No real difference between Rover, Ruck Rover, Centreman nowadays?

[Lionel Lyon]

Nowadays is there a real difference between these positions? I remember even when I used to play (a pretty hacked standard, admittedly)...Ruck of all things...I wasn't particular about to whom of the three I hit it; as far as I was concerned they were the same thing. Still seems that way to me.

 

[CJH]

Nowadays all flankers, wings, centres, rovers and ruck rovers are grouped together as 'midfielders' and are then divided into either 'inside' (Ratten) or 'outside' (Bradley) players.

Some of the elite players are so good they can fit into both categories (McLeod, Voss, ...)

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Not really new news - This was being talked about when Malthouse was in charge of the Eagles 92 & 94 premiership sides. Just an evolving part of modern footy.

 

[FIGJAM]

I reckon the ideal centreman is Nathan Buckley due to his physical size and presence. Judd will probably take this role for WCE. They are a rock in the guts and they're super reliable "go-to" men, who use the ball well. It is not really their job to be in and under (although they can and do), but to be the general of the midfield IMO. I would think this is even more difficult than CHF and probably the most difficult on the ground!

When it comes to rovers though, I agree with CJH. You have your inside and outside mid-fielders and the rovers are your inside players. You have your hard-nuts like Voss & Ratten, your slippery and speedy types that clear packs and clear the lines like Crawford and then you have the newer breed of super athelites that can clear the ball with a uncanny natural athletisism like Koutafides.

Wings and flanks - Outside
Rovers - Inside
Centre - Hybrid

 

[hotpie]

Well done Figjam.

In a general discussion about positions on the field you still managed to squeeze in a point about how good Buckley is!

Gotta love Collingwood supporters.

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by hotpie
Well done Figjam.

In a general discussion about positions on the field you still managed to squeeze in a point about how good Buckley is!

Gotta love Collingwood supporters.

Gotta love Buckley!

He is the best Centreman in the league and has been for years!!

 

[hotpie]

He is also the best rover, rock rover, wingman and flanker!

Occasionally he can turn it on in a key position too!

 

[MagpieJoel]

FIGJAM - Duck and cover! Dig the trenches...you watch em come at you now.

 

[MarkT]

Originally posted by hotpie
In a general discussion about positions on the field you still managed to squeeze in a point about how good Buckley is!

Gotta love Collingwood supporters.

No difference at all. Josh Fraser can play all of them brilliantly!

 

[jefffff34]

Originally posted by MagpieJoel
FIGJAM - Duck and cover! Dig the trenches...you watch em come at you now.

Thinking the exact same thing......

I call it jealousy

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by MagpieJoel
FIGJAM - Duck and cover! Dig the trenches...you watch em come at you now.

Wouldn't be anything new Joel!

 

[MagpieJoel]

I know!!

 

[wacca]

Or any other position except for Ruck, Full back and Full forward the rest are efectively some type of on ballers - interesting to see that now the Bulldogs have stopped flooding as a matter of course they have started winning - could they be further up the ladder if they were not so defensive in the first few games???

 

[Thrawn]

Originally posted by FIGJAM

Gotta love Buckley!

He is the best Centreman in the league and has been for years!!

This year, yes... Buckley has been outstanding in the centre. But for "years" now? Please tell me your joking. Ratten has been the best centreman for the past few years, but not including this year (due to injury). I'd also rate Voss higher than Buckley going on form from "years", not just this year.

 

[Fat Red]

Watch out now, they're coming at you any moment...

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by Thrawn
This year, yes... Buckley has been outstanding in the centre. But for "years" now? Please tell me your joking. Ratten has been the best centreman for the past few years, but not including this year (due to injury). I'd also rate Voss higher than Buckley going on form from "years", not just this year.

Thanks for the intro Fat Red!

I don't consider Ratten or Voss to be Centremen. I see them as onballers and the best in the biz at that!

Bucks holds down a centre position in the same way a CHF holds down that position. It is a significantly different role to following. While Voss and Ratten are better in close, Bucks makes up for it with his stronger marking. I'm not saying that Voss/Ratten can't mark, but at the same time, Buckley is underrated in close (very highly ranked this year for hardball gets)! I am just saying that their positions are dictated by their strengths.

Buckley = Centre
Voss/Ratten = Follower/Rover

As for Ratten, he is one of my favourite players (despite being from the filth). I thought he and Buckley were the best two players last year!!

 

[Lockyer24]

Yeah theres like about 6-8 midfielders these days, ruck-rover rover etc are no longer 'defined roles' so to speak

and Buckley is a great centreman