Are we stuffed when Ivan retires ?

[dothebowdenshuffle]

With Orren going back to North Ballarat I'm concerned about the RFC VFL ruck position. I wouldn't want to think about Richmond in the AFL without Maric at this stage.

Issue with our recent VFL teams have been we are too top heavy. Often having to fit 3-4 200cm types into same team such as McBean, Orren, Hampson, on occasion Vickery/Griffiths and then there is Elton just under 200cm. Orren was getting bit old and Hampson can be a decent No1 ruck at VFL with Soldo as backup.

 

[dothebowdenshuffle]

the ruck seems to always be the position we are set for.
our last few rucks, going back to the 90s have been, Maric, Simmonds, Ottens, Stafford, and Justin Charles.

That means once Maric is finished, we will trade in another ruckman. We'll be fine.

Benny Gale and Graham add to that list...l think that list underlines how important a first class ruck is. Our struggles across a couple of decades do tend to mirror our lack of quality rucks - Ottens was very average for us as a ruck but in second half of his career at Geelong built his physique and became elite. For those who say it's an over-rated position how did Maric go in 2013 Elimination Final when double-teamed by Warnock and Kreuzer? Maric has a huge heart but he has his physical limitations and we definitely need a strong athletic competitive taller option. Hampson whilst only 1cm taller plays taller and is an excellent tap ruckman just lacks heart and the capacity to be consistently effective elsewhere. I'm not sure he's ever gonna improve his deficiencies but we have certainly seen what he is capable of as he destroyed us as a key forward in R1 games 2011-13 tho MIA when asked to play forward for us last year

 

[DontArgue4]

There's a bit of that going around at the moment . 9 straight with solid wins against

Saint Kilda twice
Brisbane
GWS
Essendrugs
West Coast
Crows

How many of these teams were in the 8 or more importantly the bottom 4 ?

I think Essendrugs played in A final didn't they?

lol oh how naive

Adelaide didnt make finals because we beat them on their home deck
West Coast didnt make finals because we beat them on their home deck
We beat Port who made a prelim

But yeah

edit: oh and yes essendon made finals too

 

[Tiger71]

lol oh how naive

Adelaide didnt make finals because we beat them on their home deck
West Coast didnt make finals because we beat them on their home deck
We beat Port who made a prelim

But yeah

edit: oh and yes essendon made finals too

Ssshhh brother, we cant have fair logic on here

 

[DontArgue4]

Ssshhh brother, we cant have fair logic on here

sorry

 

[RFC_Official]

Boys were just completing their 3 x 1km time trials. On the last lap Ivan slowed right down to run with Reece McKenzie, was pushing him on, then as they crossed the finish line and Reece collapsed in a heap, Ivan picked him up and held him up, encourage him some more, and got him a drink.

 

[Tiger71]

Boys were just completing their 3 x 1km time trials. On the last lap Ivan slowed right down to run with Reece McKenzie, was pushing him on, then as they crossed the finish line and Reece collapsed in a heap, Ivan picked him up and held him up, encourage him some more, and got him a drink.

I am not gay but i am happy to say if Ivan wanted to pork me, I would let him

 

[NZ_Tiger]

I am not gay but i am happy to say if Ivan wanted to pork me, I would let him

Get some pork on your fork?

 

[TigermanM2]

Issue with our recent VFL teams have been we are too top heavy. Often having to fit 3-4 200cm types into same team such as McBean, Orren, Hampson, on occasion Vickery/Griffiths and then there is Elton just under 200cm. Orren was getting bit old and Hampson can be a decent No1 ruck at VFL with Soldo as backup.

So whats changed?

In: McKenzie, Soldo
Out: Stephenson

 

[Mr Unbelievable]

Boys were just completing their 3 x 1km time trials. On the last lap Ivan slowed right down to run with Reece McKenzie, was pushing him on, then as they crossed the finish line and Reece collapsed in a heap, Ivan picked him up and held him up, encourage him some more, and got him a drink.

That's magnificent !!
I love these updates RFC_Official, keep them coming please. They are a nice insight into what occurs behind the scenes.

 

[Tiger Claw]

Boys were just completing their 3 x 1km time trials. On the last lap Ivan slowed right down to run with Reece McKenzie, was pushing him on, then as they crossed the finish line and Reece collapsed in a heap, Ivan picked him up and held him up, encourage him some more, and got him a drink.

That is real heartening stuff.

Come game day we tend to forget or know nothing of moments like these which lead up to it.

I'll remember your comment when I see Reece run out in the jumper for the first time and give a big nod to Ivan.

Needless to say I've been over the moon with Ivan for a long time. When he runs out in our jumper it means something.

 

[Bojangles17]

29 this month so you'd say he has this season and then one more or perhaps 2 max. What are we going to do without our spiritual leader of men on the field ?

Griffiths and Vockery are not good enough to be number 1 ruck.. Hampson will be gone..

Discuss

That's two drafts you are prepared to concede we couldn't bring in further support for our ruck stocks , plenty of time

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Vickery can play, no1 ruck is a big ask but he's got the fire, maybe a couple of years off it still.

Griff is an ideal back up, got that sorted.

Soldo is a physical monster, or maybe a more apt term would be shit tonne of bricks. He's got plenty of time to develop.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

And Ivan has three quality years of service and heart warming pack breaking sex left in him.