- Sep 17, 2012
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- St Kilda
The author of this piece chose some weird arse similes to make their point
Extinct or flourishing: Which ruckmen will survive the AFL’s new rules?
Clubs are going to spend many hours over pre-season working out how to best use their ruckmen under the new ruck rules. They will cause some sleepless nights for some of the game’s best big men.www.theage.com.au
We asked six recruiters, ruck coaches and assistant coaches from across the competition, who wanted to speak anonymously so they could speak freely about the potential impact of the rule changes on ruckman.
There is unanimous agreement that each rule change suits St Kilda recruit De Koning.
He is an athletic tall with an outstanding leap at centre bounces. By no means the finished product, he will, however, be able to play football like a jockey rides the best horse in a race.
Melbourne champion Gawn had already predicted De Koning would be the next ruck star on the horizon and his ascension to that mantle should be celebrated as the AFL encourages a return to the spectacular leap after fearing its extinction.
Not only will the ruckman need to jump or stifle their opponent’s elevation at centre bounces, they will need to cover the ground like a midfielder to stay as involved in the game. Umpires will throw the ball up immediately around the ground rather than waiting for nominations like a waiter arriving at a table with three different parmas.
The challenge will be getting into position behind the ball, particularly with last touch. Those teams who have used their ruckman to bolster their defence can’t also expect that player to always be at stoppages. It’s why, one assistant said, the Western Bulldogs with Tim English, Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb in all parts of the ground could gain an advantage via the new rules. It may explain why St Kilda retained Rowan Marshall, despite his trade request.
The game is becoming so fast that a tired, lumbering ruckman will be hard-pressed to execute their skills if pushed too hard, said one coach. So two ruckmen or one ruckman with a different role will be the way forward.
