Mega Thread 2026 Media & Miscellaneous Thread

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

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.

On this - have the new ruck rules (or, maybe more accurately, teams' reactions to the new ruck rules) killed the viability of the undersized key fwd playing ruck? Apart from the stoppage on the wing when Darcy came off which Johnno rucked, Jackson rucked literally every single ruck contest. In years past, it would've been JT or (once he outgrew that role) Voss taking at least spot minutes.

 

[Mags98]

On this - have the new ruck rules (or, maybe more accurately, teams' reactions to the new ruck rules) killed the viability of the undersized key fwd playing ruck? Apart from the stoppage on the wing when Darcy came off which Johnno rucked, Jackson rucked literally every single ruck contest. In years past, it would've been JT or (once he outgrew that role) Voss taking at least spot minutes.

seems like most clubs have moved away from using their best forwards as rucks as theyve done in the past. crows with TT, dogs with darcy, us with JT

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

On this - have the new ruck rules (or, maybe more accurately, teams' reactions to the new ruck rules) killed the viability of the undersized key fwd playing ruck? Apart from the stoppage on the wing when Darcy came off which Johnno rucked, Jackson rucked literally every single ruck contest. In years past, it would've been JT or (once he outgrew that role) Voss taking at least spot minutes.

Feels like it's been a perfect storm of making sure you are as competitive as possible out of clearance. Playing someone drastically outmatched can lead to a pile on

 

[GingerDocker]

Feels like it's been a perfect storm of making sure you are as competitive as possible out of clearance. Playing someone drastically outmatched can lead to a pile on

West Coast are a living, breathing example of this.

 

[go_the_dockers]

On this - have the new ruck rules (or, maybe more accurately, teams' reactions to the new ruck rules) killed the viability of the undersized key fwd playing ruck? Apart from the stoppage on the wing when Darcy came off which Johnno rucked, Jackson rucked literally every single ruck contest. In years past, it would've been JT or (once he outgrew that role) Voss taking at least spot minutes.

The extra bench player has had a big impact as well.

You can now afford to have two rucks who only ruck and it is doesn't impact rotations.

 

[Stevooo3940]

Lets hope that continues on Sunday.

 

[Big Animal]

West Coast are a living, mouth breathing example of this.

efa

 

[theGav56]

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.

My problem with the solo ruckman is this:

If I was the opposition coach that position appears as a strength in the opposition's favour. But it is also a potentially fatal weakness, especially during finals.

Play 2 rucks in response. One a real bruiser who is going to do everything they can to injure, weaken or tire out the solo ruck. I'd use them in the ruck early in the game with the instructions to be as dirty as possible. As a team I would force as many ball ups as possible with the aim of wearing down the solo ruck.

The second ruck would be more nimble. I'd switch gears to the second ruck late in the first two quarters for a burst. I'd play a more run and stun game plan based around fast ball movement. And this second ruck would aim to drag his opponent around the ground as much as possible.

After half time the second ruck would be getting more and more game time.

Now I'm obviously not worthy to tie any AFL coach's boot straps, and I'm sure they wouldn't be wanting the advice of a footballing simpleton. But I'm also pretty sure they'd be smashing Jackson every which way possible.

 

[Stevooo3940]

But we have cox. He’s 207cm tall and a veteran. Who ever said go with 1 ruck? Also, there’s always a chance cox is travelling really well at the end of his contract and we give him another year so we can win our third flag in a row!

Imagine trade Darcy, grab Neale and send young to half back. All of a sudden we are the complete list. Make it happen pls Wallsy.

 

[theGav56]

But we have cox. He’s 207cm tall and a veteran. Who ever said go with 1 ruck? Also, there’s always a chance cox is travelling really well at the end of his contract and we give him another year so we can win our third flag in a row!

Imagine trade Darcy, grab Neale and send young to half back. All of a sudden we are the complete list. Make it happen pls Wallsy.

Oh dear.

 

[Troy Cooked It]

I just don’t get it honestly, backing up what several posters have explained. When you have an asset that is literally making your opposition change from their status quo to come up against us. That advantage cannot be understated.

Darcy vs every teams second ruck = us winning or halving centre clearance. Cornes rehashing his long standing ball ache acting like Darcy is playing 80% game time, holding out Jackson from influencing games and not helping us win is truly doing my head in. He’s the 23rd player, 50% time on ground, best second ruckman in the league (third best at worst).

Premiership teams always trailblaze in some way or another. You find something that works and you find the advantage it gives you and you exploit the shit out of it while other teams (cough* Hawthorn) attempt to copy you.

 

[Purple Suit]

But we have cox. He’s 207cm tall and a veteran. Who ever said go with 1 ruck? Also, there’s always a chance cox is travelling really well at the end of his contract and we give him another year so we can win our third flag in a row!

Imagine trade Darcy, grab Neale and send young to half back. All of a sudden we are the complete list. Make it happen pls Wallsy.

Maybe wait to we see 211cm Cox in action with first before we trade away a best 23 player.

We would still need to replace him anyway as we would have no backup for injury and an unbalanced list. Rucks might be in vogue again at trade time so it might be harder to get one.

 

[Stevooo3940]

Maybe wait to we see 211cm Cox in action with first before we trade away a best 23 player.

We would still need to replace him anyway as we would have no backup for injury and an unbalanced list. Rucks might be in vogue again at trade time so it might be harder to get one.

Cant trade mid-season champ. We will get a nice sample size.

Im lost, one guy tells me we would have to pay to get rid of Darcy and you're telling me rucks might be back in vogue and impossible to get. Two good rucks is enough. Three is too many. There are other, more influential positions on the ground. Especially when one of the 'first choice' rucks is barely sighted, can't move out of sight and cant go forward. Winning a ruck tap really isn't that important, man.

 

[Purple Suit]

Cant trade mid-season champ. We will get a nice sample size.

Im lost, one guy tells me we would have to pay to get rid of Darcy and you're telling me rucks might be back in vogue and impossible to get. Two good rucks is enough. Three is too many. There are other, more influential positions on the ground. Especially when one of the 'first choice' rucks is barely sighted, can't move out of sight and cant go forward. Winning a ruck tap really isn't that important, man.

I never said anything about trading mid season champ.

Cox is 36, he’s not going to be around for very long. You need backup for injury and if we get rid of Darcy we leave ourselves exposed unless we swap him for someone. 2 rucks seems like the preferred strategy.

 

[Stevooo3940]

We would have 2 rucks. And if one gets injured, then you get a chop out from Voss. Clogging a list and taking up vital salary cap for just in cases is a dumb strategy. Darcy offers very little and cox can easily add similar or more value, particularly with his ability to go forward.

 

[Taylor]

Voss is even smaller than Jackson. Nobody winning is playing a relief ruck, they are fielding two giants even if one is very physically under prepared in terms of years in the gym.

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

compares really closely to Liam Reidy.

 

[AstonSouffle]

But we have cox. He’s 207cm tall and a veteran. Who ever said go with 1 ruck? Also, there’s always a chance cox is travelling really well at the end of his contract and we give him another year so we can win our third flag in a row!

Imagine trade Darcy, grab Neale and send young to half back. All of a sudden we are the complete list. Make it happen pls Wallsy.

Rob Peter twice and never pay Paul with that one.

 

[Big Animal]

Voss is even smaller than Jackson. Nobody winning is playing a relief ruck, they are fielding two giants even if one is very physically under prepared in terms of years in the gym.

Mason Cox compares really closely to Liam Reidy.

haha. You are such an instigator (aka sh5t stirrer) TayTay

 

[Quazar2]

I just don’t get it honestly, backing up what several posters have explained. When you have an asset that is literally making your opposition change from their status quo to come up against us. That advantage cannot be understated.

Darcy vs every teams second ruck = us winning or halving centre clearance. Cornes rehashing his long standing ball ache acting like Darcy is playing 80% game time, holding out Jackson from influencing games and not helping us win is truly doing my head in. He’s the 23rd player, 50% time on ground, best second ruckman in the league (third best at worst).

Premiership teams always trailblaze in some way or another. You find something that works and you find the advantage it gives you and you exploit the shit out of it while other teams (cough* Hawthorn) attempt to copy you.

Right. And Cornes trying to stamp his point by using the Collingwood game - a game with wild wet weather that both team struggled in and a defensive-Collingwood team trying to suck the living life out of it anyway, with Darcy probably not being wholly suited to the conditions in current form is not a great example to reiterate a point you've made a 1000 times before because you have some oddball axe to grind.

 

[gaskin]

Right. And Cornes trying to stamp his point by using the Collingwood game - a game with wild wet weather that both team struggled in and a defensive-Collingwood team trying to suck the living life out of it anyway, with Darcy probably not being wholly suited to the conditions in current form is not a great example to reiterate a point you've made a 1000 times before because you have some oddball axe to grind.

Cornes doesn't care. He will take any excuse to have a go at Darcy.

 

[Quazar2]

Cornes doesn't care. He will take any excuse to have a go at Darcy.

I know he will. But why, why is he so fixated on it?! He's been banging this drum since the Pleistocene era. He's an idiot

 

[gaskin]

I know he will. But why, why is he so fixated on it?! He's been banging this drum since the Pleistocene era. He's an idiot

He is desperate to not be wrong about it.

 

[Taylor]

He is desperate to not be wrong about it.

Yeah every time he speaks on it he is doubling down on his position. He can't walk it back now.

We could win a flag with Jackson and Darcy kicking four goals each, setting up 30 clearances out of the bounce combined and he would still find something to talk about.

 

[Quay Club]

Cornes doesn't care. He will take any excuse to have a go at Darcy.

He can wipe his arse on that stupid box of receipts he produces too!

He is TVs equivalent of a radio shock jock, the more absurd the better but people still talk about him.

The amazing thing is he was poached from CH9 to CH7 on big money.

 

[Cappy71]

Potentially controversial take: I absolutely love Fireball. Monday and Friday commutes to work are my favourites