Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
I think Tom Nicholls proved to us all last night that despite our loss and our general lack of effort and skill, that he is prepared to bare the load and put in the hard yards to become our number one ruckman. He applies pressure, has an improving kick, a great mark, and has been very effective in the ruck.
At the moment, his key flaw is his persistent jumping too early. That can, in theory, be trained out of him with a decent ruck coach and continued games.
However, despite being 23 and having been with the club since 2011, he's only played twenty games in his whole career.
There has been talk of recruiting a tough, mature, and experienced ruckman like Minson or Hale to the Suns at the end of the year, but if Nicholls continues uninjured the way he has been, and Brooksby proves his worth at AFL level, then maybe it won't be needed.
I'm hopeful for a Nicholls/Brooksby ruck combo, but I'm not nearly familiar enough to say definitively what potential Brooksby has, and whether he's AFL material. But as for Nicholls, he's getting better and better every game, and for a bloke who hasn't ever completed a season without an injury, he's going very well.
As for Smith - well, I think it's clear that he'll be getting the boot at the end of the year. Gorringe too.
Everyone is invited to share their thoughts and views on our rucking situation! Fire away!
At the moment, his key flaw is his persistent jumping too early. That can, in theory, be trained out of him with a decent ruck coach and continued games.
However, despite being 23 and having been with the club since 2011, he's only played twenty games in his whole career.
There has been talk of recruiting a tough, mature, and experienced ruckman like Minson or Hale to the Suns at the end of the year, but if Nicholls continues uninjured the way he has been, and Brooksby proves his worth at AFL level, then maybe it won't be needed.
I'm hopeful for a Nicholls/Brooksby ruck combo, but I'm not nearly familiar enough to say definitively what potential Brooksby has, and whether he's AFL material. But as for Nicholls, he's getting better and better every game, and for a bloke who hasn't ever completed a season without an injury, he's going very well.
As for Smith - well, I think it's clear that he'll be getting the boot at the end of the year. Gorringe too.
Everyone is invited to share their thoughts and views on our rucking situation! Fire away!