Richmond Ruck Situation 2021

Mar 1, 2010
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Firstly the Soldo injury - is tragic for the man and terrible timing. I don't want to sound insensitive but in my opinion it is not the worst thing that could happen to the Tiges 2020 hopes - Nank looked good last weekend - even tho he was against a below grade ruck oppo - and I think a Nank / Chol combo works well for us - better than Nank/Soldo. Nank is built for finals and Chol gives us flexibility.

Going forward into 2021 it also opens up a potential new way of managing our ruck stocks - given that with this injury we look likely to hold on to CCJ - we will have 3 good ruck options available at different stages throughout the year.

With ruckmen - I believe they work better fresh from a spell. They have more spring and have less niggles to carry - and can go harder for shorter bursts. So why not work our ruck crew in blocks of 4-5 games in combo with Chol. Rounds 1-5 - Nank. Rounds 6-10 - CCJ. Rounds 11-15 - Try dual CCJ/Nank (give Chol a break). Maybe Soldo back back late in the year - round 15 onwards hopefully.

It'd be made clear to the rucks what their blocks are and they can prep/recover accordingly - it allows them to go harder for shorter periods. It allows the coaches to see what works in time for finals 2021 and for season 2022. Added benefit is that also allows us to up the value of one of rucks for potential trade in 2022.

At the end of the day, Nank and CCJ and the others is what we need for 2021. At end of 2021, with a cat b rookie coming in to, we will be a far better position of what to do with our rucks then!!
 

Tiger1964

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Sep 14, 2020
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I agree option 1 is the preferred option. But if Nank gets injured which he has the last few years an missed big chunks of the season I would hate to see what Nic Nat would do to us if we went into that game with CCJ and Choi as are only two options. He would monster them and there is a few other teams that have monster ruck men that would be licking their lips knowing that they will be able to do the same. That's why I think Kruezer on a one year contact would be great. Play him in certain games where the match up is need. I Pray that Nank resigns his contract and stays injury free next year.
 
Mar 1, 2010
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I agree option 1 is the preferred option. But if Nank gets injured which he has the last few years an missed big chunks of the season I would hate to see what Nic Nat would do to us if we went into that game with CCJ and Choi as are only two options. He would monster them and there is a few other teams that have monster ruck men that would be licking their lips knowing that they will be able to do the same. That's why I think Kruezer on a one year contact would be great. Play him in certain games where the match up is need. I Pray that Nank resigns his contract and stays injury free next year.

And if Nick Nat monsters the replacement what a waste that would be. Only have to see how successful Jacobs was at GWS.

We need to keep looking at the future and can't compromise our development I think. I think Nank will hold up and we can look after him with management options
 

xInfected_Virus

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Apr 23, 2020
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I feel bad for Soldo. I reckon you guys could go after an older ready to contribute type ruck and give them a one year deal. Kreuzer would be perfect, he deserves one last hurrah and even play finals, if not Kreuzer as he's too injury prone (but I'm sure you can get his body right) then maybe Stefan Martin since he turns 34 in November and Brisbane may move him on for a more dominant tap ruck like Braydon Preuss who's a Queenslander and is good enough to play for an AFL team. Shane Mumford could also be a viable option if the Giants want to move on. Zac Clarke could also be a decent choice even though he's not very good but he'll cost nothing at least.
 

Charlie Pannam

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Aug 15, 2015
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I agree option 1 is the preferred option. But if Nank gets injured which he has the last few years an missed big chunks of the season I would hate to see what Nic Nat would do to us if we went into that game with CCJ and Choi as are only two options. He would monster them and there is a few other teams that have monster ruck men that would be licking their lips knowing that they will be able to do the same. That's why I think Kruezer on a one year contact would be great. Play him in certain games where the match up is need. I Pray that Nank resigns his contract and stays injury free next year.
Yer there’s some teams that you can’t get away with playing second string ruckman against.

You get smashed at stoppages and opposition teams can make you hurt on the scoreboard- in particular from centre ball ups and ruck contests deep in the forward 50
 

Tony Stark

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Oct 12, 2015
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I agree option 1 is the preferred option. But if Nank gets injured which he has the last few years an missed big chunks of the season I would hate to see what Nic Nat would do to us if we went into that game with CCJ and Choi as are only two options. He would monster them and there is a few other teams that have monster ruck men that would be licking their lips knowing that they will be able to do the same. That's why I think Kruezer on a one year contact would be great. Play him in certain games where the match up is need. I Pray that Nank resigns his contract and stays injury free next year.
More worried if Nank goes down this year to be honest, then we are in some strife.
 

YeOldTiger

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He might have retired but it does not mean he cannot change his mind, and what better incentive would he need to change his mind about retirement. Richmond the reigning Premiers offering him a one year contract and the possibility of playing finals, possibility of playing and winning 2021 Grand Final, not to mention playing one year with his bet friend and Richmond Captain Trent Cotchin. Now that would be hard to knock back, unless his body is completely shot.
His body is completely shot which is why he retired. Just stop this now.
 

YeOldTiger

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Jul 22, 2016
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FFS some cockamamie ideas here. With Rancey coming back it's obvious. Rance to FB and Balta into 2nd Ruck. There's more chance of this happening than us recruiting banged up plodders like Mumford or Kreuzer or Zac Clarke ! That's the sort of crap Essendon or Melbourne or North would pull.

We played GRIGG for chrissakes as a 2nd ruck and won a flag. If it's just to give the ruckman a rest then why waste a precious spot on the list when there's a good, albeit dumb kid in the wings chomping on a souvlaki. Five weeks into the season his supension will be over.

Kreuzer ! Gimme a break. Since when does this club give a toss for sentimental garbage like he's Cotch's best mate and he deserves a final. Waa waa waa. Were not a bloody charity.
 
Feb 4, 2008
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I think we have 3 options. Not sure what the right option is but think we will go with option 1 or 3.

Option 1
- Keep Nank
- Keep CJ
- Don’t bring anyone else in and hope that Nank doesn’t get injured leaving Chol to be the man until CJs suspension is over.

Option 2
- Keep Nank
- Keep CJ
- Bring in someone cheap as backup for if Nank got injured early in the year. This probably seems a bit too safe.

Option 3
- Keep Nank
- Trade CJ (If the deal is good)
- Bring in someone in as back up for 1 year knowing Soldo will be back in 2022 and Mate will have a year of development under his belt.

Right now we will be running with the following realistic 2021 options:

Nankervis - first choice specialist ruck
Chol - third choice specialist ruck. fighting for first choice second ruck/forward position with CCJ
Coleman-Jones - second choice specialist ruck, fighting for first choice second ruck/forward with Chol
Nyuon - still very much in development stage next year.

We definitely need to locate another backup specialist mature ruckman for next season, and not trade any of these players. My thought now would be to look for a cheapish 26-30+yo who is not quite good enough to be a first choice ruck, but can compete ok in the ruck, one year deal.

Who may be available for such a role? They need to be surplus to requirements at their club or able to possibly be prised away with a better one year deal than they would otherwise command.

Stef Martin - we are probably unlikely to be able to afford what he would want, worth asking the question.

Darcy Cameron - 25yo 205cm ruck who frankly doesnt look up to being a key forward and has noticeably struggled when in the ruck, will be behind Max Lynch for backup ruck at the Pies and behind Mason Cox for a forward berth. Could possibly fulfil the role we need for a season if we offered something better than the Pies can afford, if they even want him.

Tom Bellchambers - 31yo big body who knows the ropes, if he is finishing at the Bombers may be interested in one more season on our payroll as a backup.

Andrew Phillips - perennial handful of games per year player, so he knows the ropes in this role. Usually gets well beaten but may be able to step in for the few games he is likely to be needed by us.

Zac Smith - Think is is happy playing a similar role at the Suns, worth asking the question but unlikely.

Braydon Preuss - With Gawn in place and Jackson coming through and Bradtke developing as well I wonder if the Dees could be persuaded to depart with this bloke. Would be ideal, probably tough to get him though.

Ryan Abbott - 29yo. Sitting behind Ryder and Marshall at Saints and with 211cm former basketballer Alabakis entering his 3rd year on the list the Saints may not require Abbott.

Tom Hickey, Nathan Vardy. - Surely the Eagles won’t want one if this pair with the emergence of Bailey Williams. Eitehr could probably fulfil the role we need.

Not the most inspiring list but we need to find at least one of this type and level of player. Hopefully there is a guy out there somewhere who hasn’t played AFL who wants to have a crack at being a cult figure for a season.
 

G String

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Jan 3, 2008
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Right now we will be running with the following realistic 2021 options:

Nankervis - first choice specialist ruck
Chol - third choice specialist ruck. fighting for first choice second ruck/forward position with CCJ
Coleman-Jones - second choice specialist ruck, fighting for first choice second ruck/forward with Chol
Nyuon - still very much in development stage next year.

We definitely need to locate another backup specialist mature ruckman for next season, and not trade any of these players. My thought now would be to look for a cheapish 26-30+yo who is not quite good enough to be a first choice ruck, but can compete ok in the ruck, one year deal.

Who may be available for such a role? They need to be surplus to requirements at their club or able to possibly be prised away with a better one year deal than they would otherwise command.

Stef Martin - we are probably unlikely to be able to afford what he would want, worth asking the question.

Darcy Cameron - 25yo 205cm ruck who frankly doesnt look up to being a key forward and has noticeably struggled when in the ruck, will be behind Max Lynch for backup ruck at the Pies and behind Mason Cox for a forward berth. Could possibly fulfil the role we need for a season if we offered something better than the Pies can afford, if they even want him.

Tom Bellchambers - 31yo big body who knows the ropes, if he is finishing at the Bombers may be interested in one more season on our payroll as a backup.

Andrew Phillips - perennial handful of games per year player, so he knows the ropes in this role. Usually gets well beaten but may be able to step in for the few games he is likely to be needed by us.

Zac Smith - Think is is happy playing a similar role at the Suns, worth asking the question but unlikely.

Braydon Preuss - With Gawn in place and Jackson coming through and Bradtke developing as well I wonder if the Dees could be persuaded to depart with this bloke. Would be ideal, probably tough to get him though.

Ryan Abbott - 29yo. Sitting behind Ryder and Marshall at Saints and with 211cm former basketballer Alabakis entering his 3rd year on the list the Saints may not require Abbott.

Tom Hickey, Nathan Vardy. - Surely the Eagles won’t want one if this pair with the emergence of Bailey Williams. Eitehr could probably fulfil the role we need.

Not the most inspiring list but we need to find at least one of this type and level of player. Hopefully there is a guy out there somewhere who hasn’t played AFL who wants to have a crack at being a cult figure for a season.
Or rookie a VFL ruckman as a fallback - cheaper. At least to cover the first part of the season if Nank goes down and we're left with no speciailst ruck
 
Re-sign Nankervis and hope that he doesn't get another soft tissue injury that rules him out early in the year. Nankervis loves the responsibility of carrying the number 1 ruck mantle so will thrive when back in that role full time.
Chol starts season as the second ruck who can stretch the opposition back half as the extra tall forward, needs to continue to build his ability to remain involved in game when not getting his hands on the ball.
CCJ to come back 1/4 of the way into the season. Hopefully uses the time while suspended to continue to build his conditioning/strength and starts to put some real pressure on both Chol & Nankervis as he has all the tools to be our best ruck moving forward given he can compete in the hitouts, can clunk it around the ground and can also get disposals around the ground as well as hit the scoreboard when up forward.
 
We've got enough coming through and so long as we draft a ruckman this year we'll keep our ruck depth.

It's been said that we trade for our rucks anyway.

Don't stress. We won a flag in '17 with an unorthodox ruck set up and in any case provided they can compete around the ground we don't need to win the centre hitouts.
 

YeOldTiger

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Re-sign Nankervis and hope that he doesn't get another soft tissue injury that rules him out early in the year. Nankervis loves the responsibility of carrying the number 1 ruck mantle so will thrive when back in that role full time.
Chol starts season as the second ruck who can stretch the opposition back half as the extra tall forward, needs to continue to build his ability to remain involved in game when not getting his hands on the ball.
CCJ to come back 1/4 of the way into the season. Hopefully uses the time while suspended to continue to build his conditioning/strength and starts to put some real pressure on both Chol & Nankervis as he has all the tools to be our best ruck moving forward given he can compete in the hitouts, can clunk it around the ground and can also get disposals around the ground as well as hit the scoreboard when up forward.
This.
 

db26

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For me we need a backup.Nank got his issues injuries, Chol yet to be seen if his reliable for 4 qtrs and CCJ is out for first 7 games and Mate will be learning to risky to go without another one .Decent backup from wafl,sanfl,or vfl or off a clubs list.
 

living_in_syd

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May 2, 2009
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Soldo out will hurt more than people here think. He has been very good this year. His sheer size and his ability to take marks around the ground will be missed.

CCJ should be kept, I thought he was super impressive in the pre season games
one of most important players actually. Tall guys like cox we struggle because of height. Its our weakness.
 

Vassp

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Jun 30, 2018
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we lose clearances anyway, id back Chol, but he needs to get into the game a little bit more.
What chol loses in ruck he makes up for it in mobility
 
Why try to get some 'back up' ruck? We've got 2 already, backing Nank up.

Another won't help much.

You don't get guys that can compete with NicNat in the bargain basement bin for a one year contract.

Soldo out hurts a lot. But Nank can do a job. Chol of OK chop out. CCJ has the ability, and now has the strength, to be a good AFL ruck. That's as good as most if not all clubs.
 
1600126721407.png


If Chol can leap like this more often than not when in the ruck we'll be in good shape as there aren't many rucks that can leap like this.
 
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