Getting a bit confused by all of the new positions you're being told to get into?

Can't tell your ruck from your back pocket? This might help then.

Ruckman

Typically one of the tallest players in the team, ruckmen are the players who go up for the contest at bounces and throw-ins.  Their job is to tap the ball to one of their team mates, and there is usually quite a lot of pushing and shoving between opposing ruckmen before the ball gets anywhere near them.

Ruck rover/ centre

Sniffing around the ruck like a dog around the butchers, the ruck rover needs to be on hand to pick up any and avery scrap left by the big ruckmen. They need to be able to get rid of the ball quickly and accurately, but firstly in order to get the ball they need to be willing to throw their bodies on the line. Rovers Rovers do just the same thing as their ruck bound companions, but simply aren't allowed to start their work as close to the ruckmen.

Full forward

These are the goal poachers of the game, the Owens and Linekers. They are not expected to defend at all, in fact their sole target is to kick as many goals as possible. They are usually marked pretty tightly by defenders so need to be quick and skilful, but most importantly they need to be able to kick accurately and quickly.

Forward pocket

The forward pockets job is pretty similar to someone like Aaron Lennon or the old Ryan Giggs. Their job is to stay forward and close to the boundary lines to pick up the ball and attack. If needed they can drift inside and can support the full forward, as long as they don’t stay centralised too much.

Wing

In soccer terms, wings are more like left or right sided midfielder as opposed to orthodox wingers. They play on either side of the centre square, and provide the width a team might need. They are also a great link between back and forward pockets.

Centre half forward

One of the most important positions on the pitch, these are the players who link defence and attack. They usually chip in with their fair share of goals, but also do a lot of work to get the ball forward to the other attacking players. Think Lampard or Scholes and you’re not far off.

Centre half back

If a centre half forward is a vital part of an attack, the centre half back is the equivalent for the defence.  They need to be strong and athletic enough to keep the opposition centre half forward in their reach and stifle attacks before they are made. Makalele would be the master if he played AFL.

Half back

similar to the centre half back, this role is mostly defensive and is probably the equivelant of a wing-back in soccer. 

Back pocket

Ashley Cole would be the soccer player who springs to mind here, a player who needs to be quick and strong in the tackle but also be able to move the ball forward quickly to initiate or support attacks.

Full back

A purely defensive position, their job is to stop the full forward from touching the ball, let alone kicking a goal. Full backs need to stay tighter to a player than his shadow, and are expected to contest every ball that goes near them. They may also be expected to kick the ball out if a behind is conceded, so a good kicking foot is useful.