Ruckman , A Dying Breed ?

[IDGAF]

Quite interesting to see the amount of ruckman that have been disgarded by thier clubs this year . I don`t remember such a cull of big men in recent history . Especially seeings in times previous they have been seen as critical to any teams success .

Do you think that this is merely a coincidence or do you think that in the modern game , coaches today do not see them as an important part in the teams make up ?

Take Brad Ottens for example . Dominated hit-outs , contested marks and hard ball gets , to such an extent that if you looked at his stats alone you would think he have been one of the brownlow medal favourites , but we all know how he went , both himself and the team .

What are your thoughts ?

 

[Weaver]

This shapes as the best draft for ruckmen ever. Could easily be 10 guys taken between the draft proper and the rookie list. So clubs cleaning out space for them is not a suprise.

Also haven't been that many culled. Ricky Mott, Steve McKee, David Loats, Mark Porter, Cain Ackland, Ben Marsh and James Meiklejohn. Can't really say any of them are a suprise. Porter was the only one capable of getting a senior game.

 

[JohnF]

A good ruckman is still worth his weight in gold. But he has to be able to do more than just win hitouts or fumble with the ball on the ground after dropping a mark of failing to grab the ball cleanly (the standard Ottens play).

He has to have footy nous and be competant when the ball is on the deck as well as being able to take marks up forward.

Players of this calibre e.g. Luke Darcy, Josh Frazier, are very valuable contributors to their teams.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

The success of Brisbane and the Saints using 2nd rate ruckman certainly has put the value of a Ruckman in a side down a cog or 2.
Having a great midfeild is the key.
Look at the hawks.a top ruckman in Everitt yet they have the worst midfeild in the AFL.
A great Ruckman + an ok Midfeild you can almost get away with.


cheers!

 

[Bojangles17]

Quite interesting to see the amount of ruckman that have been disgarded by thier clubs this year . I don`t remember such a cull of big men in recent history . Especially seeings in times previous they have been seen as critical to any teams success .

Do you think that this is merely a coincidence or do you think that in the modern game , coaches today do not see them as an important part in the teams make up ?

Take Brad Ottens for example . Dominated hit-outs , contested marks and hard ball gets , to such an extent that if you looked at his stats alone you would think he have been one of the brownlow medal favourites , but we all know how he went , both himself and the team .

What are your thoughts ?

my thoughts are that Brisbane , Stkilda and now Port have debunked the theory that every good side needs a first rate ruckman....They have all succeeded with ruckman that are little more than Bums...with class midfields making them look good...We can take the lead from this by investing our returns on ottens in midfielders...

 

[Weaver]

my thoughts are that Brisbane , Stkilda and now Port have debunked the theory that every good side needs a first rate ruckman....They have all succeeded with ruckman that are little more than Bums...with class midfields making them look good...We can take the lead from this by investing our returns on ottens in midfielders...

Is a good midfield better than a good ruckman? Of course. You have to remember though that you are measuring 6-8 players against 1.

We can't turn pick 16 into 6 midfielders but we can turn it into 1 ruckman.