Rumour 2024 Rumours and Speculation Part 3

[Mutineer]

Can he ruck?

I dunno but he does have a prodigious leap, however kicking isn't too flash and that's being kind.

 

[Amacca 23]

Until we trade him and you change your opinion to the club are experts and you support it

Im not like you i have stated i DONT want this spud id rather henry smith or goad



On SM-G996B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[baldandbroke]

Problem is it looks like we are going to pay a B Grader an A grader wage because we’ve backed ourselves into a corner because we haven’t used one list spot on a developing ruck.

Now how many list spots are taken up by forwards, defenders and mids and how many don’t make it? Quite a few but we don’t stop drafting them and wasted years in development on them too.

One list spot on a developing ruck isn’t going to **** your list and it’s what every other club has or had who have now developed into their lead ruck.

A-Grade ruckman are going to cost a lot because there just aren’t many in the market. I don’t think $750k is A-grade cost.

Why Blues are confident star ruck will stay amid rival interest

The Blues believe they will be able to retain Tom De Koning amid rival interest

www.afl.com.au

Having one developing ruckman doesn’t ensure you are going to end up with even a B-Grader. Buying a B-grader via trade does.

And yes, we have failed defenders and forwards and mids on our list - be we don’t need every one of those to work out. Carrying a lesser defender amongst 7 isn’t the same as having a ruck that can’t hold their own.

I’m not saying that taking the other route wouldn’t possibly result in us having a better ruckman in the end - it’s just that we are already on this path and changing to the alternative will take a number of years to come to fruition, if it works out for us at all.

I’d rather we do something that doesn’t delay our ascension while we have such great talent in other lines right now. IMO, these are more important to our success than any of the ruck changes we’ll make.

Having a solid option in ruck - by trading in a B-grader - is fine by me.

 

[George CantStandYa]

A-Grade ruckman are going to cost a lot because there just aren’t many in the market. I don’t think $750k is A-grade cost.

Why Blues are confident star ruck will stay amid rival interest

The Blues believe they will be able to retain Tom De Koning amid rival interest

www.afl.com.au

Having one developing ruckman doesn’t ensure you are going to end up with even a B-Grader. Buying a B-grader via trade does.

And yes, we have failed defenders and forwards and mids on our list - be we don’t need every one of those to work out. Carrying a lesser defender amongst 7 isn’t the same as having a ruck that can’t hold their own.

I’m not saying that taking the other route wouldn’t possibly result in us having a better ruckman in the end - it’s just that we are already on this path and changing to the alternative will take a number of years to come to fruition, if it works out for us at all.

I’d rather we do something that doesn’t delay our ascension while we have such great talent in other lines right now. IMO, these are more important to our success than any of the ruck changes we’ll make.

Having a solid option in ruck - by trading in a B-grader - is fine by me.

I don’t get the “we don’t need every one of those to work out”. They are still failed list spots. One developing ruck on your list is only one failed list spot as opposed to the numerous other failed list spots.

If the developing ruck doesn’t look like making it, fine cut him, just like you do with the other players you cut. Then draft another one like you do with the rest of the list.

We can’t do this now as we are stuck with needing to replace ROB and Strachan. But nothing stopping us bringing in this B grader and drafting a developing ruck.

 

[Cromulant]

Oh dear.....

 

[Scorpus]

Doesn’t seem to fill a position we need.

Our interest makes no sense, it would be a depth recruit only

I could definitely understand why he wants to play here

 

[Mutineer]

A-Grade ruckman are going to cost a lot because there just aren’t many in the market. I don’t think $750k is A-grade cost.

Why Blues are confident star ruck will stay amid rival interest

The Blues believe they will be able to retain Tom De Koning amid rival interest

www.afl.com.au

Having one developing ruckman doesn’t ensure you are going to end up with even a B-Grader. Buying a B-grader via trade does.

And yes, we have failed defenders and forwards and mids on our list - be we don’t need every one of those to work out. Carrying a lesser defender amongst 7 isn’t the same as having a ruck that can’t hold their own.

I’m not saying that taking the other route wouldn’t possibly result in us having a better ruckman in the end - it’s just that we are already on this path and changing to the alternative will take a number of years to come to fruition, if it works out for us at all.

I’d rather we do something that doesn’t delay our ascension while we have such great talent in other lines right now. IMO, these are more important to our success than any of the ruck changes we’ll make.

Having a solid option in ruck - by trading in a B-grader - is fine by me.

Define B grade rucks from current AFL lists you think would be gettable?

I put up a list of rucks a while back that are out of contract at the end of 2025 and it was very very slim pickings.

Max Knobel given his age looks about the best suited if we can get ROB to go another year and that's if the Suns don't offer him an extension after pinching from Freo who were about to re-rookie him?

Dante Visentini age wise would be a very decent get and ready to go but can't see Port letting him go given their investment in him to now. Saints Max Heath maybe but to now he's been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level. good athlete though.


Outside of that the Hawks Max Ramsden would suit us given his age and excellent athleticism but even he has to now been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level, probably due to the Hawks also having 210cm Ruck Ned Reeves on their list who doesn't excite me at all given he's very average athletically. Both contracted to 2026 however.

 

[Amacca 23]

Define B grade rucks from current AFL lists you think would be gettable?

I put up a list of rucks a while back that are out of contract at the end of 2025 and it was very very slin pickings.

Max Knobel given his age looks about the best suited if we can get ROB to go another year and that's if the Suns don't offer him an extension after pinching from Freo who were about to re-rookie him?

Dante Visentini age wise would be a very decent get and ready to go but can't see Port letting him go given their investment in him to now.Max Heath maybe but to now he's been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level.


Outside of that the Hawks Max Ramsden would suit us given his age and excellent athleticism but even he has to now been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level, probably due to the Hawks also having 210cm Ruck Ned Reeves on their list who doesn't excite me at all given he's very average athletically. Both contracted to 2026 however.

Goad and smith , smith is 22 100kg and 200cm originally from wwt

On SM-G996B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Mutineer]

Goad and smith , smith is 22 100kg and 200cm originally from wwt

On SM-G996B using BigFooty.com mobile app

Neither are lead rucks at this point in time and unlikely to be ready in 2026 if ROB and Strachan both leave or get delisted.

They'd be fine as developing rucks but they are still in the development stage, our needs are more immediate.

And neither are coming cheap both under contract until the end of 2026.

No way are Brisbane letting Henry Smith go without wanting a premium pick given the age of Oscar McInerny 33 in 2026 and Darcy Fort 33 in 2026.

 

[Amacca 23]

Neither are lead rucks at this point in time and unlikely to be ready in 2026 if ROB and Strachan both leave or get delisted.

They'd be fine but they are still in the development stage.

And neither are coming cheap both under contract until the end of 2026.

No way are Brisbane letting Henry Smith go without wanting a premium pick given the age of Oscar McInerny 33 in 2026 and Darcy Fort 33 in 2026.

I guess it depends on if smith gets games this year or impatient and asks to be traded for better opportunuties, yes it may cost a bit but if we wait till end of 26 and he comes on it will cost alot more

On SM-G996B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[George CantStandYa]

Oh dear.....

What have I missed

 

[Mostyn]

Neither are lead rucks at this point in time and unlikely to be ready in 2026 if ROB and Strachan both leave or get delisted.

They'd be fine as developing rucks but they are still in the development stage, our needs are more immediate.

And neither are coming cheap both under contract until the end of 2026.

No way are Brisbane letting Henry Smith go without wanting a premium pick given the age of Oscar McInerny 33 in 2026 and Darcy Fort 33 in 2026.

That's probably true about Henry Smith, but there will be players across the league who feel they're ready to be a first ruck and want opportunities, but they have someone in front of them and a club that can only play one at a time.

There more than 100 players 200cm+ in the AFL, so I feel there will be a couple of those looking for opportunity, whether they're contracted or not.

 

[Mutineer]

That's probably true about Henry Smith, but there will be players across the league who feel they're ready to be a first ruck and want opportunities, but they have someone in front of them and a club that can only play one at a time.

There more than 100 players 200cm+ in the AFL, so I feel there will be a couple of those looking for opportunity, whether they're contracted or not.

Names of players you regard as B graders that may be available bearing in mind the age/experience of the lead rucks they are behind at this point? Not a whole lot that would interest me and I've been through them pretty thoroughly.

200cm+ does not make you a ruckman and certainly not the Adelaide Crows lead ruck in 2026 btw.

 

[ams4crows]

Our interest makes no sense, it would be a depth recruit only

I could definitely understand why he wants to play here

We realistically have 5 KPD types on the list in Murray Keane Butts Borlase and Worrell technically, it's the area of the ground I feel we are the most solid in so we don't need Leek.


NWM is absolutely a need we do not have an elite half back flanker, Smith was once this but age has caught up to him and we haven't found an adequate replacement yet. I would happily give two firsts for him.

 

[Peter Doherty]

Power will come sniffing for Aleer, Aliir is 31 this year.

 

[ams4crows]

Power will come sniffing for Aleer, Aliir is 31 this year.

And so they should, KPD is a massive issue for them

 

[baldandbroke]

Define B grade rucks from current AFL lists you think would be gettable?

I put up a list of rucks a while back that are out of contract at the end of 2025 and it was very very slim pickings.

Max Knobel given his age looks about the best suited if we can get ROB to go another year and that's if the Suns don't offer him an extension after pinching from Freo who were about to re-rookie him?

Dante Visentini age wise would be a very decent get and ready to go but can't see Port letting him go given their investment in him to now. Saints Max Heath maybe but to now he's been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level. good athlete though.


Outside of that the Hawks Max Ramsden would suit us given his age and excellent athleticism but even he has to now been more a Forward/Ruck than a lead ruck at VFL level, probably due to the Hawks also having 210cm Ruck Ned Reeves on their list who doesn't excite me at all given he's very average athletically. Both contracted to 2026 however.

Honestly don't know who Bicks ... the only one that has been realistically spoken about in here is Draper. You'd be a much better judge than any of us on who is out there and might be gettable, hell I don't even know all of the names you listed in your post!!

My thoughts are that we seem to struggle to get anyone of any note that isn't "returning to SA" - so as we haven't drafted any young rucks to develop ourselves, we will need to trade in someone for above-$ or get the next best option of an SA player that is above the line performance wise.

I'll take a serviceable ruck at a reasonable cost right now over the other choice. If that means Draper, then ok. I think he has enough tools to be more than capable of being our #1 ruckman. I think the price of around $750k is just what it costs. If someone else jumps up with more to offer at that similar price, again - all for it.

What I don't think makes sense is going the other way and trying to develop a draftee to be our #1 ruck at this phase of our team cycle. We missed that boat - and I understand why we made that choice.

I also don't think that buying our way out with multi-million dollar ruckman is worth it either.

 

[Mutineer]

Honestly don't know who Bicks ... the only one that has been realistically spoken about in here is Draper. You'd be a much better judge than any of us on who is out there and might be gettable, hell I don't even know all of the names you listed in your post!!

My thoughts are that we seem to struggle to get anyone of any note that isn't "returning to SA" - so as we haven't drafted any young rucks to develop ourselves, we will need to trade in someone for above-$ or get the next best option of an SA player that is above the line performance wise.

I'll take a serviceable ruck at a reasonable cost right now over the other choice. If that means Draper, then ok. I think he has enough tools to be more than capable of being our #1 ruckman. I think the price of around $750k is just what it costs. If someone else jumps up with more to offer at that similar price, again - all for it.

What I don't think makes sense is going the other way and trying to develop a draftee to be our #1 ruck at this phase of our team cycle. We missed that boat - and I understand why we made that choice.

I also don't think that buying our way out with multi-million dollar ruckman is worth it either.

$750K you can be sure Essendon match because that isn't getting them the compensation they will want for their No.1 ruck remembering Draper is a RFA not a UFA.

For the like of me I cannot see why we made the choice to not have a young developing ruck coming up behind ROB, especially given there's been some pretty decent cheap draft options in recent years.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Who are ROB's suitors?

 

[Coopers]

Who are ROB's suitors?

Knightsman on the parade are pretty good

 

[Mutineer]

Who are ROB's suitors?

Doesn't really matter ROB's an UFA so can walk to whoever he likes and we get AFL compo comensurate with his salary/contract term....or he retires to take up his career and we get nought? My gut feel is we'll re-contract him if he's willing unless we lure someone else.

 

[Mostyn]

$750K you can be sure Essendon match because that isn't getting them the compensation they will want for their No.1 ruck remembering Draper is a RFA not a UFA.

For the like of me I cannot see why we made the choice to not have a young developing ruck coming up behind ROB, especially given there's been some pretty decent cheap draft options in recent years.

Those young developing rucks we would have possibly taken - wouldn't a few now be available?

Off the top of my head - Barnett, Verrall, Goad - even Dodson could potentially demand a trade?

Rucks that have been about the place - Madden, Heath, Knobel, Reeves, Ladhams, Bryan, Conway, Visintini, Reidy

I think there will be a few managers knocking in our door, with clients who like the opportunity we can offer and the cash at our disposal. Contracted or not - we all know contracts don't mean much.

 

[Mutineer]

Those young developing rucks we would have possibly taken - wouldn't a few now be available?

Off the top of my head - Barnett, Verrall, Goad - even Dodson could potentially demand a trade?

Rucks that have been about the place - Madden, Heath, Knobel, Reeves, Ladhams, Bryan, Conway, Visintini, Reidy

I think there will be a few managers knocking in our door, with clients who like the opportunity we can offer and the cash at our disposal. Contracted or not - we all know contracts don't mean much.

We shouldn't have allowed it to get to this point...end of story.

Spin it anyway you want it's poor list management by the club.The only one of those you've named I'd be confident about as a future long term lead ruck would be Dante Visentini, the rest are more back up than lead rucks.

Conway would be an option but it would be fraught with danger given his ongoing history of foot issues

Our needs are immediate.

You think Barnett, Verrall, Goad or Dodson will be ready to lead an AFL ruck in 2026?

I highly doubt it especially given Barnett is being groomed as a KPD this season, that would indicate the WCE don't see him as an AFL lead ruck?

 

[Coopers]

Maybe we get Mumford out of retirement for a couple of stopgap years.

Happened a few times so far, reckon we'd be a shot.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Those young developing rucks we would have possibly taken - wouldn't a few now be available?

Off the top of my head - Barnett, Verrall, Goad - even Dodson could potentially demand a trade?

Rucks that have been about the place - Madden, Heath, Knobel, Reeves, Ladhams, Bryan, Conway, Visintini, Reidy

I think there will be a few managers knocking in our door, with clients who like the opportunity we can offer and the cash at our disposal. Contracted or not - we all know contracts don't mean much.

We have found plenty of bargain ruckmen over the years.

The issue is we didn't even try last trade/draft period, despite anyone with half a clue knowing it is a need.

Now we head into this season with our biggest risk of losing ROB for a significant period of time & having no decent backup.

It's even worse with Himmelberg leaving & Thilthorpe returning from injury. Toby Murray isn't ready.

It's very concerning we could have our season derailed on 1 player not being available.

I don't understand why you exert so much energy defending the club's suspect decision making.