Ruck - The most important position? | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Ruck - The most important position?

tigerjoe

tigerjoe

EAT 'EM ALIVE TIGERS!
Aug 24, 2003
2,602
128
Melbourne
Looking at the top teams and finals over the decades there is no doubt that good rucks help your team very significantly.

Going on this year alone the reemergence of Cox at West Coast and the consistency of Ottens at the Cats has helped push their clubs into the finals. Put Jolly in the ruck last year and the mugpies take the next step.
The hawks failed miserably last night, is it any coincidence their rucks are not up to it?

While all positions are important, midfields are critical as are KPP, but first use of the ball at centre bounces and stoppages is simply invaluable

While we all know about our ruck plight, I'm sure the club is fully aware too.......
This trade period will be looked at in years to come as to whether or not we can get out of the 3 decade rut we are in, given the young talent we have at our disposal.
 
I don't think you can say it's the most important, but it is very important. I think you need one to be successful but you also need a good midfield and solid defense. I don't think any of these are more important than the other.
 
Constantly scabbing the ball from other team's ruckman gets depressing. Some decent service is important if we want to play finals some time soon and not lose our quality mids through sheer frustration.
 
One of the most important IMHO.

We went okay in the early pRt of the year because Gus was playing a servicable role, as he fell away we tapered until we brought the Ranga in and he played a gallant game against the Bummers for a good win by us. After that game he was well beaten I thought and the team played crap in sync with his struggles. We came good only after Gus had played for his career in the magoos and returned to the team to play up to his best battling standards. Our season reflected our ruck's effort all year.
 
Yep, very important.

It's a lot harder to rove to the opposition ruck than your own ruckman.
Getting it tapped to your advantage is a HUGE benefit. (it was for me anyway! :hihi)
 
You can win a flag without a dominant ruck but it is very hard to win a flag if the other mob have a dominant ruck.
 
I am pretty sure it was Leigh Matthews who made the comment last night. The team with the dominant ruckmen is the team who wins the match.

Brad Ottens turned that game last night on his own.
 
For a side like ours with no real damaging/competitive ruckman, it becomes just about the most important position.

Our mids suffer greatly without one.
 
It isn't just the tap work. The ruckman is almost your Queen in chess. As about the only bloke who can go where he pleases without an opponent he can

1. Drop in the hole in front of forwards.
2. Have him free in the centre and the the opponent can't go through the corridor, or move him a kick behind play to deny the long kick
3. He is you main target on kick-ins, and the main way to defend kick-ins
4. Provide a long-bomb target up forward that you can rove to
etc

A smart hardworking ruckman can be one of your best 10 players without ever appearing on the TV screen.
 
SCOOP said:
You can win a flag without a dominant ruck but it is very hard to win a flag if the other mob have a dominant ruck.
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Pretty much how I see it. Look at Hawthorn in 08 with Campbell and Renouf.

Problem for us at the moment is we have totally incompetent ruckman. Jolly is handy for the Pies but wouldn't rate him in the top 6 or 7 #1 rucks in the AFL. Collingwood do just fine because of their midfield spread and talent over the park.
 
tigerjoe said:
Is it any wonder that without Cox West Coast couldnt get over the line today?
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Not really. The pies>>>the eagles. But he sure would have been handy.
 
Smoking Aces said:
I am pretty sure it was Leigh Matthews who made the comment last night. The team with the dominant ruckmen is the team who wins the match.
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Geez...we won games this year without the dominant ruckman in most of those winning games.
 
Barnzy said:
Jolly is handy for the Pies but wouldn't rate him in the top 6 or 7 #1 rucks in the AFL. Collingwood do just fine because of their midfield spread and talent over the park.
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Bit surprised at this. Jolly would be in the top 3 for mine.

Got on top of both Cox and Nic Nat today in a match winning effort.
 
josey said:
Bit surprised at this. Jolly would be in the top 3 for mine.
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Not for mine. 16th for hitouts this year. Doesn't offer more than many around the ground.

Cox, Goldstein, Mumford, Leunberger, Sandilands (when not injured) McEvoy, Jacobs were all quite clearly superior to Jolly this year IMO. If I was playing off for a flag I'd take most of them before Jolly as well. He's a good and handy ruckman but far from the best.
 
Barnzy said:
Not for mine. 16th for hitouts this year. Doesn't offer more than many around the ground.

Cox, Goldstein, Mumford, Leunberger, Sandilands (when not injured) McEvoy, Jacobs were all quite clearly superior to Jolly this year IMO. If I was playing off for a flag I'd take most of them before Jolly as well. He's a good and handy ruckman but far from the best.
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He may not have had his best year, but as a dual premiership ruckman I reckon his record speaks for itself.

At his best he is able to physically dominate most ruckman, as he did with Cox and Natanui today.

Sandilands and Mumford are able to physically impose themselves on games, much in that same way Jolly did today and Ottens did last night.

I would back these four blokes against the other guys you rate in a grand final anytime.
 
Barnzy said:
Not for mine. 16th for hitouts this year. Doesn't offer more than many around the ground.

Cox, Goldstein, Mumford, Leunberger, Sandilands (when not injured) McEvoy, Jacobs were all quite clearly superior to Jolly this year IMO. If I was playing off for a flag I'd take most of them before Jolly as well. He's a good and handy ruckman but far from the best.
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No Ottens??
 
Barnzy said:
Not for mine. 16th for hitouts this year. Doesn't offer more than many around the ground.

Cox, Goldstein, Mumford, Leunberger, Sandilands (when not injured) McEvoy, Jacobs were all quite clearly superior to Jolly this year IMO. If I was playing off for a flag I'd take most of them before Jolly as well. He's a good and handy ruckman but far from the best.
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He was injured for much of the year but I can see what you're saying. Champagne midfield to work with. The Pies didn't lose many with Wood in the ruck and he is a dead set gumby.

Interesting stats

Jolly 14 games 330 hitouts @ 23.6 per game
Gus 14 games 331 hitouts @ 23.6 per game

Disposals and marks were eerily similar as well.

So since he's no good either maybe the Pies will swap us for the younger version at the end of the year. :hihi
 
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