Prediction 2018 Buddy Expectations

[go_the_dockers]

Link to previous thread. Worth a read.
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2017-buddy-expectations.1156015/

Format -
Buddy Name
A Grade - Well beyond expectations
B Grade - Above expectations
C Grade - Average expectations
D Grade - Shocking year, has done a Sylvia

 

[DaveLister]

Lloyd Meek
A Grade - 5+ AFL games at least 1 as 1st ruck, hits targets by foot consistently including the goals
B Grade - Senior debut as second ruck, not a liability when in the forward line
C Grade - Plays more than half the year as the 1st ruck at Peel, kicking and athleticism are stand out and his marking and aggression improve
D Grade - Stuck in the Peel reserves, doesn't get a shot as Peel's 1st ruck

 

[theGav56]

Lloyd Meek
A Grade - 5+ AFL games at least 1 as 1st ruck, hits targets by foot consistently including the goals
B Grade - Senior debut as second ruck, not a liability when in the forward line
C Grade - Plays more than half the year as the 1st ruck at Peel, kicking and athleticism are stand out and his marking and aggression improve
D Grade - Stuck in the Peel reserves, doesn't get a shot as Peel's 1st ruck

How do you rate;

• his capacity to become a highly productive #1 ruck?
• the likelihood that the club pair Darcy and Meek in a best 22 at AFL level?
• his capacity to be a scoring/marking threat up forward?

 

[DaveLister]

How do you rate;

• his capacity to become a highly productive #1 ruck?
• the likelihood that the club pair Darcy and Meek in a best 22 at AFL level?
• his capacity to be a scoring/marking threat up forward?

• Fairly highly but probably not at a club that already has Sean Darcy. He's a different ruckman to Darcy, not as dominant as a tap ruckman or contested player but his link play is very good. Darcy will be our #1 ruck and don't see Meek surpassing him because Darcy's traits are unreal for being a primary ruckman. That said Meek's agility, kicking and decision making are all very good for a ruckman, and these traits that make him our best shot as 2nd ruck.
• With the way the game is currently being played and is heading, playing 2 genuine ruckmen looks to be an obsolete option, regardless of how complementary their skills are. For the 2 to play together in a best 22 of a good team Meek would have to become a genuine forward threat, ala Lobb or Ben Brown.
• Decent, Meek's marking is pretty good but it's all been against 18 year olds as a 202cm 105kg 19 year old so it's hard to properly gauge, I'd say there is room for improvement. His kicking and agility definitely make him a scoring and score assist threat. If his marking and aggression improve then he's in with a good shot

 

[Granny Val]

How do you rate;

• his capacity to become a highly productive #1 ruck?
• the likelihood that the club pair Darcy and Meek in a best 22 at AFL level?
• his capacity to be a scoring/marking threat up forward?

I would like to hijack thegav56's post for Meek, for my buddy, Scott Jones who will perhaps perform in the ruck this year. I consider him to be similar to Meek but with a bit more experience from playing at East Perth. I would like to use the same criteria. Hope you don't mind, Gav, but I thought yours were pretty good.

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[theGav56]

• Fairly highly but probably not at a club that already has Sean Darcy. He's a different ruckman to Darcy, not as dominant as a tap ruckman or contested player but his link play is very good. Darcy will be our #1 ruck and don't see Meek surpassing him because Darcy's traits are unreal for being a primary ruckman. That said Meek's agility, kicking and decision making are all very good for a ruckman, and these traits that make him our best shot as 2nd ruck.
• With the way the game is currently being played and is heading, playing 2 genuine ruckmen looks to be an obsolete option, regardless of how complementary their skills are. For the 2 to play together in a best 22 of a good team Meek would have to become a genuine forward threat, ala Lobb or Ben Brown.
• Decent, Meek's marking is pretty good but it's all been against 18 year olds as a 202cm 105kg 19 year old so it's hard to properly gauge, I'd say there is room for improvement. His kicking and agility definitely make him a scoring and score assist threat. If his marking and aggression improve then he's in with a good shot

I am swimming against the tide and live in hope that teams may still be able to work with two mobile and multi-skilled rucks, and use it to their advantage. Darcy and Meek have the potential to become this from what I have seen and read. Darcy being a lefty helps a fair bit. But the reality is they both appear to be capable of a decent contested mark, and enjoy the contest. Second, they are both decent kicks. Mobility may be the stumbling block, but we have seen Darcy take some pretty decent steps in that regard, and you list his agility as a strength.