Mark Riccuito

[maccas_no1]

Would like to get a general feel what we expect from the great man in 2007, we all know what he suffered late last year and even during the year struggling with a good fitness base to run in the midfeild, but found a great answer up forward with his great pressence and the fact he has the ability to crash the packs and take great marks.

Will he continue in a forward role or has his pre-season been very good that we could see him move back into the midfeild???

I think due to the loss of Hentschel we need to leave him forward as he is, as proven in the past about our best option up there, as we all know and Ive already pointed out he can mark and kick some great goals.

Discuss and thoughts, and please lets not get into any bashing of myself and questioning the team and where it is at because this isnt what this is about

 

[jen_32]

Full forward with time on the ball in each quarter.

I hope he is having a great pre-season.

 

[Mad Dog]

I can't see Mark getting back to the Midfield fulltime.

Even when he was fit in 2005 - he was coming off at about the 10 min. mark of each qtr as part of the rotations.

Now 2 years older - you would think he would struggle to play >50% of his time in the MF....so with a need up forward and quite a few younglings in contention for Midfield spots.....I would expect him not to be a major part of the rotation.

I would like to see him leading out of the square on set piece plays like after a centre bounce or as we bring the ball out of defense...........but if the ball is in our fwd 50.......I'd like to see him play as an "onballer" at the stoppages to add some physical grunt to the contested plays. This would free up one of our other mids to drop back a kick behind the stoppage as either a defensive roll or as a "get out" or "over lap".

I would also like to see Mark put himself in the middle if the opposition is having their way with us or getting a run on.

D. Jarman was a fine fwd/mid option late in his career and I'd like to see Roo do the same.

 

[maccas_no1]

I can't see Mark getting back to the Midfield fulltime.

Even when he was fit in 2005 - he was coming off at about the 10 min. mark of each qtr as part of the rotations.

Now 2 years older - you would think he would struggle to play >50% of his time in the MF....so with a need up forward and quite a few younglings in contention for Midfield spots.....I would expect him not to be a major part of the rotation.

I would like to see him leading out of the square on set piece plays like after a centre bounce or as we bring the ball out of defense...........but if the ball is in our fwd 50.......I'd like to see him play as an "onballer" at the stoppages to add some physical grunt to the contested plays. This would free up one of our other mids to drop back a kick behind the stoppage as either a defensive roll or as a "get out" or "over lap".

I would also like to see Mark put himself in the middle if the opposition is having their way with us or getting a run on.

D. Jarman was a fine fwd/mid option late in his career and I'd like to see Roo do the same.

Yes I agree I dont want to see him hold up any of our future midfeild prospects and there are a few of them coming through such as Douglas, knight and Van Berlo.

I think at the moment Riccuito forward is where he going to do the most damage.

 

[jen_32]

I agree with Mad Dog.

The skipper needs to be preserved in the forward line for the business end of the season and hopefully (fingers crossed) a 15th season in 2008.

 

[Dandy_GO]

I want to see a coleman medal.

 

[- PC -]

I would also like to see Mark put himself in the middle if the opposition is having their way with us or getting a run on.
.

This is the important bit. If he feels the game is slipping away then he will put himself in and try and turn the game...otherwise work on your goal kicking Roo

 

[macca23]

Discuss and thoughts, and please lets not get into any bashing of myself and questioning the team and where it is at because this isnt what this is about

Bloody spoilsport!!

Just on Roo, I see him as having at least one burst per quarter on the ball with the balance of the time up forward.

Just before he went down with the rabies last year, he had a few bursts on the ball and to put it bluntly he was absolutely inspirational.

On the other hand, when he was fit he was a dangerous forward who doesn't need a lot of kicks to kick goals.

So probably mainly up forward makes sense, but I wouldn't want to lose those occasional inspirational intimidating bursts on the ball.

 

[maccas_no1]

Bloody spoilsport!!

What pub and what time momorrow macca, maybe we can discuss a few AFC issues over a few Cooper's Pale Ale's

Just on Roo, I see him as having at least one burst per quarter on the ball with the balance of the time up forward.

Just before he went down with the rabies last year, he had a few bursts on the ball and to put it bluntly he was absolutely inspirational.

On the other hand, when he was fit he was a dangerous forward who doesn't need a lot of kicks to kick goals.

So probably mainly up forward makes sense, but I wouldn't want to lose those occasional inspirational intimidating bursts on the ball.

Excellent summary, and the way I see he plays his best football, unfortunatly we will never see him fulltime in the middle again, but his leadership and what he can do around the forwardline will be fantastic.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Think Roo will be a useful contributor, however I do not expect him to dominate either in the midfield (where I expect him to have stints against certain teams) or the forward lines.

As a forwrd and at a touch over 6' he's best served IMO if he's not the go to man .....in other words get him 2nd or 3rd best opposition defender and he'll do damage.

Against a Scarlet who's taller and quicker well I think he'll struggle ...that's why the loss of Hentschell hurts so much.

We need Perrie, Kenny and Bock to be dominant so as Roo can "sneak" in

 

[lozstar]

I would like for Roo to have from this season a Norm Smith medal, Brownlow medal, Coleman medal, Malcolm Blight Medal and being captain of a premiership team...

but all in seriousness, if he played every game, was actually fit this year and makes a good contribution he will be doing his bit.. although if he was captain of a premiership team, that would be lovely!

 

[jenny61_99]

I think I was saying for most of last year, that Roo's time in the mid-field had passed. He is a formidable forward and I think that is where his twighlight year(s) will be spent. I believed last year that he was carrying an injury (such as OP) which I thought may shorten his career. I hope I am wrong.

 

[swanfan]

I think I was saying for most of last year, that Roo's time in the mid-field had passed. He is a formidable forward and I think that is where his twighlight year(s) will be spent. I believed last year that he was carrying an injury (such as OP) which I thought may shorten his career. I hope I am wrong.

I think Roo is going to have another Brownlow winning year in the midfield or is that wishful thinking on my part. . I think he will play forward and spend around 10-15 minutes each quarter in the midfield.

 

[crows4always]

Bloody spoilsport!!

Just on Roo, I see him as having at least one burst per quarter on the ball with the balance of the time up forward.

Just before he went down with the rabies last year, he had a few bursts on the ball and to put it bluntly he was absolutely inspirational.

On the other hand, when he was fit he was a dangerous forward who doesn't need a lot of kicks to kick goals.

So probably mainly up forward makes sense, but I wouldn't want to lose those occasional inspirational intimidating bursts on the ball.

My thoughts as well macca23

 

[MrMeaner]

I would have thought that you guys would be best served by studying Brisbane's use of Voss.

For someone outside of Adelaide, how is Riccuito going at training? Has he fully recovered from his late-season illness? Has that had any effect on his ability to complete the pre-season.

BTW, I'm looking forward to introducing my girlfriend to the Adelaide-Port rivalry in April. She is not too familiar with football generally. I'm hoping for a good game with a little less aggro in the crowd (from both sets of supporters) than recently.

 

[noddy]

I would have thought that you guys would be best served by studying Brisbane's use of Voss.

For someone outside of Adelaide, how is Riccuito going at training? Has he fully recovered from his late-season illness? Has that had any effect on his ability to complete the pre-season.

BTW, I'm looking forward to introducing my girlfriend to the Adelaide-Port rivalry in April. She is not too familiar with football generally. I'm hoping for a good game with a little less aggro in the crowd (from both sets of supporters) than recently.

Agree with you M&M.

If we want the Roo to play on for a couple of more years in a meaningful manner & not end up as a cripple at age 40 then keep him out of the mid-field.

Good luck with the girlfriend.

 

[macca23]

BTW, I'm looking forward to introducing my girlfriend to the Adelaide-Port rivalry in April. She is not too familiar with football generally. I'm hoping for a good game with a little less aggro in the crowd (from both sets of supporters) than recently.

Just get her to google up "civil war".

That'll give her some idea of what she's in for!!

 

[MrMeaner]

Just get her to google up "civil war".

That'll give her some idea of what she's in for!!

Given the fact that I have almost been clocked at the last two Showdown's your suggestion is pretty much spot on.

She is a 'real football' fan originally from Mexico, so she might have some idea already.

 

[maccas_no1]

Sense will prevail and Roo wont play midfeild I would rather see him play 2 maybe 3 more years in his forward role.
Think he can play the role he does now nicely until then, important the AFC keep someone like Roo going until then in the forwardline so the AFC have time to allow the developement of some good young key forwards.

Perrie, Welsh and McGregor have alot to prove this year otherwise they will be just holding up the future stars in our forwardline. These are the three players I would be looking at closely during the year.

 

[maccas_no1]

Just get her to google up "civil war".

That'll give her some idea of what she's in for!!

I would just point her in the direction of Bay 13, it has gone truely feral in there, the AFC Vs PAFC slanging is going left right and centre.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Think Roo will be a useful contributor, however I do not expect him to dominate either in the midfield (where I expect him to have stints against certain teams) or the forward lines.

As a forwrd and at a touch over 6' he's best served IMO if he's not the go to man .....in other words get him 2nd or 3rd best opposition defender and he'll do damage.

Against a Scarlet who's taller and quicker well I think he'll struggle ...that's why the loss of Hentschell hurts so much.

We need Perrie, Kenny and Bock to be dominant so as Roo can "sneak" in

I seem to remember him kicking 3 in the last quarter on Scarlett at the Cattery 3 or 4 years ago. and win the game for us.

Im with most opinions on here. 80 % at FF with the odd burst in the MF

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I seem to remember him kicking 3 in the last quarter on Scarlett at the Cattery 3 or 4 years ago. and win the game for us.

Im with most opinions on here. 80 % at FF with the odd burst in the MF

Yeah TJ but that is when he was 28 ...he's now 32 and we can't expect him to be anything like he was then.

I'd prefer him not to be the go too man at FF .....he'll be too easy to negate ....try and get him on the third or fouth best defender

 

[- PC -]

I'd prefer him not to be the go too man at FF .....he'll be too easy to negate ....try and get him on the third or fouth best defender

That would have been possible with Hentschel and Bock but I fear he will get the 2nd best defender...though that should leave Welsh free, if Welsh is considered to be different to Roo

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah TJ but that is when he was 28 ...he's now 32 and we can't expect him to be anything like he was then.

I'd prefer him not to be the go too man at FF .....he'll be too easy to negate ....try and get him on the third or fouth best defender

agreed - he needs to roam around and crumb if possible....others need to be the focus.....Welsh, Perrie, Bock, etc

 

[WaynesWorld19]

That would have been possible with Hentschel and Bock but I fear he will get the 2nd best defender...though that should leave Welsh free, if Welsh is considered to be different to Roo

Well it really needs Kenny to stand up ......