Preview R2: Changes vs. Western Bulldogs

[AFC979810]

A couple of points, I’m not against not playing a second ruck, I actually questioned not playing an extra runner. But McAndrew with 72% TOG looked absolutely spent at times, I don’t think he’s capable of playing more yet. The other rucks you mentioned are all experienced hardened rucks.

N Murray in the ruck would be ok, problem is he’s already done a knee and with Keane out, would we risk a KPD?

Tex can’t jump, attending CTU, you might as well hand the ball to the opposition mid for a clearance.

TT is an interesting one, you don’t rate rucking and yet you’re ok with risking our best player and best forward in ruck. That doesn’t sound consistent.

I reckon we are stuck with Murray in the short term. If we rest Tex for games then there’s isn’t an issue.

Thats a lot of cobbled arguments.

Why not run McAndrew 72% like he did against Collingwood and then spread the load amongst TT,Murray and Tex?

Tex can handle 4-5 stoppages inside 50. TT averaged 7 hitouts a game in 2025 - I was happy with his usage so why not the same in 2026? Throw Murray in for a few. I dont want TT as a ruckman half permanent ruckman - but 3-4 centre bounces a game isnt a big deal. He had 97 CBA's in 2025 - which was perfect and was still the AA KPF. He can do that again.

So once again you refuse to answer the question - why are we stuck with a 2nd ruckman and all those other teams aren't? Surely your whole argument isnt because poor McAndrew isn't 'hardened' enough. Bloke has been in the system since 2019.

 

[Elder van Berlo]

It's an interesting discussion with really clear arguments in both directions and not enough data to be able to draw any safe conclusions yet.

I reckon stick with what we did last week for this week v English and Darcy, then rest Tex for Geelong off consecutive 6-day breaks and see what it looks like with Toby as the 3rd tall forward/second ruck.

Then make a decision about where we go from there.

For this week, Rankine in for someone who doesn't deserve to be dropped. Probably Pedlar.

 

[FR0GGY]

Thats a lot of cobbled arguments.

Why not run McAndrew 72% like he did against Collingwood and then spread the load amongst TT,Murray and Tex?

Tex can handle 4-5 stoppages inside 50. TT averaged 7 hitouts a game in 2025 - I was happy with his usage so why not the same in 2026? Throw Murray in for a few. I dont want TT as a ruckman half permanent ruckman - but 3-4 centre bounces a game isnt a big deal. He had 97 CBA's in 2025 - which was perfect and was still the AA KPF. He can do that again.

So once again you refuse to answer the question - why are we stuck with a 2nd ruckman and all those other teams aren't? Surely your whole argument isnt because poor McAndrew isn't 'hardened' enough. Bloke has been in the system since 2019.

Would you agree that if we go in with any of tex or Murray against Darcy.
We may as well not contest the ruck?

 

[Velvet George]

Thats a lot of cobbled arguments.

Why not run McAndrew 72% like he did against Collingwood and then spread the load amongst TT,Murray and Tex?

Tex can handle 4-5 stoppages inside 50. TT averaged 7 hitouts a game in 2025 - I was happy with his usage so why not the same in 2026? Throw Murray in for a few. I dont want TT as a ruckman half permanent ruckman - but 3-4 centre bounces a game isnt a big deal. He had 97 CBA's in 2025 - which was perfect and was still the AA KPF. He can do that again.

So once again you refuse to answer the question - why are we stuck with a 2nd ruckman and all those other teams aren't? Surely your whole argument isnt because poor McAndrew isn't 'hardened' enough. Bloke has been in the system since 2019.

Did you watch the game? Surely you saw McAndrew absolutely buggered. He’s been in the system since 2019 but played 2 games of AFL before Saturday, was he lead ruck in those 2 games? I’m pretty sure I answered it, they are seasoned ruckman, used to carrying the load, do you disagree?

Yes TT rucked last year when the rucks weren’t jumping into each other. Seems odd you are prepared to risk our best player to win clearances when you don’t rate clearances. Seems highly contradictory.

 

[AFC979810]

No idea,

Huh? Surely it's pretty clear. Grundy 85% of the CBA's. Amartey 15% of the CBA's. Those were the two rucks.

I just went off the centre bounce attendance numbers off the afl app.
22,4,0 for those players, something doesn’t add up.

It adds up perfectly. As it does with all the clubs I showed you.

 

[Cromulant]

I can totally see why people dont want Filthy in the ruck, absolutely get it.

I just don't see Murray being there as a positive purely just to take that extra load off. The game is built of transition from the back half and as a side with midfield depth issues and some underdone players (for the moment) I just dont think leaving out that extra runner being the best idea.

 

[FR0GGY]

Huh? Surely it's pretty clear. Grundy 85% of the CBA's. Amartey 15% of the CBA's. Those were the two rucks.



It adds up perfectly. As it does with all the clubs I showed you.

The % adds up, but the centre bounce attendance stats don’t add up.

 

[Velvet George]

I can totally see why people dont want Filthy in the ruck, absolutely get it.

I just don't see Murray being there as a positive purely just to take that extra load off. The game is built of transition from the back half and as a side with midfield depth issues and some underdone players (for the moment) I just dont think leaving out that extra runner being the best idea.

We are stuck, imagine the consequences to our season if TT gets injured in the ruck?

 

[AFC979810]

Did you watch the game? Surely you saw McAndrew absolutely buggered. He’s been in the system since 2019 but played 2 games of AFL before Saturday, was he lead ruck in those 2 games? I’m pretty sure I answered it, they are seasoned ruckman, used to carrying the load, do you disagree?

Watched it twice. He was tired. Probably because we chose to play a 2nd ruck in Toby Murray who was so terrible that we had to sit him on the bench for over 75% of the game because we couldn't risk him f*cking up the game for us. How many ruck contests did T Murray attend in the 2nd half against Collingwood? 8. F*** 8. You gonna tell me TT, Walker and Murray couldn't have taken 4 ruck contests each in that 2nd half and that would have given McAndrew a shit load more rest.

Yes TT rucked last year when the rucks weren’t jumping into each other. Seems odd you are prepared to risk our best player to win clearances when you don’t rate clearances. Seems highly contradictory.

No I have explained it clearly. I am fine with TT having a few ruck contests each game. Just like I was last year. Spread the load. Get creative. Rucks dont really matter so carry McAndrew and then give him enough rest.

Use Tex inside 50. Use Murray inside defensive 50. Use McAndrew in the middle and pinch hit with TT when necessary.

Once again - Sydney, Collingwood, Brisbane, GC, Bulldogs are all doing it -why can't we.

 

[Cromulant]

We are stuck, imagine the consequences to our season if TT gets injured in the ruck?

For sure.

Its not a great situation to be in, and if Murray doesnt work out we'll end up needing to find another solution.

Hard ask for Toby but he needs to step up to make it a viable option.

 

[crows dude]

My preference is definitely to use Thilthorpe for the extra.
We are playing him in there anyway so the “taking him out of the forwardline” argument doesn’t stack up.

Do we have to have a Ruckman. Is it illegal not to have one at centre bounce. Just play Thilthorpe and the 3 mids when McAndrew rests. Just allow English to grab the ball and then tackle him.

 

[FR0GGY]

Do we have to have a Ruckman. Is it illegal not to have one at centre bounce. Just play Thilthorpe and the 3 mids when McAndrew rests. Just allow English to grab the ball and then tackle him.

Would be an interesting experiment once or twice, I suspect he’d punch the **** out of it.

 

[AFC979810]

The % adds up, but the centre bounce attendance stats don’t add up.

Huh?

They do. 15+85 =100.

26 CBA's in the Sydney match. Grundy attended 22 of them (84.62%). Amartey attended 4 of the em (15.38%).

This is the most simple math.

 

[Velvet George]

Watched it twice. He was tired. Probably because we chose to play a 2nd ruck in Toby Murray who was so terrible that we had to sit him on the bench for over 75% of the game because we couldn't risk him f*cking up the game for us. How many ruck contests did T Murray attend in the 2nd half against Collingwood? 8. F*** 8. You gonna tell me TT, Walker and Murray couldn't have taken 4 ruck contests each in that 2nd half and that would have given McAndrew a shit load more rest.



No I have explained it clearly. I am fine with TT having a few ruck contests each game. Just like I was last year. Spread the load. Get creative. Rucks dont really matter so carry McAndrew and then give him enough rest.

Use Tex inside 50. Use Murray inside defensive 50. Use McAndrew in the middle and pinch hit with TT when necessary.

Once again - Sydney, Collingwood, Brisbane, GC, Bulldogs are all doing it -why can't we.

Look now you’re arguing for the sake of it. You can ask about why those other teams can do it an we can’t all you want, but you’re ignoring the obvious answer, I’ve mentioned it now what 2-3 times? It’s bloody obvious, they are seasoned AFL ruckman, McAndrew isn’t. You’ve just bagged lower leagues like the SANFL again, well McAndrew has been playing in a similar league since 2019, it doesn’t matter how long he’s been in the system.

And you’ve just ignored the ruck rule changes again, comparing what TT did last year is irrelevant. Now rucks are jumping at each other. The fact you’re prepared to risk our best player to win clearances you don’t rate, says it all.

 

[BRL121]

Watched it twice. He was tired. Probably because we chose to play a 2nd ruck in Toby Murray who was so terrible that we had to sit him on the bench for over 75% of the game because we couldn't risk him f*cking up the game for us. How many ruck contests did T Murray attend in the 2nd half against Collingwood? 8. F*** 8. You gonna tell me TT, Walker and Murray couldn't have taken 4 ruck contests each in that 2nd half and that would have given McAndrew a shit load more rest.



No I have explained it clearly. I am fine with TT having a few ruck contests each game. Just like I was last year. Spread the load. Get creative. Rucks dont really matter so carry McAndrew and then give him enough rest.

Use Tex inside 50. Use Murray inside defensive 50. Use McAndrew in the middle and pinch hit with TT when necessary.

Once again - Sydney, Collingwood, Brisbane, GC, Bulldogs are all doing it -why can't we.

Tex gave up forward rucking some time ago, for whatever reason. He won't be taking it up again.

 

[CDC60]

It's clear, despite a recent three year contract that we've moved on from BOB for McAndrew. If Mac is injured it will have to be BOB back in. TT as a ruck rover, but never as a ruck, seems to be the decision. So we need someone to play ruck and give another option around 30 percent of game time. Murray had a very poor game but we need to see if that's as good as he can produce. He was chosen over Maley and deserves a couple more games at least to prove he's good enough.

 

[AFC979810]

Do we have to have a Ruckman. Is it illegal not to have one at centre bounce. Just play Thilthorpe and the 3 mids when McAndrew rests. Just allow English to grab the ball and then tackle him.

Yup - you need one. Doesn't have to be a good one, but you need one to at least make a contest.

If you dont think you need a ruckman - watch our final against Essendon in 2009.

 

[Mutineer]

Do we have to have a Ruckman. Is it illegal not to have one at centre bounce. Just play Thilthorpe and the 3 mids when McAndrew rests. Just allow English to grab the ball and then tackle him.

With English;s massive height advantage unless it was Thilthorpe tackling him he'd likely get his hands over the top of the tackle and give off to one of their mids outside the contest.

 

[Jarman3]

I'd drop Laird for Rankine, but we all know that won't happen. I suspect Pedlar might be the unlucky one to miss out.

I wouldn't mind dropping T Murray instead and keeping Pedlar in alongside Rankine,and using Thilthorpe as the chop out ruck. But I don't want him spending 30% of the game doing that and not sure if McAndrew is capable of putting in more minutes. So either persist with Murray - and part of me thinks it's harsh to drop a player immediately after debut, give him another week with fewer nerves - or otherwise consider bringing back ROB to play as the backup ruck instead of first ruck.

 

[Crow till I die]

In: Rankine
Out: Bond

Harsh on Bond I reckon, but we have the flexibility to work him out of the side (Cook or Cumming to HBF, Ah Chee to wing)

Persist with Turray

What about Maley. He seemed to show a bit in preseason and can clunk marks so could be a pinch hitter up forward too

 

[AFC979810]

Look now you’re arguing for the sake of it. You can ask about why those other teams can do it an we can’t all you want, but you’re ignoring the obvious answer, I’ve mentioned it now what 2-3 times? It’s bloody obvious, they are seasoned AFL ruckman, McAndrew isn’t.

Well apologies - because George mentioned it 2-3 the matter is settled.

You have been wrong about our ruck situation the past two years.

Do I need to remind you of 2025 and what happened? Remember ROB sucks - he got dropped- he wasn't top 10 B&F. Then we win 18 games, ROB isnt dropped, Top 10 in B&F???

You’ve just bagged lower leagues like the SANFL again, well McAndrew has been playing in a similar league since 2019, it doesn’t matter how long he’s been in the system.

SANFL sucks. McAndrews 2nd place in the SANFL B&F means nothing. Same as Strachan's 1st place meant nothing.

The fact is that McAndrew has been in the system for 7 years. Thats 7 years of weights, internal practice and maturity. This isnt some 19 year old kid. This is a 26 year old man. Now sure - the AFL grind might get to him around round 10-15 thats when we bring in ROB and give him a break.

And you’ve just ignored the ruck rule changes again, comparing what TT did last year is irrelevant. Now rucks are jumping at each other. The fact you’re prepared to risk our best player to win clearances you don’t rate, says it all.

Don't have him in the Centre bounce where the risk is. Use Murray or Tex for those. Use him around the ground in rucks where the injury risk is minimized.

Jeez - you could not have gotten this ruck situation more wrong.

 

[AFC979810]

Tex gave up forward rucking some time ago, for whatever reason. He won't be taking it up again.

Had 23 hitouts in the first 10 rounds of last season. Perfect bloke to be the sacrificial lamb IMO.

 

[Velvet George]

Well apologies - because George mentioned it 2-3 the matter is settled.

You have been wrong about our ruck situation the past two years.

Do I need to remind you of 2025 and what happened? Remember ROB sucks - he got dropped- he wasn't top 10 B&F. Then we win 18 games, ROB isnt dropped, Top 10 in B&F???



SANFL sucks. McAndrews 2nd place in the SANFL B&F means nothing. Same as Strachan's 1st place meant nothing.

The fact is that McAndrew has been in the system for 7 years. Thats 7 years of weights, internal practice and maturity. This isnt some 19 year old kid. This is a 26 year old man. Now sure - the AFL grind might get to him around round 10-15 thats when we bring in ROB and give him a break.



Don't have him in the Centre bounce where the risk is. Use Murray or Tex for those. Use him around the ground in rucks where the injury risk is minimized.

Jeez - you could not have gotten this ruck situation more wrong.

Yeah, reckon I’ll go back to letting you continue to argue this with everyone else, clearly just trolling now

 

[AFC979810]

Yeah, reckon I’ll go back to letting you continue to argue this with everyone else, clearly just trolling now

Jeez - Pot meet kettle.

And happy for you to concede. You were presenting a rather shitty argument.

 

[FR0GGY]

Huh?

They do. 15+85 =100.

26 CBA's in the Sydney match. Grundy attended 22 of them (84.62%). Amartey attended 4 of the em (15.38%).

This is the most simple math.

I see my error, I had 33 goals in the match not 23.