- Aug 6, 2021
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- AFL Club
- Adelaide
Reilly O’Brien vs. Keiran Strachan
If this thread already exists then I apologise, however I could not find one. I’ve seen on a few threads theres debate about whether ROB or Strachan should be our number one ruck moving forward and I thought it deserves its own thread. My thoughts are that plenty of supporters have been enticed by the new shiny thing and have forgotten just what ROB brings to the side and thought it needed some more in depth analysis:
Disclaimer: I don’t get to watch much SANFL so my opinions are based on what they’ve done in the AFL side.
O’Brien
Strengths:
Work rate, intensity and contested ball - ROB is known to be an elite runner and plays with intensity and aggression. He ranks above average in contested possessions, ground ball gets and clearances. This means as a ruck he provides relief for the midfield as he is an extra inside ball winner.
Intercept and contested marking - ROB ranks as elite for contested marking and intercept marking. In today’s game having a ruck who can be relied on to to cut off opposition kicks, particularly inside defensive 50 is a huge tactical advantage defensively.
Weaknesses:
Disposal - ROB takes a while to get rid of the ball and struggles to hit much more than a basic handball or kick down the line. Although he generally makes good decisions and plays within his limitations he can’t be relied on to get involved in uncontested forward movements. Despite his elite aerobic capacity he is ranked average in uncontested possessions.
Areas for improvement:
Ruckwork - this is an area Strachan currently has over ROB but there is room for improvement. Although his hit out win percentage is average he still ranks above average in hit outs to advantage percentage. If he can become more versatile in terms of his tap work and get more creative like a Gawn or Goldstein then he will be an elite ruck.
Strachan
Strengths:
Ruckwork - Strachan has an elite hit out to advantage percentage and to the eye he appears to be a very creative ruckman, capable of giving much better service to our mids then ROB.
Uncontested play - Unlike ROB, Strachan is a capable option for handball receives and getting involved in forward movements. He ranks as elite for uncontested possessions and ground ball gets.
Weaknesses:
Marking: Strachan is only ranked average for contested marking and intercept marking.
Areas for improvement:
Kicking - Strachan undoubtedly has a better kicking technique and ability than ROB, despite this, his kicking efficiency is below average. With experience Strachan should learn to make better decisions with ball in hand to ensure that his superior kicking ability is utilised effectively.
Verdict:
At this point I think ROB is still our best option for a ruckman, his superior marking and work around stoppages after the tap puts him narrowly ahead. However, he needs to continue to work on his tap work otherwise Strachan will overtake him. Also, there is no need for him to play injured or out of form, as soon as ROB picks up a niggle or his form dips then Strachan needs to be given an opportunity.
If this thread already exists then I apologise, however I could not find one. I’ve seen on a few threads theres debate about whether ROB or Strachan should be our number one ruck moving forward and I thought it deserves its own thread. My thoughts are that plenty of supporters have been enticed by the new shiny thing and have forgotten just what ROB brings to the side and thought it needed some more in depth analysis:
Disclaimer: I don’t get to watch much SANFL so my opinions are based on what they’ve done in the AFL side.
O’Brien
Strengths:
Work rate, intensity and contested ball - ROB is known to be an elite runner and plays with intensity and aggression. He ranks above average in contested possessions, ground ball gets and clearances. This means as a ruck he provides relief for the midfield as he is an extra inside ball winner.
Intercept and contested marking - ROB ranks as elite for contested marking and intercept marking. In today’s game having a ruck who can be relied on to to cut off opposition kicks, particularly inside defensive 50 is a huge tactical advantage defensively.
Weaknesses:
Disposal - ROB takes a while to get rid of the ball and struggles to hit much more than a basic handball or kick down the line. Although he generally makes good decisions and plays within his limitations he can’t be relied on to get involved in uncontested forward movements. Despite his elite aerobic capacity he is ranked average in uncontested possessions.
Areas for improvement:
Ruckwork - this is an area Strachan currently has over ROB but there is room for improvement. Although his hit out win percentage is average he still ranks above average in hit outs to advantage percentage. If he can become more versatile in terms of his tap work and get more creative like a Gawn or Goldstein then he will be an elite ruck.
Strachan
Strengths:
Ruckwork - Strachan has an elite hit out to advantage percentage and to the eye he appears to be a very creative ruckman, capable of giving much better service to our mids then ROB.
Uncontested play - Unlike ROB, Strachan is a capable option for handball receives and getting involved in forward movements. He ranks as elite for uncontested possessions and ground ball gets.
Weaknesses:
Marking: Strachan is only ranked average for contested marking and intercept marking.
Areas for improvement:
Kicking - Strachan undoubtedly has a better kicking technique and ability than ROB, despite this, his kicking efficiency is below average. With experience Strachan should learn to make better decisions with ball in hand to ensure that his superior kicking ability is utilised effectively.
Verdict:
At this point I think ROB is still our best option for a ruckman, his superior marking and work around stoppages after the tap puts him narrowly ahead. However, he needs to continue to work on his tap work otherwise Strachan will overtake him. Also, there is no need for him to play injured or out of form, as soon as ROB picks up a niggle or his form dips then Strachan needs to be given an opportunity.