Crossword Genius

Footballer in a flap with hard man (3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fly-half

'footballer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'flap with hard man' is the wordplay.
'flap' becomes 'fly' (fly is a kind of flap).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'man' becomes 'Alf' (short for Alfred).
'fly'+'h'+'alf'='FLY-HALF'

'in a' acts as a link.

(Another definition for fly-half that I've seen is " Stand-off".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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