Player Watch #32 Samson Ryan

[THE THIN MAN]

I was optimistic that training with Nank would bring out a bit more aggression, but not sure that's been the case?

Once an immovable soggy lettuce always a soggy lettuce leaf

 

[tropicaltiger]

wonder if we will play him or sims from the bench to get solid game time as a 2nd ruck

Will play round 1, Nank won't be flogged this year, Sammo would have played 6-10 games last year if there was no sub rule and he didn't have multiple injuries to content with.

Sammo will play 12+ games in 2026 and share the load with big nank.

New ruck rules and 5 on the bench will be the makings of the big giraffe and Nank will be sitting back smoking the cherry instead of playing 85% of match time.

An improvement and 8 or 9 wins and a percentage of around 85% will be a good year for us if we can keep injury to a minimum.

 

[sregit]

There is more chance of Sampson getting the lead role in swan lake than being a lead ruck.

 

[richoatthedisco]

I think its time to accept its not strength with Ryan, its ability.

This whole, needs to get stronger argument is dead. Much younger, lighter frames than his are holding their own in the AFL if they are good enough.

I had high praise for him when drafted and early days he killed the VFL as a genuine KPF. He just aint good enough.

Na, he's plenty talented. It's belief and confidence.

 

[Morro]

Na, he's plenty talented. It's belief and confidence.

I used to think that also, that ship has sailed now.

 

[Yze does it]

In that case tall backs & forwards may share that role while the rucks could become the outlet on half-back/wing to get involved in transition to attack?

the chicas play last touch between the 50m arcs.

all AFLW teams still use 2 rucks.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Will play round 1, Nank won't be flogged this year, Sammo would have played 6-10 games last year if there was no sub rule and he didn't have multiple injuries to content with.

Sammo will play 12+ games in 2026 and share the load with big nank.

New ruck rules and 5 on the bench will be the makings of the big giraffe and Nank will be sitting back smoking the cherry instead of playing 85% of match time.

An improvement and 8 or 9 wins and a percentage of around 85% will be a good year for us if we can keep injury to a minimum.

Delilah couldn't catch a cold let alone a footy.

 

[tropicaltiger]

Delilah couldn't catch a cold let alone a footy.

Tristan Xerri is now close to 27yo. here is the general consensus of what North Melbourne fans thought of him
4 years ago when he thought STK might give him ago and felt unwanted.

 

[richoatthedisco]

I used to think that also, that ship has sailed now.

No it hasn't. Like most rucks his best years will be in his late 20s/early 30s. He's 25 - coming into his prime.

Not to wish injury on anyone but a two-month injury to Nank could be just what Samson needs.

 

[Morro]

No it hasn't. Like most rucks his best years will be in his late 20s/early 30s. He's 25 - coming into his prime.

Not to wish injury on anyone but a two-month injury to Nank could be just what Samson needs.

This pie in the sky stuff is very unlike you, I just dont see it and I was a massive fan early days.

he has literally gone backwards, BACKWARDS!

 

[THE THIN MAN]

 

[tropicaltiger]

No it hasn't. Like most rucks his best years will be in his late 20s/early 30s. He's 25 - coming into his prime.

Not to wish injury on anyone but a two-month injury to Nank could be just what Samson needs.

exactly Max gawn didn't get going at Melbourne till about 23yo.... Mark Jamar ruled the roost....
and lets get serious jamar wasn't good enough to even tie up nank boot laces. sampsons contract is risky but lets be patient he aint on dekonning or silvagni bucks.

 

[Muddiemoose]

No it hasn't. Like most rucks his best years will be in his late 20s/early 30s. He's 25 - coming into his prime.

Not to wish injury on anyone but a two-month injury to Nank could be just what Samson needs.

Think you might be onto something

He’s one of those guys who needs to be the number 1 ruck otherwise he doesn’t bring much to the table

He will be an AFL ruck at some point imo but it will just depend on timing with Nank as to if it’s with us or with someone else

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Think you might be onto something

He’s one of those guys who needs to be the number 1 ruck otherwise he doesn’t bring much to the table

The point in question is where Delilah plays, if Warsaw ever enters a team then he is bound to be selected.

 

[richoatthedisco]

This pie in the sky stuff is very unlike you, I just dont see it and I was a massive fan early days.

he has literally gone backwards, BACKWARDS!

Na. He stalled this year due to injury. He's been one of the best rucks in the VFL for a while now. He needs AFL competition.

 

[richoatthedisco]

Think you might be onto something

He’s one of those guys who needs to be the number 1 ruck otherwise he doesn’t bring much to the table

He will be an AFL ruck at some point imo but it will just depend on timing with Nank as to if it’s with us or with someone else

He'd be the latest in a long line of written off rucks to flourish with the main gig.

 

[sante]

2026 is his make or break year

 

[Morro]

Na. He stalled this year due to injury. He's been one of the best rucks in the VFL for a while now. He needs AFL competition.

Hope you are right

 

[TJTIGER]

the chicas play last touch between the 50m arcs.

all AFLW teams still use 2 rucks.

I guess we'll see how it develops in the men's game?

 

[Drunken Wookie]

This pie in the sky stuff is very unlike you, I just dont see it and I was a massive fan early days.

he has literally gone backwards, BACKWARDS!

Agreed, it's pretty bizarre. He had a decent set of dukes for a while there in the VFL when moved forward, kicked a few 3's and 4's. When I say decent I mean he could actually complete an overhead mark. Now he literally just puts his hands up like a cop busted him and the ball slaps off the underside of his forearm.

 

[tigerfan1961]

No it hasn't. Like most rucks his best years will be in his late 20s/early 30s. He's 25 - coming into his prime.

Not to wish injury on anyone but a two-month injury to Nank could be just what Samson needs.

And Samson avoiding injury for the first time in what seems like ages. Always seems to miss a block of games through injury

 

[Grrr]

OHB has more upside, and that's saying something.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Agreed, it's pretty bizarre. He had a decent set of dukes for a while there in the VFL when moved forward, kicked a few 3's and 4's. When I say decent I mean he could actually complete an overhead mark. Now he literally just puts his hands up like a cop busted him and the ball slaps off the underside of his forearm.

Think that’s part of the issue
We judge him mostly on his forward craft that isn’t the greatest at AFL level

But his strengths lay in his tap work and ground level work around the ground that we only really get to see small snippets of at AFL level because he’s playing that relief role

 

[richoatthedisco]

Hope you are right

I usually am.

 

[Morro]

I usually am.

Who gon tell him