Lack of Ruckmen

[jb03]

It struck me watching the game Friday night that we recruited Marsh as back up if Stafford or Ottens went down - something that happended with Staff getting three weeks. This may have been an ok decision if we were a shot at the flag this year - but clearly we are not.

My query is, do we have any young ruckmen to try out because Marsh is clearly not a long term decision and Stafford must be nearing the end of his career. So who then are we bringing through the system as potential long term ruckmen to suppoort Ottens.

Further, if we lost marsh, Stafford and Ottens to injury at the same time this year, who would play in the ruck.

 

[jayfox]

Hall is the obvious, although not wonderful, choice if all other 3 went down.

 

[seven]

Hall is the obvious, although not wonderful, choice if all other 3 went down.

Yep. Hall is our only option. Don't know if shultz can play ruck. We're lacking a young ruckman. Marsh was a late minute selection after McGrath saga.

 

[TigerForce]

Hall is the obvious, although not wonderful, choice if all other 3 went down.

Yep. Hall is our only option. Don't know if shultz can play ruck. We're lacking a young ruckman. Marsh was a late minute selection after McGrath saga.

We still have an enthusiastic tall youngster called Kyle Archibald who hasn't played any games yet because of this osteitis pubis 'fashion'. I just noticed he was pretty strong in the practice matches.

 

[seven]

Hall is the obvious, although not wonderful, choice if all other 3 went down.

Yep. Hall is our only option. Don't know if shultz can play ruck. We're lacking a young ruckman. Marsh was a late minute selection after McGrath saga.

We still have an enthusiastic tall youngster called Kyle Archibald who hasn't played any games yet because of this osteitis pubis 'fashion'. I just noticed he was pretty strong in the practice matches.

Archibald is still young, think he just turned 18. But he is more of a forward then a ruckman. Seen him play a game very early this year. Looks like he has strong hands.

 

[johnson2richo2003]

will be interesting what we do come the national draft.we do need to look at a young ruckman to groom once staff retires and to help out otto.
as the saints and to a lesser extent the pies teams can do without a top notch ruckman as long as the midfield.
will be interesting with our 1st and 2nd picks which way we go.

 

[Harry]

My opinion on Ruckmen is that you should not give up too much to get a decent one. I would look to utilise a 3rd or 4th round pick on an up and coming ruckman.....someone who looks into developing into a big and strong player.

IMO you need quality on-ballers - players with pace, skill, urgency, and ball carrying ability. Your precious early picks should always be used on these quality on-ballers. Good on-ballers make average Ruckmen and KP Players look good, whereas poor on-ballers make good Ruckmen and good KP Players look average. The latter has been the case at RFC for a while now. A good ruckman and good KP Players cannot carry poor on-ballers.

In my opinion you don't need a dominant ruckman to b a dominant side - you just need a ruckman that can successfully nulify the opposite ruckman and one that can take a few marks here and there and be competitive in marking contests.

Currently St.Kilda, Port, and Brisbane are showing that you don't need a dominant ruckman and Collingwood in the past couple of years have also shown this.

 

[dmx]

Currently St.Kilda, Port, and Brisbane are showing that you don't need a dominant ruckman and Collingwood in the past couple of years have also shown this.   

I am not far from agreeing with you Harry, but i come a cropper when it comes to the month of September.

Brisbane, have had the dominant ruckman in Keating in all their finals appearances, with the services of Charman lending a helping hand and learning the game as he goes.
The other 3 sides you mention, well, they all fall short when i comes to the crunch, with the exception of the Saints who still need to be put to the test.

Port suffered big time without Primus, and Collingwood well they are still scratching their heads as to where they are going to conjure up that missing ingredient that they needed to get that elusive flag.

They are about to remedy that this year because i can put money on the fact they are positioning themselves in the draft to make a play for say an Otto or some other out of contract dissilllusioned ruckman.

At the end of the day you have to have the dominant big man to win a flag.

 

[om21]

How about we play Richo in the ruck? I mean he played everywhere last year....

dmx is right....Keating has played roles in all 3 GFs with help from Beau McDonald....I think its important at crunch time.

 

[dmx]

How about we play Richo in the ruck? I mean he played everywhere last year....

dmx is right....Keating has played roles in all 3 GFs with help from Beau McDonald....I think its important at crunch time.

I have been debating on Richoi for so long om, its not funny.

Maybe its a little late now, but I still think if the club had the vision to teach him how to ruck, with the aerobic capacity he has along with the marking power, coupled with his speed for a player his size, he would have been the next big thing playing in that role, they have just abour ruined him because they wanted him to kick goals and he cant kick..bottom line..

but i know one thing...when it comes to just hitting a target, he comes up trumps 99% of the time.

Its incredible that someone with such an awkward set shot can on the run just put it on the chest of whoever he is aiming for.

If anyone disagrees because they are not looking closely enough, i will give yo this food for thought.

Just think about, how many times Richo goes for a short and misses?...

 

[FightingFury]

My opinion on Ruckmen is that you should not give up too much to get a decent one.  I would look to utilise a 3rd or 4th round pick on an up and coming ruckman.....someone who looks into developing into a big and strong player.   

IMO you need quality on-ballers - players with pace, skill, urgency, and ball carrying ability.  Your precious early picks should always be used on these quality on-ballers.  Good on-ballers make average Ruckmen and KP Players look good, whereas poor on-ballers make good Ruckmen and good KP Players look average.  The latter has been the case at RFC for a while now.  A good ruckman and good KP Players cannot carry poor on-ballers.

In my opinion you don't need a dominant ruckman to b a dominant side - you just need a ruckman that can successfully nulify the opposite ruckman and one that can take a few marks here and there and be competitive in marking contests. 

Currently St.Kilda, Port, and Brisbane are showing that you don't need a dominant ruckman and Collingwood in the past couple of years have also shown this.   

Ive often thought that a good ruckman is secondary to good midfielders too.
Clearly Kevin Sheedy doesn't rate them too highly either as evidenced by rehashing Grigic,Barnes,Salmon and now Allan.
He also was about the only guy to rate Alessio too.
During the winter months l reckon you need them for a strong contest but they have less impact than the smaller guys.

NOFX has a point come finals time however and a mobile big bloke who can take a grab becomes all so important on a bigger dry ground.
I think the way ruckman are heading is to become a goodes/Ottens prototype because they can play other positions other than ruck...versatility is their key

 

[dmx]

Ive often thought that a good ruckman is secondary to good midfielders too.
Clearly Kevin Sheedy doesn't rate them too highly either as evidenced by rehashing Grigic,Barnes,Salmon and now Allan.
He also was about the only guy to rate Alessio too.
During the winter months l reckon you need them for a strong contest but they have less impact than the smaller guys.

NOFX has a point come finals time however and a mobile big bloke who can take a grab becomes all so important on a bigger dry ground.
I think the way ruckman are heading is to become a goodes/Ottens prototype because they can play other positions other than ruck...versatility is their key   

Sheedy doesnt rate them to highly struggle?
Just ask him how good it feels to have the next Simon Madden in Hille around.

 

[Joshnbeks Dad]

If Hille is the next Simon Madden I'll go he.

Talk to an Essendon supporter about Hille. To put it in RFC terms he's a dud.

 

[dmx]

If Hille is the next Simon Madden I'll go he.

Talk to an Essendon supporter about Hille.  To put it in RFC terms he's a dud.

I would like to comment but i wont Josh.
I have read a few of your assesments on a few of our players so we can agree to disagree.

 

[FightingFury]

Ive often thought that a good ruckman is secondary to good midfielders too.
Clearly Kevin Sheedy doesn't rate them too highly either as evidenced by rehashing Grigic,Barnes,Salmon and now Allan.
He also was about the only guy to rate Alessio too.
During the winter months l reckon you need them for a strong contest but they have less impact than the smaller guys.

NOFX has a point come finals time however and a mobile big bloke who can take a grab becomes all so important on a bigger dry ground.
I think the way ruckman are heading is to become a goodes/Ottens prototype because they can play other positions other than ruck...versatility is their key   

Sheedy doesnt rate them to highly struggle?
Just ask him how good it feels to have the next Simon Madden in Hille around.

Read the post FX!
He rehashes old ruckman who are cast-offs.
Now Hille they are developing,and if he turns out good then he'll be pleased, but wont chase another big name big man if he doesn't work out.
As for you rating him the next Madden,lm no way convinced.
My mate who follows the Dons cant stand the guy and rates him a soft touch.

 

[Berwick boy]

Ive often thought that a good ruckman is secondary to good midfielders too.
Clearly Kevin Sheedy doesn't rate them too highly either as evidenced by rehashing Grigic,Barnes,Salmon and now Allan.
He also was about the only guy to rate Alessio too.
During the winter months l reckon you need them for a strong contest but they have less impact than the smaller guys.

NOFX has a point come finals time however and a mobile big bloke who can take a grab becomes all so important on a bigger dry ground.
I think the way ruckman are heading is to become a goodes/Ottens prototype because they can play other positions other than ruck...versatility is their key   

Sheedy doesnt rate them to highly struggle?
Just ask him how good it feels to have the next Simon Madden in Hille around.

Read the post FX!
He rehashes old ruckman who are cast-offs.
Now Hille they are developing,and if he turns out good then he'll be pleased, but wont chase another big name big man if he doesn't work out.
As for you rating him the next Madden,lm no way convinced.
My mate who follows the Dons cant stand the guy and rates him a soft touch.

yeah..you tell him struggle...twice ;D