Mega Thread 2026 Media & Miscellaneous Thread

[Purple Jesus]

Saying what a lot of us (at least I am) thinking

Controversial Dockers strategy reaches boiling point: ‘He’s useless’

‘This is now serious. This is at crisis levels.’

7news.com.au

The time to do that was 2-3 years ago.

 

[kuhni]

with 5 on the bench a low TOG heavy ruck is great. Any higher a TOG and he takes too much time away from the other players. You want your 23rd best player to play less not more.

 

[kuhni]

So if only there was a player the same height and weight as Darcy, with good footy smarts, but more durable and athletic around the ground, that was available to us for nothing cause he was already on the list and who has since been shown to be really good in another good team, which would have let us trade Darcy to Geelong for some really good capital a couple of years back? If only the Meek inherited the centre square earth wearing purple instead of poos and wees. But there was too much love for Mr Darcy at the time. Shame.

Meek was nowhere near the player he is, Darcy still semi-fit at that stage, Meek couldnt even touch the ball

 

[theGav56]

Assuming Darcy is on 650k, which is about right how much would Geelong or Tassie pay?

What pick do we get?

At best 500k of the books and a late 2nd round pick.

Can Jackson play in the ruck sll year?

And we'd have a 36 year old on a 1 year remaining deal as back up.

Darcy and Jackson get us to the finals without Jackson getting smashed every game (with Cox as back up)

 

[estibador]

with 5 on the bench a low TOG heavy ruck is great. Any higher a TOG and he takes too much time away from the other players. You want your 23rd best player to play less not more.

Yeah I don't really see the problem tbh. Is Jackson not already our 1st ruck?

He seems to start most (all?) games in the ruck this year and usually does most of the last qtr in there if the game is still on the line

That's how it feels to me anyway. I'd be interested to see the numbers breakdown

 

[Stevooo3940]

I've always been a fan of the Darcy/Jackson combo but I'm starting to turn. Darcy was a gun. He would often go to war with the best rucks and beat them in years gone by. Particularly in 2021, when he won the Doig. Unfortunately, he just isn't that guy anymore. Footy has changed and requires high aerobic capacity and Sean just can't get his fitness to that level. His body continually fails him anytime he gets a decent run at it. We have Mason Cox

18

Mason Cox

Age

35

Ht

211cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.7

2star

K

5.2

2star

HB

3.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.2

4star

D

6.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.3

2star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.8

5star

, who can rest and impact forward when required. Play him and put Darcy on the trade table. We may not get much for him but at least we get his 750K a year off the books and look to use it elsewhere.

People say Jackson can't ruck the whole year but he is maturing every year and will be able to do it. Where we meet good dual rucks, we have cox as backup. We also have Riddel developing. If he can grow and be ready for 2028, then the transition is simple.

Let's do it. Take a risk. Imagine we trade Darcy and bring in some class elsewhere. Enquire about a Nic Martin or a Darcy Wilson to play a wing role. This might sound crazy, but i wouldnt even be against throwing a lifeline to Bailey Williams with the promise of a tandem with Dogga. At least he can move around the ground. His game last week was great!

 

[Taylor]

People say Jackson can't ruck the whole year but he is maturing every year and will be able to do it

Luke isn't getting any taller. You'll notice the longer he is in the ruck that his burst efforts and leap fades over the year because he is undersized, he spends more just to keep up and it costs him.

Jackson is an undersized ruckman, an oversized mid and a key forward.

The hope from the Jackson as a ruck people is that if he plays against a bull of a lump opponent that he would be able to spoil the opponent's hit out and then beat him at ground level but most ruck contests aren't the centre bounce, and he doesn't manage it there every time. He can't wrestle the big guys.

He can wrestle the weedy tall guys who are more baby giraffe than ruck, but even those will fill out and their 205 to 210cm frames will start shoving him aside.

Freo need a big lump ruckman to match it with the big lumps on opposition sides, and if we play both he and Jackson we get to bully the opposition.

I don't have faith in Jackson being a number one ruck against guys significantly bigger and stronger than him.

 

[Stevooo3940]

Respectfully disagree. Jackson is now just 24. Yes, in years gone by, he has struggled against the super big guys, but he is nearing his "man strength" phase and will deal with that a lot better than in years past. Also worth noting is that Brisbane has been one of the best clearance teams for a few years now, and their #1 ruck is Darcy Forte. A weedy, baby giraffe type. Yes, he has 5cm on Dogga, but is also lighter than him (granted, only 1kg), and I would hazard a guess Dogga could pick the 5cm up in his leap and potentially move him off the line through being much more athletic.
We will get the same, if not more, output from Cox right now. People need to be open to continuing to strengthen this list, regardless of whether it means one of our underperforming, former stars is going. His body looks cooked, he potentially has concussion risks, and the game has changed since he was a star. Take the romance away from it and think about what we could add if we got rid of his contract.

 

[GingerDocker]

The way I look at it is like this.

If we had just one game to play, say a GF, I would be all for rucking Dogga solo. He'd have the energy, constitution and stamina to dominate on that given day, without any concern in having to back up again the week after and the week after that.

But when considering this decision over the course of a season, and then, by extension, another 7-8 years, I don't want to see someone with the talent and unique abilities of Jackson, being slowly worn down, game by game, by the giant rucks of the competition.

I want him fresh, agile, hungry and frothing at the mouth to get from contest to contest. If he loses this capacity he becomes just another undersized ruck or average key forward.

The addition of an extra player on the interchange bench is an absolute kiss on the pecker in this regard and we should be exploiting it to the fullest by continuing to play Darcy/Cox and let Dogga be who he is...a unicorn.

 

[Mags98]

I've always been a fan of the Darcy/Jackson combo but I'm starting to turn. Darcy was a gun. He would often go to war with the best rucks and beat them in years gone by. Particularly in 2021, when he won the Doig. Unfortunately, he just isn't that guy anymore. Footy has changed and requires high aerobic capacity and Sean just can't get his fitness to that level. His body continually fails him anytime he gets a decent run at it. We have Mason Cox, who can rest and impact forward when required. Play him and put Darcy on the trade table. We may not get much for him but at least we get his 750K a year off the books and look to use it elsewhere.

People say Jackson can't ruck the whole year but he is maturing every year and will be able to do it. Where we meet good dual rucks, we have cox as backup. We also have Riddel developing. If he can grow and be ready for 2028, then the transition is simple.

Let's do it. Take a risk. Imagine we trade Darcy and bring in some class elsewhere. Enquire about a Nic Martin or a Darcy Wilson to play a wing role. This might sound crazy, but i wouldnt even be against throwing a lifeline to Bailey Williams with the promise of a tandem with Dogga. At least he can move around the ground. His game last week was great!

what do you think we would be getting for Darcy? doubt many teams would be throwing any good picks our way and presumably wed have pay at least a portion of his salary anyway?

trading darcy now does nothing but create a hole wed then have to go fill in anyway, its nonsensical

further whats the point of pigeonholing jackson as just a ruck? we have a set up now that can be flexible and lets us get the best out of our best.

 

[Superkoops]

how is Riddle progressing? Could he be a foil for Jackson long term if Darcy gets moved on?

He’s playing WAFL reserves so would say he is a fair way off. He has shown some promising signs last year and coming back this year after some injury issues in the pre-season.

We need a ruck ready to go for 2028. Cox gone and Darcy likely in and out. I see no reason to offload Darcy. I actually don’t think he is that expensive and played reasonably well in the Richmond and Adelaide games. He isn’t at full fitness and hopefully he gets there over the next 4-5 weeks. He can get a block or running done over the next week or two.

 

[Taylor]

Respectfully disagree. Jackson is now just 24. Yes, in years gone by, he has struggled against the super big guys, but he is nearing his "man strength" phase and will deal with that a lot better than in years past. Also worth noting is that Brisbane has been one of the best clearance teams for a few years now, and their #1 ruck is Darcy Forte. A weedy, baby giraffe type. Yes, he has 5cm on Dogga, but is also lighter than him (granted, only 1kg), and I would hazard a guess Dogga could pick the 5cm up in his leap and potentially move him off the line through being much more athletic.
We will get the same, if not more, output from Cox right now. People need to be open to continuing to strengthen this list, regardless of whether it means one of our underperforming, former stars is going. His body looks cooked, he potentially has concussion risks, and the game has changed since he was a star. Take the romance away from it and think about what we could add if we got rid of his contract.

How much more leap do you think someone needs to get over the reach of a taller player, assuming they can jump too?

There's the 5cm of added shoulder height and then the added wingspan too. Now consider that Jackson has to be more wombat solid to move someone who's bones alone make them harder to shift and his leap will degrade. As will the rough and tumble of the ruck contest, that will wear him out because they'll make sure he is getting corks in his upper legs all day. We haven't even spoken about how hard it is to push upwards to shift a higher centre of gravity when all that opponent needs to do is lean that higher CoG over him.

Jackson looks great against the skinny twigs being played now because sides don't want their key forwards filling in as undersized rucks against Luke Jackson.

It's our weapon that we have two ruckmen that force opposition to play guys who aren't mobile enough or physically developed enough yet else they risk that 20% of the ruck contest where our two turn every centre bounce into a shot on goal - they don't want their primary ruck keeping them competitive and then 4 goals to swing to us when the backup fills in.

If we are playing Jackson and Voss, that goes away. Opposition sides are so worried about Sean Darcy setting up our midfield that the crows played O'Brien in potentially his only game this season. They know that Sean Darcy at a forward fifty stoppage against Thilthorpe (especially with a bad back) is a Bolton/Serong/Brayshaw/Switta/Dudley snap on goal coming. They know Darcy against McAndrew is a clearance to Freo and a deep inside fifty.

 

[GingerDocker]

How much more leap do you think someone needs to get over the reach of a taller player, assuming they can jump too?

There's the 5cm of added shoulder height and then the added wingspan too. Now consider that Jackson has to be more wombat solid to move someone who's bones alone make them harder to shift and his leap will degrade. As will the rough and tumble of the ruck contest, that will wear him out because they'll make sure he is getting corks in his upper legs all day. We haven't even spoken about how hard it is to push upwards to shift a higher centre of gravity when all that opponent needs to do is lean that higher CoG over him.

Jackson looks great against the skinny twigs being played now because sides don't want their key forwards filling in as undersized rucks against Luke Jackson.

It's our weapon that we have two ruckmen that force opposition to play guys who aren't mobile enough or physically developed enough yet else they risk that 20% of the ruck contest where our two turn every centre bounce into a shot on goal - they don't want their primary ruck keeping them competitive and then 4 goals to swing to us when the backup fills in.

If we are playing Jackson and Voss, that goes away. Opposition sides are so worried about Sean Darcy setting up our midfield that the crows played O'Brien in potentially his only game this season. They know that Sean Darcy at a forward fifty stoppage against Thilthorpe (especially with a bad back) is a Bolton/Serong/Brayshaw/Switta/Dudley snap on goal coming. They know Darcy against McAndrew is a clearance to Freo and a deep inside fifty.

Those last two paragraphs are spot on.

When in doubt, do what your opposition doesn't want you to do.

 

[Stevooo3940]

what do you think we would be getting for Darcy? doubt many teams would be throwing any good picks our way and presumably wed have pay at least a portion of his salary anyway?

trading darcy now does nothing but create a hole wed then have to go fill in anyway, its nonsensical

further whats the point of pigeonholing jackson as just a ruck? we have a set up now that can be flexible and lets us get the best out of our best.

It's not about the picks, man. He is on 750k a year. Shedding that contract is perfect, considering we are likely approaching a salary cap squeeze. His output is very minimal. Cox can provide the same for the next 2 years at half the price. And he is a genuine forward threat if and when required.
Also, where else do you propose playing Jackson? Regardless of what people wish he was, he is not an effective midfielder. He is surplus to requirements up forward as we have Treacy, Amiss and Voss. The only benefit of having him play wing would be for a get-out kick, but let's be honest, the one thing he isn't that great at is overhead marking. He's a Ruckman. Yes, undersized, but his other ruck attributes outweigh his size. The fact is, winning the tap usually isn't even that important, Hawthorn showed that in 2013 when we had Sandi. Having a 5th mid is way more beneficial. Rip off the band-aid and pop him on the trade block. Cop a 3rd rounder back and invest the money elsewhere.

 

[Stevooo3940]

How much more leap do you think someone needs to get over the reach of a taller player, assuming they can jump too?

There's the 5cm of added shoulder height and then the added wingspan too. Now consider that Jackson has to be more wombat solid to move someone who's bones alone make them harder to shift and his leap will degrade. As will the rough and tumble of the ruck contest, that will wear him out because they'll make sure he is getting corks in his upper legs all day. We haven't even spoken about how hard it is to push upwards to shift a higher centre of gravity when all that opponent needs to do is lean that higher CoG over him.

Jackson looks great against the skinny twigs being played now because sides don't want their key forwards filling in as undersized rucks against Luke Jackson.

It's our weapon that we have two ruckmen that force opposition to play guys who aren't mobile enough or physically developed enough yet else they risk that 20% of the ruck contest where our two turn every centre bounce into a shot on goal - they don't want their primary ruck keeping them competitive and then 4 goals to swing to us when the backup fills in.

If we are playing Jackson and Voss, that goes away. Opposition sides are so worried about Sean Darcy setting up our midfield that the crows played O'Brien in potentially his only game this season. They know that Sean Darcy at a forward fifty stoppage against Thilthorpe (especially with a bad back) is a Bolton/Serong/Brayshaw/Switta/Dudley snap on goal coming. They know Darcy against McAndrew is a clearance to Freo and a deep inside fifty.

I'd suggest Mason Cox would do similar against part time rucks.

Also, i thin you might be overthinking it a little with the second paragraph. The bloke is a 200 cm, 100kg professional footballer. i would hazard a guess that he isn't that worried about corkies or other tall guys. With his leap, he is more likely to be the one dishing out the corkies anyhow and once the ball hits the ground, it's 5 v 4. Positives outweigh the negatives.

It seems you guys are more conservative than JL

 

[Taylor]

I'd suggest Mason Cox would do similar against part time rucks.

Also, i thin you might be overthinking it a little with the second paragraph. The bloke is a 200 cm, 100kg professional footballer. i would hazard a guess that he isn't that worried about corkies or other tall guys. With his leap, he is more likely to be the one dishing out the corkies anyhow and once the ball hits the ground, it's 5 v 4. Positives outweigh the negatives.

It seems you guys are more conservative than JL

Jackson is already being targeted near and off the ball with hits to his legs and back, it's been going on for weeks.

It doesn't take any talent to jump with a knee into our undersized ruckman when he's standing under a high ball down the line, every team around our level will "make him earn it".

He will get bashed around and be flat against the big strong rucks when he comes up against one. Matt Flynn isn't a ruckman I rate, but he's plenty big to move Jackson aside and it doesn't matter what his ground ball game is like when it's gone straight to the opposition rover and being run away.

As far as conservative options go, I want Jackson in the midfield, not in the ruck. Huge body at the drop of the ball protecting space.

Just like we did against Gold Coast when they brought in Witts and Moyle. 209cm and 206cm brutes.

 

[Mags98]

It's not about the picks, man. He is on 750k a year. Shedding that contract is perfect, considering we are likely approaching a salary cap squeeze. His output is very minimal. Cox can provide the same for the next 2 years at half the price. And he is a genuine forward threat if and when required.
Also, where else do you propose playing Jackson? Regardless of what people wish he was, he is not an effective midfielder. He is surplus to requirements up forward as we have Treacy, Amiss and Voss. The only benefit of having him play wing would be for a get-out kick, but let's be honest, the one thing he isn't that great at is overhead marking. He's a Ruckman. Yes, undersized, but his other ruck attributes outweigh his size. The fact is, winning the tap usually isn't even that important, Hawthorn showed that in 2013 when we had Sandi. Having a 5th mid is way more beneficial. Rip off the band-aid and pop him on the trade block. Cop a 3rd rounder back and invest the money elsewhere.

per the tradies podcast (and my memory) theres about 60 players on 1m+ this season, seans contract isnt as big as its perceived to be in todays cap.

how do we benefit from ditching a clear best 23 player? to me theres no benefit, youre no relying on a 35+ ruckman to back up LJ and then who? youre also casting out a valued and respected to senior player, i struggle to see how the club gains any advantage from this

 

[Alfonz]

It's not about the picks, man. He is on 750k a year. Shedding that contract is perfect, considering we are likely approaching a salary cap squeeze. His output is very minimal. Cox can provide the same for the next 2 years at half the price. And he is a genuine forward threat if and when required.
Also, where else do you propose playing Jackson? Regardless of what people wish he was, he is not an effective midfielder. He is surplus to requirements up forward as we have Treacy, Amiss and Voss. The only benefit of having him play wing would be for a get-out kick, but let's be honest, the one thing he isn't that great at is overhead marking. He's a Ruckman. Yes, undersized, but his other ruck attributes outweigh his size. The fact is, winning the tap usually isn't even that important, Hawthorn showed that in 2013 when we had Sandi. Having a 5th mid is way more beneficial. Rip off the band-aid and pop him on the trade block. Cop a 3rd rounder back and invest the money elsewhere.

We wouldn't be able to simply shed his contract. Nobody will take him unless we are paying a large chunk (e.g. half). At that stage it starts to be pointless for us to do it. We still have to fill the list spot with someone else and pay them. Maybe there's a tiny bit of savings if we replace him with someone useless on minimum wages, but I don't see it being worth it.

Don't forget that everybody loves Darcy, so he's a good one to have in the locker room. Look at how they got around him when he kicked that goal the other week. Perhaps our most valuable asset is Treacy, and Darcy took him under his wing as another big country Vic lad, and keeping Darcy is good for keeping Treacy happy. I'm not saying you should be paying someone $600k or $700k just to be a good bloke, but he's already here and there isn't much financial benefit to moving him on.

I don't really see the debate should be about shipping Darcy off. It's whether we should have him playing AFL or WAFL.

 

[BarbieITFC]

I feel really sorry for Darcy and similar types of Rucks. Overnight their biggest advantage has been stripped from them and the position is being totally redefined.

One thing we can't forget in the whole trade Darcy debate - is his importance to the team culture. 4-5 years ago there was a BS Haggers story that he was seeking a trade back over east and it's reported he was ropable when he read it. It was Darcy and Cox (of the bald variety) who were the first to sign long terms deals and commit to club, and apparently he is one of the most popular players in the squad.

I'm glad we have options of using Jackson solo, Jackson/Cox or Jackson/Voss - because I'd like us to get Darcy cherry ripe before we throw him back. I still believe he can be an asset, but we just can't afford to have an underdone Darcy on the ground.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

I've always been a fan of the Darcy/Jackson combo but I'm starting to turn. Darcy was a gun. He would often go to war with the best rucks and beat them in years gone by. Particularly in 2021, when he won the Doig. Unfortunately, he just isn't that guy anymore. Footy has changed and requires high aerobic capacity and Sean just can't get his fitness to that level. His body continually fails him anytime he gets a decent run at it. We have Mason Cox , who can rest and impact forward when required. Play him and put Darcy on the trade table. We may not get much for him but at least we get his 750K a year off the books and look to use it elsewhere.

I think Darcy's list spot is an inefficiency. But you're also overestimating how much we'd save from trading him.

Assuming he's on around 750k for 2027 and beyond (that was about the reporting last year, but fwiw the reporting on Bolton is that his deal is front-ended, maybe we've done that with others like Darcy too) - there's no world we trade Darcy without getting a replacement in. Especially with the 5 on the bench, a 36 year old Mason Cox by 2027 can't be your only other option. I think we'd want to get someone decent - like at least a Moyle level.

So if Darcy's on 750k for the rest of his contract and if you can get a team to take the whole of that off the books (2 significant ifs imo), I think we'll save 200-300k a season. That's not insignificant, but it's not a game changer. Let alone if 1 of those ifs don't come to fruition.

 

[Docker82]

He’s playing WAFL reserves so would say he is a fair way off. He has shown some promising signs last year and coming back this year after some injury issues in the pre-season.

We need a ruck ready to go for 2028. Cox gone and Darcy likely in and out. I see no reason to offload Darcy. I actually don’t think he is that expensive and played reasonably well in the Richmond and Adelaide games. He isn’t at full fitness and hopefully he gets there over the next 4-5 weeks. He can get a block or running done over the next week or two.

Think it's important to recognise our overall availability as a list and that Riddle is just returning from injury when considering how Riddle is going.

Looked like Riddle was comfortable at WAFL level last off season tbh.

 

[Stevooo3940]

The fact that if we put a 27-year-old ruck that has won a BNF up for trade and the general consensus is we would have to pay half his salary to get rid of him, kind of says it all, doesn't it? Cox can deliver what he is with relative ease for the next 2 years. I'd be willing to take a punt on that, and either hope that Riddle comes good (I liked what he showed last year), or if that's no good, try to secure a second banana from around the league.
I don't subscribe to these claims that he gets all these deliberate knees to slow him down. I think he just gets general wear and tear, like any other player on the field. It's footy. A contact sport. He is getting older, stronger and more used to the rigours of playing full time afl ruck. He's 24, by the time Cox is finished his contract, Dogga will be 26 and at the peak of his powers.
As for the monetary gain of shedding the Darcy contract, let's go after someone good. We clearly have some cap left, so to top that money up with another 750K could nab us a game changer. Someone who actually impacts and contributes. U love Swaggy as much as the next bloke, but if we are going to be romanced into keeping pretty decently paid players on the list because they used to be good, then I can tell you now, get used to achieving the same as we have in our existence to date. Its a brutal sport and sometimes unfair, but I think his mates on the list would be able to see his body is failing him.

 

[Superkoops]

Think it's important to recognise our overall availability as a list and that Riddle is just returning from injury when considering how Riddle is going.

Looked like Riddle was comfortable at WAFL level last off season tbh.

Agreed. The other poster made a good summary that he is more like Jackson if anything, except below his knees this is what has enabled Jackson to play midfield. Riddle is forward/ruck.

We need another 205cm plus ruck ready to play 2028 when Cox is very likely gone.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

It's not about the picks, man. He is on 750k a year. Shedding that contract is perfect, considering we are likely approaching a salary cap squeeze. His output is very minimal. Cox can provide the same for the next 2 years at half the price. And he is a genuine forward threat if and when required.
Also, where else do you propose playing Jackson? Regardless of what people wish he was, he is not an effective midfielder. He is surplus to requirements up forward as we have Treacy, Amiss and Voss. The only benefit of having him play wing would be for a get-out kick, but let's be honest, the one thing he isn't that great at is overhead marking. He's a Ruckman. Yes, undersized, but his other ruck attributes outweigh his size. The fact is, winning the tap usually isn't even that important, Hawthorn showed that in 2013 when we had Sandi. Having a 5th mid is way more beneficial. Rip off the band-aid and pop him on the trade block. Cop a 3rd rounder back and invest the money elsewhere.

I have been pro "look to trade Darcy" previously and I am fully on board with Jackson being a ruck 1st, unicorn second however the rule changes this year have thrown that out from what coaches are doing. The ruck rules have completely change the game:
1) It feels more important than ever to be strong out of centre clearances - or at least not lose them. The rules have helped tap ruckman to the point Pies pushed out their F&B winner for large parts of the game. You play an undersized battler at your peril and risk letting teams get a run on out of the centre.
2) Clearly, every team is playing two rucks if they have them. It is seen as a universal advantage as it stands and coaches are on record saying it's hard to get runners into the 5th bench spot without extra interchange numbers. Teams are even playing players (ROB) against us that arent playing other games in order to compete against our combo. We clearly have a structural advantage having two good rucks out there.

Darcy has been pretty influential in limited minutes bar the first game where it looked like he could hardly move. In the new CBA, for what he does and is used for, we are overpaying by what, 300k? If the rules continue, I expect any half decent ruck sitting reserve level is going to be highly sought after. There's no guarantee we can find anyone decent to replace both Cox and Darcy within two years.

 

[Docker82]

Agreed. The other poster made a good summary that he is more like Jackson if anything, except below his knees this is what has enabled Jackson to play midfield. Riddle is forward/ruck.

We need another 205cm plus ruck ready to play 2028 when Cox is very likely gone.

Unfortunately guys that meet that description and are both good enough to make a contribution and not good enough to have many other options don't grow on trees.

Don't think we're getting a back up ruck to move across the country to play at Peel unless they basically won't be offered a contract at their current club.

We're probably stuck with finding the next delisted 30+ year old ruck that's any good and wants to still play AFL (most years that's no one) and developing our own from 18/19 years old.