2002 Grand Final will go down as perhaps Nathan Buckley's finest performance in the Collingwood jumper. Buckley had 32 disposals, and kicked a goal in the third quarter, from the boundary line, to give his side the lead. Buckley was adjudged the Norm Smith Medallist of 2002.

Collingwood vs Essendon, Round 5 2003, at the MCG Collingwood lost the match by 66 points but Buckley was awarded two Bronlow Medal votes, winning 37 possessions, laying four tackles, and scoring long range goal in the second term.

Rounds 13–17 2003 In the mid-season encounters with the Western Bulldogs, the Kangaroos, Fremantle, Richmond and Carlton, Buckley hit the longest and strongest purple patch of his illustrious career. With Collingwood faltering in the middle of the ladder, with six wins and six losses after the halfway mark of the season, Buckley kicked up a gear, taking his team with him. Winning 10 Brownlow votes over the five-week stretch, Buckley's brilliance was on display for all to see, setting up a number of attacks on-ball, ably supported by the excellent form of Scott Burns, Paul Licuria and Shane Woewodin.

Collingwood vs Brisbane, Round 10 2006 With his hamstrings failing him, Buckley was positioned in attack in the latter stages of 2005, and by the midway point of 2006 played most of his football forward, with the ability to still play short bursts in the midfield. Buckley's career-best six goals (and 29-possessions) arguably won the match for the Magpies; their first win over Brisbane since the 2003 Qualifying Final.

Coaching career

After months of speculation, Buckley signed a 5 year deal with the Collingwood Football Club. He will be the assistant coach for the seasons of 2010 and 2011; he will then become head coach, taking over Mick Malthouse, in 2012 for three years.

Personal life

Buckley was involved in the AFL "Laws of the Game" or Rules Committee until he controversially resigned.

On New Year's Eve 2002 Buckley married Tania Minnici who is known for wearing revealing gowns to the Brownlow Medal. The couple have two sons; Jett Charles, who was born on 22 December 2006 and Ayce Dominic, who was born on 21 September 2008.

Buckley now lives in a $4m house in Toorak with his wife, children and black pug, Big.

Buckley has also moved into harness racing and is the owner of the Group One winner Hurricane Jett, a pacer named after his oldest son and trained by highly successful trainer and Collingwood supporter Jayne Davies.

On 24 September 2008, Nathan Buckley's autobiography, ''All I Can Be'', was published in Australia by Penguin Group (Australia).

Media

Buckley has made several appearances on the AFL Footy Show as a panelist.

He was the central character in an advertising campaign by wireless broadband provider Unwired.

Buckley signed as a commentator with the Seven Network for the 2008 AFL season, and continued commentating in 2009.

He made an appearance as a celebrity racer at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, in which he came second overall.

Accomplishments

Brownlow Medal

Winner – 2003 (3 way tie)

2nd – 1997

3rd – 1999 (equal)

5th – 1996 (equal), 2000 (equal)

Australian Football League

Norm Smith Medal 2002

Rising Star Award 1993

Collingwood Football Club

Best & Fairest 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003

RT Rush Trophy 1997

JJ Joyce Trophy 2001

Collingwood Team Of The Century

Club captain 1999–2007

Brisbane Bears Football Club

2nd Best and Fairest 1993

Representative Honours

All-Australian Team 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003

All-Australian Team vice-captain 1999, 2000, 2003

International Rules Series 1999 (captain)

Alex Jesaulenko Medal 1997

Allies captain 1997

South Australian National Football League

Magarey Medal 1992

Jack Oatey Medal (Grand Final B.O.G.) 1992

Port Adelaide Football Club Best & Fairest 1992

Premierships

SANFL 1992 (Port Adelaide Football Club)

References

External links

All I Can Be – site for Nathan Buckley's autobiography

}} }}

{{navboxes | title = Nathan Buckley in All-Australian teams | list1 = }}

Category:1972 births Category:All-Australians Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia Category:Australian rules footballers from the Northern Territory Category:Brisbane Bears players Category:Brownlow Medal winners Category:Collingwood Football Club players Category:Copeland Trophy winners Category:Living people Category:Norm Smith Medal winners Category:Port Adelaide Magpies players Category:Rising Star Award winners Category:Magarey Medal winners Category:Allies State of Origin players Category:Southern Districts Football Club players Category:Ainslie Football Club players

name	Dustin Fletcher
birth date	May 07, 1975
heightweight	198cm / 92kg
originalteam	Essendon Grammar / Western Jets
debutdate	Round 2, 3 April 1993
debutteam	Essendon
debutopponent	Carlton
debutstadium	Melbourne Cricket Ground
playingteams	Essendon (1993–) 346 games, 68 goals
statsend	Round 24 2011
careerhighlights	*Essendon premiership side 1993, 2000 All-Australian 2000, 2007 Essendon Best and Fairest 2000 International Rules Series (goalkeeper) 2005, 2006 (co-captain) }}

Dustin Fletcher (born 7 May 1975) is an Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club. He is renowned as one of the finest defenders in the AFL, and has played at full-back for his team for many years. He is the son of former Bombers captain Ken Fletcher. He is the oldest player currently playing AFL as well as holding the unique record of being the most watched AFL footballer of all time, with a cumulative attendance of 15,864,894 spectators at matches in which Fletcher played between 1993 to 2010.

Playing career

Fletcher was a member of the "Baby Bombers" (Essendon's 1993 premiership team) in his first AFL season. He is the only member of that side still playing AFL football. He also played in Essendon's 2000 premiership win and received the club's "Best and Fairest" award (the Crichton Medal). He was selected as an all-Australian player in both 2000 and 2007.

Fletcher was the goalkeeper for Australia in the International Rules series in 2005, 2006 (as co-captain), and 2010.

In Round 13 of 2008, Dustin and his father Ken claimed the record of most VFL/AFL games played by a father-son combination, with 552 games between them. Fletcher played his 300th game in Round 5, 2009. He is playing his 19th season in 2011, and many regard him to be one of the top defenders in AFL/VFL history. In round 9, 2010, Fletcher played in his 322nd AFL game against the Richmond Football Club, overtaking a long-standing record for the second most games for the Essendon team, held by Dick Reynolds; however, at that stage, he still needed 67 games to overtake the outright record holder, Simon Madden.

He is currently the oldest player in the AFL, at the age of 36, and is also the only player remaining from Essendon's 1993 and 2000 premiership sides still playing today. Fletcher will play his 19th AFL season in 2011 after signing a one year contract.

Playing style

Fletcher's execution of the torpedo punt was often used as a set-play clearing strategy by coach Kevin Sheedy. In a game in 2007, Fletcher kicked a 75 metre torpedo punt goal from ten metres behind the centre square. Again, in round 20 2009, Fletcher kicked another enormous goal, again a torpedo, in the game that ended the St Kilda Saints 19 match winning streak. According to ''The Sunday Age'', it was the fifth longest kick in the history of the VFL/AFL.

Personal life

Fletcher is married to Suzie Fletcher and they have two sons – Mason and Max.

Dustin went to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, as did Rick Olarenshaw, Trent Cotchin, Robert Hicks, and Scott West.

References

External links

Category:Essendon Football Club players Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:All-Australians Category:W. S. Crichton Medal winners Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria Category:Western Jets players

name	Peter Daicos
birth date	September 20, 1961
originalteam	Preston
heightweight	184 cm / 90 kg
debutdate	Round 4, 1979
debutteam	Collingwood
debutopponent	St Kilda
debutstadium	Victoria Park
playingteams	Collingwood (1979–1993) 250 Games, 549 goals
statsend	1994
careerhighlights	Collingwood Copeland Trophy winner 1982, 1988 Collingwood leading goalkicker 1981, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1992 Collingwood Premiership side 1990 Collingwood Team of the Century VFL/AFL Team of the Year 1982, 1988, 1990 Victorian representative (5 games, 12 goals) Goal of the Year 1991 AFL Hall of Fame member }}

Peter Daicos (born 20 September 1961 in Fitzroy, Victoria) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played his entire 250 game career with the Collingwood Football Club in the VFL/AFL.

He is one of the greatest players in the history of the Australian Football League, being a member of the AFL Hall of Fame and was renowned for his consistent ability to kick freakish goals from seemingly impossible angles. During his 250 game career his league honours include a premiership, and kicking the Goal of the Year. He also represented his home state of Victoria a total of five times.

Daicos is considered to be one of Collingwood's all-time greats, being named in the club's Team of the Century, leading the club's goalkicking for five seasons, winning the best and fairest twice and playing in the club's drought breaking 1990 premiership.

Profile

Peter Daicos is commonly known as the ''Macedonian Marvel'' because of his parents' place of origin who were both immigrants from the village of Vevi, near Florina in Greece.

He was raised in a family background with local Macedonian Language spoken at home and church services attended on Sundays but with the main difference regarding his interest on Footy instead of Soccer, up to playing with the school team whilst at Preston East High School.

Peter debuted with the Collingwood Football Club in 1979. He went on to play 250 games (for 549 goals) with the Magpies until his retirement in 1993, and won a premiership with them in 1990 opening the way by kicking Collingwood's first goal in that match.

In the 1990 season, Daicos scored 97 goals playing mostly from full-forward, a feat made all the more remarkable since he was considerably shorter than many full-forwards of the era. His skills in scoring from impossible angles, as well as the ability in getting rid from defenders made pundits to start naming him as ''The Magician''.

In fact, one of his goals, drawing the 1990 Qualifying Final became the subject of a Toyota Memorable Moments advertisement, first screened in 2005.

In 1999 Daicos was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and in 2002 he was elected in the AFL Greek Team of the Century reserved for players having full or partial Greek heritage.

Although Peter defines himself as "Macedonian" he accepted this distinction "to honour the sacrifices that his parents made".

In 2005 Peter Daicos became coach at a local club called the Greythorn Falcons and in 2006 he coached them to an 80 point win in the Grand Final.

In 2007/08 he launched SportzStats, a hybrid online/offline sports statistics tracking and diary system for junior players in various sports and as of 2009, he is also a weekly guest tipper on the Score Five Footy tipping game.

In 2010 Daicos resumed commentating duties with the AFL Live radio team. Nowadays, his name is used by journalists as an adjective to describe a difficult goal scored from the boundary in play (a 'Daicos goal').

See also

List of VFL/AFL players by ethnicity

References

AFL: Hall of Fame

External links

Peter Daicos web site

Profile on fullpointsfooty.net

Category:Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:Collingwood Football Club players Category:Copeland Trophy winners Category:Victorian State of Origin players Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Melbourne Category:Australian people of Greek descent Category:Australian people of Macedonian descent Category:1961 births Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria