Backup Ruckmen

[BacharHouli_43]

With Laycock out injured, Bellchambers may take over as the 2nd ruckman but I personally see more value by playing Ryder as the backup and playing another midfielder in the team. In reality Bellchambers would probably only play 40-55 mins for the match. I think Hille can easily manage the ruckwork for the majority of the match with some relief provided by Ryder (but that is countered by the long term preservation of Hille throughout the season).

I think Ryder could also thrive in the freedom of rucking and although he would struggle in ruck contests, he would be brilliant around the ground in a similar manner to what Goodes used to do in the ruck.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

So Pears and Hurley have to take one of the best forwards.

e.g
Hurley > Tredrea
Hurley > Tarrant/McPharlin
Pears > Kreuzer
Hurley > Smith
Hurley > Rocca, Pears > Anthony
Hurley > Brown
Hurley > Roughead
Hurley > Kosi
Hurley > Morton, Pears > Riewoldt
Hurley > Hawkins, Pears > Lonergan
Hurley > Tippet, Pears > Walker

which takes us through to round 11. I don't fancy our chances in many of those, let me tell you.

 

[fishguts]

No, Bellchambers is head and shoulders above Ryder as a ruckman currently. Bellchambers has also earnt his spot would you not agree?

 

[Duckworth]

I think that Bellchambers has earnt a spot for round 1. We certainly can't afford to put Ryder into the ruck. To me the good modern rucks have a fair bit of size to them (not just height). Ryder is still relatively skinny and needs more mass if he were to play Ruck on a more regular basis.

I can see that there may even be times this year when Lucas is forced to do a role in the back half. I'm not convinced on the Knights 4 tall forward plan as yet.

 

[stay true]

It's the perfect time for Bellchambers to play some senior footy. He needs to play as many games as possible to develop.

Plus he's done well enough in the nab cup to warrant a spot IMO.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Bellchambers should definitely start. Although Ryder can pinch-hit in the ruck, asking him to play there on a more permanent basis is asking for an injury.

 

[The Dustbin]

Barring injury Bellchambers will play round 1. I actually think Ryder is our best tap/palm ruckman.

Wouldn't surprise me: (1) If Bock plays a game this year & (2) Bock snaps in half

 

[loopy_cam]

The results of the poll says it all really.

 

[fishguts]

Barring injury Bellchambers will play round 1. I actually think Ryder is our best tap/palm ruckman.

Wouldn't surprise me: (1) If Bock plays a game this year & (2) Bock snaps in half

(3) Bock gets blown away in 5kmph winds which he described as 'Cyclonic strength winds'.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

(4) Some w***er, most likely myself, makes a joke about Bock's rucking abilities, using the word "Springbok".

 

[Yoda_]

The same sitaution with Neage and Gumby to an extent, may not neccesarily be ready, but with us not really being a threat, give the kids a go and get some senior games into our future, he (Bellchambers) is going to play at some stage this year, so give him a go now, where he will only learn more in the seniors.

 

[Skeeta Olly]

(4) Some w***er, most likely myself, makes a joke about Bock's rucking abilities, using the word "Springbok".

Quality.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Quality.

No it's not, that's the problem.

 

[Skeeta Olly]

No it's not, that's the problem.

A Pun does it for me.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

So Pears and Hurley have to take one of the best forwards.

e.g
Hurley > Tredrea
Hurley > Tarrant/McPharlin
Pears > Kreuzer
Hurley > Smith
Hurley > Rocca, Pears > Anthony
Hurley > Brown
Hurley > Roughead
Hurley > Kosi
Hurley > Morton, Pears > Riewoldt
Hurley > Hawkins, Pears > Lonergan
Hurley > Tippet, Pears > Walker

which takes us through to round 11. I don't fancy our chances in many of those, let me tell you.

TBH I can't really see a problem with any of them except maybe Brown and Roughead, but who says Hurley or Pears wouldn't concede less goals than if Ryder played on him.

 

[daffo]

Although I picked that Belly should be picked, I have to admit, seeing Ryder in the ruck wouldn't be the worst thing. I would love to see him run around the ground, let him play with some freedom and let him attack the ball.
If Pears/Hurley can step up then I would love to see Ryder move up the ground.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

TBH I can't really see a problem with any of them except maybe Brown and Roughead, but who says Hurley or Pears wouldn't concede less goals than if Ryder played on him.

That also means that Fletcher has to play on Westhoff, Pavlich, Fevola, Hale, Cloke, Bradshaw, Franklin, Riewoldt, Richo, Mooney and Burton, which will severely restrict his rebounding abilities.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

That also means that Fletcher has to play on Westhoff, Pavlich, Fevola, Hale, Cloke, Bradshaw, Franklin, Riewoldt, Richo, Mooney and Burton, which will severely restrict his rebounding abilities.

True, but was able to do it quite well last year and we would still have the same number of KP defenders, or if Pears and Hurley get game time one extra. IMO I would love Ryder to play tall wing man role with a defensive mindset, linking up out of defense and floating across HB free of a man, with Pears and Hurley to cover the KP forwards but have Fletcher playing on the weaker forwards, allowing him to leave his man and assist Hurls and Pearly.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

I think there's room for one of Pears and Hurley every week, but they shouldn't really be taking the Clokes or Roccas of this world, but the Anthonies.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Laycock has to go, ergo Bellchambers has to play. The longer we leave kids out in order to be a little more competitive, the longer we'll be mediocre. Same goes for the backline, except Fletch is ageing rather than hopeless.

 

[EVERLAST]

Laycock has to go, ergo Bellchambers has to play. The longer we leave kids out in order to be a little more competitive, the longer we'll be mediocre. Same goes for the backline, except Fletch is ageing rather than hopeless.

I agree, anyone but Laycock. Let Tom line up against kids from our opponents whilst they're are plenty of young ruckman cutting their teeth in the comp. I dare suggest Laycock would lose in a duel with Jake Spencer right now.

 

[shad518]

Definitely get Bellchambers out there in the first couple of weeks. Hille is in awesome form and will do the bulk of the ruck work, so there's no pressure on him. There's plenty of leg speed in the team, so an extra bit of hight around the field can't hurt. But most importantly of all, Hille is turning 28, Laycock's not getting any better and ruckman take quite a few years to hit their prime... we need our 3rd and 4th string bigmen to be at AFL standard sooner rather than later. Can't wait to see what he does with this opportunity to step up.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Laycock has to go, ergo Bellchambers has to play. The longer we leave kids out in order to be a little more competitive, the longer we'll be mediocre. Same goes for the backline, except Fletch is ageing rather than hopeless.

I agree, anyone but Laycock. Let Tom line up against kids from our opponents whilst they're are plenty of young ruckman cutting their teeth in the comp. I dare suggest Laycock would lose in a duel with Jake Spencer right now.

I give up.