Ackland and Rix

[nicko016]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on these two. At the moment neither are probaly #1 ruckmen and ideally they are backup ruckmen.

However, I thought Rix showed a lot in the first half against Melbourne. In my opinion Rix looks to have much more improvement in him. In the first half of the 1st quarter Kos was rucking and we were getting smashed in the clearances. Probably around halfway through the quarter we were down two goals to one.

Then Rix, came on and it all turned around. We dominated the rest of the half and I thought his ruckwork was very good. He had some really good hitouts and our clearances completely turned around and thus we began to dominate. Rix also laid a couple of really solid tackles. Rix's ruckwork, however, dropped off after halftime and after halftime Melbourne probably won the clearances by a fair margin. I thought Rix was one of the main reasons we got that good run of three or four goals late in the 1st quarter. This demonstrates that Rix has the potential to become a very good ruckmen.

With this, and Barry Brooks showing something I think we could possibly trade Ackland for a second round draft pick so that we could have three picks inside the top 30. Even, though he's not a great player, he would be of some value as he is a regular 22 player. This would mean our ruck stocks would be Rix, Brooks and Kosi which isn't too bad and has potential to improve. What are your thoughts?

 

[panthers]

Good post nicko I thought rixxy was fantastic for a part of the game on friday night. he showed some real grunt and hard body. i think he ran out of steam a bit and was up against a class ruckman in the second half in white. I dont know if we would get a second round draft pick for cain but i wouldnt really want to trade him anyway. If broks can step up again next season it would be great to have rix ackland and brooks as our prime ruckmen with blake as a backup if we get injuries. That would free up kosi to play a number of positions. Just my opinion though

 

[nicko016]

It would be a bit of a risk getting rid of Ackland because then we would struggle if Rix and Brooks got injured or didn't come on. However, I would like to see us get a few more high draft picks, becuase, in the last few years we have traded a few away and used some on recycled players. I think it is important that we start getting some younger players into the squad. Another player we could throw up for trade would be Matty Ferguson, however, we mighten get much for him.

 

[panthers]

I think you will find nicko that the club have a high regard for mat ferguson. the next couple of months are going to be very interesting arent they

 

[nicko016]

It is going to be a very interesting few months. With a few retirements looming and some player on the borderline for being delisted there could be anywhere from 3 or 4 players going to 8 or 9 if all our older players retire.

 

[panthers]

I have my fingers and toes crossed for a certain #35 not to retire

 

[nicko016]

I have my fingers and toes crossed for a certain #35 not to retire

As do I, and that's the main reason the last few days has been so depressing because we may never see the great #35 play again which breaks my heart.

 

[Emmo]

As do I, and that's the main reason the last few days has been so depressing because we may never see the great #35 play again which breaks my heart.

here here

 

[Qsaint]

We have 5 ruckman, if you include Blake and Kosi. Our list is too much weighted on talls if you look at Players like Pziter (SP) Watts and a couple of other defenders. With 4 midfielders retiring in the next year or two we really need to re focus on running players. I would think one of Ackland or Blake are gone, if you believe Rix and Brooks can improve and perhaps we go for another ruck in the Draft

Mini rebuild around Kosi Roo Goose Ball Dal Santo