View Full Version : Public perception about Taylor and Campbell
philhawk
27 Jul 2007, 16:06
It's always funny to see, going into most weeks, Taylor and Campbell being described by opposition fans as a 'weakness'.
Sure, they may not be the two best ruckmen in the league, but they compliment each other terrifically well and in that regards, are one of the best ruck combination in the AFL.
Sure, it's a statement that can be argued, but that's my opinion on the matter.
Even so, both those players on their own merits can match it with the best in the competition.
Looking at the stats from the matches we've played this year, in 16 games, we've only been beaten in hitouts on 3 occasions.
vs Brisbane (Bad loss)
vs Fremantle (Let's face it, who doesn't lose against Sandilands)
vs Sydney (vs Jolly and Spida - who ARE the best ruck duo IMO)
I think they have been very good this year. They get their hand to the ball a lot, I think their only weakness is they do not really get a lot of clean taps to advantage but they are fairly young.
That is something McIntosh has worked on this year, directing the ball down to a team mate and a lot of the time when he loses the hit out he still competes and prevents a clear tap to advantage to the opposition.
I thought your ruck would be a weakness since Everitt left last year but you have covered his absence pretty well this year.
delirious1
27 Jul 2007, 16:28
Not the best, but certainly not weak, solid combo, both workhorses without dominating
PADJUAN
27 Jul 2007, 16:34
It's always funny to see, going into most weeks, Taylor and Campbell being described by opposition fans as a 'weakness'.
Sure, they may not be the two best ruckmen in the league, but they compliment each other terrifically well and in that regards, are one of the best ruck combination in the AFL.
Sure, it's a statement that can be argued, but that's my opinion on the matter.
Even so, both those players on their own merits can match it with the best in the competition.
Looking at the stats from the matches we've played this year, in 16 games, we've only been beaten in hitouts on 3 occasions.
vs Brisbane (Bad loss)
vs Fremantle (Let's face it, who doesn't lose against Sandilands)
vs Sydney (vs Jolly and Spida - who ARE the best ruck duo IMO)
Individually they probably wouldnt compare to a few of the leagues leading ruckmen. As a combination they match it with any other combination, sydney aside, who have two ruckmen who could be All Australian on their day.. The thing with having Campbell & Taylor, when the 'starting' ruck is rested we lose very little, whereas most clubs fall away between ruckmen.
I would much rather have a strong combination who battle it out over the course of the game and are rarely beaten over 4 qtrs than have one dominant ruck and let the opposition take control whenever they are rested.
Thurmus
27 Jul 2007, 16:35
You would have to put Lade and Brogan as the best combination.
One good thing is they are different types of players so it creates a problem with matchups. Also both are not afraid to chase their own taps and are often the ones laying tackles on an opposition who gets the ball.
Individually, they're a weakness, but together they're rock solid. It's why both are in the top 5 most important players IMO, because individually having to play with the reserves this would definitely become our weakness.
Similar in my opinion to Geelong's ruck duo, Ottens and Blake, in that individually they're not great but together they're very good. Bomber said he thought that Ottens was almost the most important player in their team, regardless of the fact Ottens is no longer rated nor criticized, and the reason I believe Bomber would say that, is the same as I mentioned above (despite having King in reserve, which must say something about his playing future).
On a separate matter, FYI, Bomber also said (on Footy Classifieds) that Scarlett and Mooney are the other two most important players. It just exemplifies what I've been saying for quite a while, in Croad being very important. While he isn't as good as Scarlett, him being able to match against power forwards is very important. And in this is why Mooney is so important, in that he is a power forward, that are difficult to match up on, and the forward structure can be built around. This vindicates why our future is prosperous, having Roughie, Thorp and Dowler being potential power forwards, and shows our forward line, while currently is good when all are there, but a power forward would give much more potency.
Robber Baron
27 Jul 2007, 18:01
Not the best, but certainly not weak, solid combo, both workhorses without dominating
Agree with you and just imagine next year with Renouf with a preseason and Bailey after the injury well have so many options for big men if they get injured and we can rest them so there not tired or have to play them injured so come finals were fit and ready. Clarkos got it all planned out hes very very smart.
shawthing09
27 Jul 2007, 18:33
I am a collingwood supporter but watch a lot of hawk matches with my ol man who is a passionate supporter and would have to agree both are under rated as a ruck team for mine taylor has shown really impressive signs and on the information i have been given was a rower originally and is one of those atheletes who was selected at afl level with the hope he'd learn as he goes whilst i dun think its dominate it's deffinatly not a weakness and taylor would be one of those players that if i was a fan would frustrate me with some of the good things he does and wondering why he can not produce consistantly but give it time
Dixie Flatline
27 Jul 2007, 18:49
I am a collingwood supporter but watch a lot of hawk matches with my ol man who is a passionate supporter and would have to agree both are under rated as a ruck team for mine taylor has shown really impressive signs and on the information i have been given was a rower originally and is one of those atheletes who was selected at afl level with the hope he'd learn as he goes whilst i dun think its dominate it's deffinatly not a weakness and taylor would be one of those players that if i was a fan would frustrate me with some of the good things he does and wondering why he can not produce consistantly but give it time
What went wrong? ;)
shawthing09
27 Jul 2007, 21:43
rest of the family are collingwood supporters lol still enjoy watching hawthorn though
Intresting hypothetical collingwood are in need of a good tap/back up ruckmen to give our center better chance and also release fraser up foward more. I think you guys are in need of a dangerous crummbing foward collingwood has an abundance or quality crummbers in davis thomas didak broadie holland started his career up foward brad dick has been shown he knows where the goals are. I think you guys with bailey renouf coming up aswell as campbell and taylor have a strong ruck division. Realistically what as a trade do you think hawthorn would be happy with given i doubt you would give up renouf or bailey. Would holland and dick for taylor do ? given i doubt this would happen as both sides have shown a reluctancy to trade in there process of building their sides
That's a really interesting hypothetical trade. Realistically, we would want a proven goalsneak, like a Davis and im not sure we would want to give up a Campbell to do that. I'm also fairly certain you wouldn't give away Neon Leon either. Very good points though.