Primus. Best ruck going?

[Grendel]

Just on tonights performance he certainly looks it. By geez he was good. Did the Lions have first crack at him when the merger happened or did he want to return to Port? If so they can seriously pat themselves on the back for the coup.

His centre square work and workrate was fantastic for a man his size. Not enough big blokes really put their bodys into the fray like he has been doing, clearing space, holding his ground and generally being a colossus for his smaller men to feed off. Felt sorry for Chris Scott who at nearly a foot shorter was the only Lion to try and match the physicality of Primus for the Lions.

Ive been very impressed with Primus since he tore Salmon apart last year, and on the pre-season form he really looks the key to Port.
For me at the minute, hes the best ruck in the league.

 

[Grave Danger]

Originally posted by Grendel:
Ive been very impressed with Primus since he tore Salmon apart last year, and on the pre-season form he really looks the key to Port.

Oooh yes, especially at the rate we keep losing big blokes. Barnaby French's turn tonight. Cain Ackland may have to come into the side earlier than first planned. I've been amazed how Port have kept ploughing on through losing all these blokes. It's comforting to know that Warren Tredrea won't be out for too long...

 

[carb70]

I would agree with that Grendal. Primus has been maginificent since he has taken the captaincy over and he now is the one player we cannot afford to lose with Lade breaking his leg. Infact I'm one Port supporter who thinks Lade is actually a better ruckman and better player around the ground than Primus . It would be great though if we could of had both of them playing for us this year.

The lions did have first crack at him but he wanted to come and play his football back in Adelaide. Actually Paxman was another Fitzroy player who came to Adelaide instead of Brisbane. I think we done better out of the Brisbane-Fitzroy merger than Brisbane did.

 

[lioness]

I have been a huge fan of Matty Primus since he started with Fitzroy, and he has gone on to become, I believe, the best ruckman in the game. Fully deserves the captaincy, he has a huge future ahead of him. Just wish he'd come north.

hehehe

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*the one and only lioness*

 

[WCE2000]

Primus is good, but i still think he has a bit to do to become number 1.
I would rate King and Allan are a fair way in front of a hole host of ruckman.
After those two it pretty much anyones guess - Primus, Gardiner, Ottens, Stafford, White, Barnes, Clarke, Rehn (?), Everitt, Darcy. The really's really nothing between that second bunch of players.

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[Guest]

Yes he's a very good ruckman, very strong and mobile.

Just one thing I must add though - in a ruck contest the ruckman has the option of punching, tapping or taking the ball from the contest. If the ruckman takes the ball from the throw up and fails to dispose of the ball it should be holding the ball, as the player has already had prior oportunity to do one of three things. I dont know how many times Primus got caught doing this.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Yeah, he is great at getting the ball but is found wanting when it comes to disposing of it. He certainly looks imposing but he still has to improve his all-round game.

 

[Red Rover]

I wouldn't rate him the best ruck in the league just yet. He would certainly figure in the top five and he will probably make a great captain. Last season the ruckmen contesting All-Australian honours were Steven King, John Barnes and Jeff White, and I also rate Matt Allan, Michael Gardiner and Greg Stafford as ruckmen of similar status to Primus.

Since the real season hasn't started yet, you still have to look at last season's performers. The number one ruckman is the All-Australian of 2000, Steven King. Sure by watching the Ansett Cup you may conclude that Primus could be the number one ruckman, but he hasn't proved anything because the Ansett Cup is round 0 and the real stars shine in the real season. Hell - Hirdy hasn't even pulled on the boots yet! (I'm not an Essendon supporter by the way.)

 

[gocatsgo]

Personally I don't think Steven King was the best ruckman in the league least season, clearly it was Barnesy. I only think that King got the honour because they wanted one Geelong player in the team as they had finished 5th after the H&A with no real standout player.

Let's be truthful here, Primus was one of Geelong's greatest blunders, that and recruiting Tim Hargreaves. He was on the Geelong list in 1992, but was overlooked in favour of Barnes and Steven Hooper. His Grand Father was 3 time Premiership coach Reg Hickey and should have always played for Geelong, but he didn't.

In it's last few seasons, Primus was about the only player that Fitzroy selected correctly, but when the merger happened, there was no way he was going to Brisbane, so port jumped.

I wouldn't say he is the BEST ruckman in the league, as he is still a little prone to injury. But who knows, in 12 months I might be eating my words.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by gocatsgo:
Personally I don't think Steven King was the best ruckman in the league least season, clearly it was Barnesy. I only think that King got the honour because they wanted one Geelong player in the team as they had finished 5th after the H&A with no real standout player.

That logic doesn't work for me. In 1997 Geelong finished second on the ladder (about 5 goals behind St Kilda on percentage) and do you know how many players made the All-Australian team?? No one.

Barnesy was good last year, but he did his best work around the ground finding space on a wing - not playing as a true ruckmen. King on the other hand did his best work at the traditional ruck contest in the centre and at boundary throw-ins, that was the difference.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

I think Jeff White has the edge over Primus in terms of mobility, athleticism and hand skills.

But I rate Primus as a class above the usual cattle in this position. He is miles ahead of the likes of Allan, Stafford, Porter, King, Keating et al.

John Barnes was probably the standout ruckman of last season, but he would be the first to admit that he probably played above himself for most of the year.

White is still my favourite, but Primus is a class act all the way as well.

Look out for Stephen Doyle for the Swans this year - this kid has had a good pre-season and looks set to make a great impression.

cheers

 

[CJH]

Another handy sort to watch out for this year is Brad Ottens! GEtting ready to the time when he will really step up inot the top flight!

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[footywidow]

In a word he is way not the best ruck going around. His game is to one dimentional.
He has had a few good pre seaon matches.
Barnes, King, White, Ottens and Rehn are far better all round rucks and team players.

 

[Mudholian]

Originally posted by footywidow:
In a word he is way not the best ruck going around. His game is to one dimentional.
He has had a few good pre seaon matches.
Barnes, King, White, Ottens and Rehn are far better all round rucks and team players.

Can't agree with the team player comments. Primus' leadership has been exceptional.
Mud

 

[Blues2001]

As a Blues fan you'd expect me to put Allan first, but I think he is third behind White and King. However this is only because of last year's injury setback because going in to last season he was the best in the league. I thought White should have got All Aust. last year, and I'd say with another good year he will establish himself as the best, unless Allan or King have a good one.

Bloodstained Angel, I doubt that Barnesy would say he played 'above' his talents last year. He could always play the game, he just needed a fresh start.

 

[windyhill]

Can not have Primus,lumbering,slow,always trying to umpire the game.Jeff White is clearly better than Primus.....He does crack the shits the best though,closely followed by silvagni.

 

[greggo]

Primus definitely has the edge over White if only in mental toughness. For gods sake, white bursts into tears if you shout at him loudly. Give me Primus anyday and twice on Sundays.

 

[Nod]

If White and Primus were running flat out towards each other ...which one would pull out first ?
Primus may not be the best technical ruckman in the AFL, but throw in his big heart and what appears to be strong leadership and you have a player every AFL club would love to have.