Tundrawolf
22 Oct 2007, 21:12
Some info on rucks and fullbacks in this years draft Many thanks to the other posters who have given profiles of each player.
RUCKMAN
Ben McEvoy (Ruck / Fwd) - 11 July 1989, 199cm 90kg. Not a super-tall ruckman. Plays alot up forward and wasn't particularly impressive in TAC GF. Highly rated despite poor GF.
Thomas Bellchambers (Ruck) - 9 July 1989, 199cm 91kg.
Throwback to the pure tap-ruckman. Might be rated more highly but the fact that his tap work doesn't find teammates enough. He hits them where he wants - but why does he hit them where he does? Around the ground is only just handy.
James Mulligan (Ruck, Key Def, Key Fwd) - 14 June 1989, 201cm 96kg. Good height, good athleticism and has shown an ability to play CHB despite being 201cm. Also quite skilled with a booming 60m kick which is very handy on point kick-ins. Known since under-16 days. Lacks competitiveness and tends to flop man-on-man. Should do much more ruckwork than he does and offers little when he is there. Height, athleticism and skill - will be a sought-after project and could blossom into a draft bargain with a bit more muscle and ticker.
Andrew Renton (Ruck) - 29 March 1989, 202cm 94kg. Developing tall tap-ruckman. At club level has shunted Matt Lobbe out of the centre and claimed the number 1 ruck spot. Showing a rapid rate of improvement from week to week and should sneak ahead of Sullivan (at least) by season end. Capable of snagging a goal or two resting up forward and around the ground work is improving.
Will Sullivan (Ruck) - 24 August 1989, 202cm 95kg. Was impressive last season showing an ability to take a contested mark and to kick well. This season form has been mixed, the around the ground work has been less prevalent, and he looks more a pure tap ruckman. McEvoy jumped all over him and he has probably lost a few too many ruck duels in the league to be drafted with a lot of confidence.
Dawson Simpson - 17/02/1989, 207cm 100kg. He is a ruckman, a huge and intimidating ruckman. That could be a worry for AFL players of the future as he will be even bigger after a few years of AFL weight training. Probably isn't suited to any other positions. His role as a ruckman would be to contest the hitouts and then play a kick behind play and to also fill the hole in front of the full forward.
FULL BACKS
Tayte Pears (Key Def) - 24 March 1990, 192cm 90kg.
A shining light in the WA defence locking down CHB and spoiling everything that came his way and being very comfortable in a WA back-6 that looked to pass, run and switch the ball. 192cm and bottom-aged hints at room for improvement. He was heavily coached by his compadres so will need to get a little wiser about his positioning - but a superb championships will see him project as an AFL CHB or FB.
Alex Rance (Key Def) - 9 October 1989, 194cm 87kg. WA Was superb at FB and at 194cm is a perfect height for the AFL scouts. Should good courage in his aerial work and was a very enthusiastic rebounder racking up touches from the last line. Good kicking is crucial in a modern FB for switching play and maintaining possession and Rance ticks that box. The prototype modern FB.
Steve Gaertner (Wing / HBF / Kef Def) - 2 January 1990, 196cm 83kg. Athletic freak who needs to be taught how to play, where to go, how to get the footy and where to kick it. That said he is 196cm, can run like the wind and leap tall buildings in a single bound. Someone will take him as a project player and it will be very early on. If he learns to kick he will compete with Jarred Brennan and Lance Franklin for highlight-reel time. Better prospect than the likes of Tom Williams who went much early too.
Dan McKenna (Key Def) - 29 June 1989, 194cm 82kg. Plays club footy at FF or CHF but really found wanting there in too many big games for my liking. When shunted to CHB he looks more comfortable. Seems to prefer having someone else make the play and then being able to come over the top for the spoil or in from the side. Rather muppet-armed and spindly - a course of protein shakes and he might make a good stopper.
Travis Dulic (Key Def) - 19 July 1989, 192cm 90kg. Bigger bodied key defender who has a competitive streak and doesn't mind charging out of defence with the ball in his hands and booming it long. The disposal can get better, and there are probably some more athletic backmen around. But Dulic will have the bulk and desire to do the man-on-man stuff that some of the lighter blokes will struggle with.
Joel Smouha - 5 February 1990, 196cm 80kg. Smouha could be a very effective full back with his height and leap. Although a bit short for the spot, Smouha does have ruck ability so he could be used there. With the ability to cover a lot of distance, a team might think that Smouha could be a centre half forward that could lead up through the middle as a marking option. He is more than an athletic project for a team, Smouha is a good football prospect with a lot of possibilities.
RUCKMAN
Ben McEvoy (Ruck / Fwd) - 11 July 1989, 199cm 90kg. Not a super-tall ruckman. Plays alot up forward and wasn't particularly impressive in TAC GF. Highly rated despite poor GF.
Thomas Bellchambers (Ruck) - 9 July 1989, 199cm 91kg.
Throwback to the pure tap-ruckman. Might be rated more highly but the fact that his tap work doesn't find teammates enough. He hits them where he wants - but why does he hit them where he does? Around the ground is only just handy.
James Mulligan (Ruck, Key Def, Key Fwd) - 14 June 1989, 201cm 96kg. Good height, good athleticism and has shown an ability to play CHB despite being 201cm. Also quite skilled with a booming 60m kick which is very handy on point kick-ins. Known since under-16 days. Lacks competitiveness and tends to flop man-on-man. Should do much more ruckwork than he does and offers little when he is there. Height, athleticism and skill - will be a sought-after project and could blossom into a draft bargain with a bit more muscle and ticker.
Andrew Renton (Ruck) - 29 March 1989, 202cm 94kg. Developing tall tap-ruckman. At club level has shunted Matt Lobbe out of the centre and claimed the number 1 ruck spot. Showing a rapid rate of improvement from week to week and should sneak ahead of Sullivan (at least) by season end. Capable of snagging a goal or two resting up forward and around the ground work is improving.
Will Sullivan (Ruck) - 24 August 1989, 202cm 95kg. Was impressive last season showing an ability to take a contested mark and to kick well. This season form has been mixed, the around the ground work has been less prevalent, and he looks more a pure tap ruckman. McEvoy jumped all over him and he has probably lost a few too many ruck duels in the league to be drafted with a lot of confidence.
Dawson Simpson - 17/02/1989, 207cm 100kg. He is a ruckman, a huge and intimidating ruckman. That could be a worry for AFL players of the future as he will be even bigger after a few years of AFL weight training. Probably isn't suited to any other positions. His role as a ruckman would be to contest the hitouts and then play a kick behind play and to also fill the hole in front of the full forward.
FULL BACKS
Tayte Pears (Key Def) - 24 March 1990, 192cm 90kg.
A shining light in the WA defence locking down CHB and spoiling everything that came his way and being very comfortable in a WA back-6 that looked to pass, run and switch the ball. 192cm and bottom-aged hints at room for improvement. He was heavily coached by his compadres so will need to get a little wiser about his positioning - but a superb championships will see him project as an AFL CHB or FB.
Alex Rance (Key Def) - 9 October 1989, 194cm 87kg. WA Was superb at FB and at 194cm is a perfect height for the AFL scouts. Should good courage in his aerial work and was a very enthusiastic rebounder racking up touches from the last line. Good kicking is crucial in a modern FB for switching play and maintaining possession and Rance ticks that box. The prototype modern FB.
Steve Gaertner (Wing / HBF / Kef Def) - 2 January 1990, 196cm 83kg. Athletic freak who needs to be taught how to play, where to go, how to get the footy and where to kick it. That said he is 196cm, can run like the wind and leap tall buildings in a single bound. Someone will take him as a project player and it will be very early on. If he learns to kick he will compete with Jarred Brennan and Lance Franklin for highlight-reel time. Better prospect than the likes of Tom Williams who went much early too.
Dan McKenna (Key Def) - 29 June 1989, 194cm 82kg. Plays club footy at FF or CHF but really found wanting there in too many big games for my liking. When shunted to CHB he looks more comfortable. Seems to prefer having someone else make the play and then being able to come over the top for the spoil or in from the side. Rather muppet-armed and spindly - a course of protein shakes and he might make a good stopper.
Travis Dulic (Key Def) - 19 July 1989, 192cm 90kg. Bigger bodied key defender who has a competitive streak and doesn't mind charging out of defence with the ball in his hands and booming it long. The disposal can get better, and there are probably some more athletic backmen around. But Dulic will have the bulk and desire to do the man-on-man stuff that some of the lighter blokes will struggle with.
Joel Smouha - 5 February 1990, 196cm 80kg. Smouha could be a very effective full back with his height and leap. Although a bit short for the spot, Smouha does have ruck ability so he could be used there. With the ability to cover a lot of distance, a team might think that Smouha could be a centre half forward that could lead up through the middle as a marking option. He is more than an athletic project for a team, Smouha is a good football prospect with a lot of possibilities.