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With the 4 boundary umpires being implemented in the finals and next year (?) and so on, I believe that by the time Simmonds retires (for mine, end of next season), Adam Pattison will become the kind of ruckman we need. I've always seen him as a CHF because of his lack of height, but now, his fitness levels are the key.
I think it was Akermanis who made the comment that it (4 b. umpires) was making it harder for ruckmen to get to each contest due to the increased speed. Pattison is naturally a fitness freak, and with these new 'rules' will be able to run other ruckmen off there feet.
Personally I think the AFL has handed us a top ruckman, not because of natural talent (which he does have...good mark), but because of more umpires being introduced.
Yes, we may still need a tall, lanky 'tap ruckman' for the centre bounces, but Patto should, by the time Simmonds finishes, be built up enough to hold his own in body-to-body ruck contests. And he will allow an extra tall to be played forward, because of his extra fitness.
In two years time, I can't imagine Richo will be as able to play on the wing as he has been this year (although he's suprised us all throughout...) and so I think Patto should be started on the wing, with the taller ruck starting in centre bounces, and then moving into a forward pocket, even if not to take marks due to lack of ability (Graham
), but to take a tall defender who would otherwise block the lead of the Riewoldt, Richo, Hughes, Putt, Gourdis or any other leading forward. This was Patto's lack of height wouldn't be as big a dilemna for Richmond as it may otherwise have been, as he wouldn't have to out jump the oppositions ruckman.
And then, as the quarter goes on, he will still be running around as the opposition ruck's lag behind, due to Pattison's massive tank.
Is this just wishful thinking, and will ruckman continue to get bigger and bigger, or will their height be nullified somewhat and their fitness become more important as the speed of the game increases?
I watch with interest what pans out...
On a side note, does anyone think Patto could play CHF?
He is a good mark and can kick well enough...
He is a similar player to STK's Ben McEvoy- starred in U/18s and was a high pick, but is slightly too small for ruck and slightly too big/slow/unco for CHF (or is percieved to be, anyway)...
People have similar qualms on Shaun McKernan, which could be fair enough, but I see him becoming a big, hard to stop due to size, CHF in the making, one of the reasons I like him!
So there you have it, Cormick's futuristic vision of how Patto will play. And star!
I think it was Akermanis who made the comment that it (4 b. umpires) was making it harder for ruckmen to get to each contest due to the increased speed. Pattison is naturally a fitness freak, and with these new 'rules' will be able to run other ruckmen off there feet.
Personally I think the AFL has handed us a top ruckman, not because of natural talent (which he does have...good mark), but because of more umpires being introduced.
Yes, we may still need a tall, lanky 'tap ruckman' for the centre bounces, but Patto should, by the time Simmonds finishes, be built up enough to hold his own in body-to-body ruck contests. And he will allow an extra tall to be played forward, because of his extra fitness.
In two years time, I can't imagine Richo will be as able to play on the wing as he has been this year (although he's suprised us all throughout...) and so I think Patto should be started on the wing, with the taller ruck starting in centre bounces, and then moving into a forward pocket, even if not to take marks due to lack of ability (Graham
), but to take a tall defender who would otherwise block the lead of the Riewoldt, Richo, Hughes, Putt, Gourdis or any other leading forward. This was Patto's lack of height wouldn't be as big a dilemna for Richmond as it may otherwise have been, as he wouldn't have to out jump the oppositions ruckman.And then, as the quarter goes on, he will still be running around as the opposition ruck's lag behind, due to Pattison's massive tank.
Is this just wishful thinking, and will ruckman continue to get bigger and bigger, or will their height be nullified somewhat and their fitness become more important as the speed of the game increases?
I watch with interest what pans out...
On a side note, does anyone think Patto could play CHF?
He is a good mark and can kick well enough...
He is a similar player to STK's Ben McEvoy- starred in U/18s and was a high pick, but is slightly too small for ruck and slightly too big/slow/unco for CHF (or is percieved to be, anyway)...
People have similar qualms on Shaun McKernan, which could be fair enough, but I see him becoming a big, hard to stop due to size, CHF in the making, one of the reasons I like him!
So there you have it, Cormick's futuristic vision of how Patto will play. And star!
