Ruckmen

[The Dr]

So am i right in saying we did not select one ruckman in the National, Pre-season and rookie drafts?

Is that an oversight?

 

[RandB]

Wouldn't say it is an oversight but it is a bit of a worry. Spencer is on the rookie list so we are stuck with two until he gets promoted I guess, unless Meesen gets his act together.

 

[saj_21]

We have messen and spencer as back ups, not ideal i know but they are there none the less. The direction Bailey has taken with drafting is going with youth and selecting the best player available (2008 draft 5 mid-size players) not a needs basis as we have done in the past (Molan).

 

[Australia]

Banking on Spencer and Paul Johnson. Not so bad, a good tap ruckman and Johnson is amazing below his knees.

 

[Colin Grigson]

It is another area we do need to address at some stage, probably next draft. Unfortunately, we had a number of more pressing problems that needed to be addressed, i.e. skillful running players, and key forwards...

I think Jamar & Johnson can hold the fort for next year, and maybe Spencer can step up if needed, Steff Martin can probably be thrown into the ruck if required too... I don't think Meesen will be offered a new contract on what he's shown so far. I don't think its such a critical concern at the moment, but i think we'll need to look at a ruck prospect or two next draft, because Jamar & P. Johnson is not exactly an imposing ruck combo on paper IMO...

 

[StingaArmstrong]

It is another area we do need to address at some stage, probably next draft. Unfortunately, we had a number of more pressing problems that needed to be addressed, i.e. skillful running players, and key forwards...

I think Jamar & Johnson can hold the fort for next year, and maybe Spencer can step up if needed, Steff Martin can probably be thrown into the ruck if required too... I don't think Meesen will be offered a new contract on what he's shown so far. I don't think its such a critical concern at the moment, but i think we'll need to look at a ruck prospect or two next draft, because Jamar & P. Johnson is not exactly an imposing ruck combo on paper IMO...

Neither are Simon Taylor/Brent Renouf/Robert Campbell, but it worked for the Hawks. I'd rather have great players around competitive ruckman, then spuds around a great ruckman.

 

[AFL is Number One]

Don't worry . They reckon that The Meese has been training the house down, so...we will have no probs re the ruck .

 

[Swampfox]

Both Meeson and Spencer have the athletic and physical attributes required

Spencer is going to take some time which is the norm for one so young

Meeson on the other hand should be taking the next step this season otherwise his oppurtunity at AFL level will be over

Good Ruckmen dont grow on trees

The last good one was Simon Maddern and that was years ago

I dont even rate Cox or Sandilands but they are head and shoulders above the other lacklustre talls playing the position these days

Developing a good ruckman in this era is going to be an important advantage

Picking up a Tall just beacuse of height with nothing else to offer is a low percentage decision IMO

One of the reasons MFC didnt pick a NQR ruckman this time around

 

[hulld]

Bailey and all of melbourne would know how good PJ actually is. Next season he will be in the top 5 most improved players in the league.

 

[The Dr]

I agree with most of the comments here in that PJ and Jamar are decent ruckmen with scope for improvement, and that having a dominant ruck combination doesn't = a flag.

BUT

What happens if one of them, or heaven forbid, both of them get injured at the same time? Sure Meese or Spencer or Martin could do a decent fill-in job, but if PJ and Jamar are off the park at the same time, we are really gonna struggle in the ruck.

Just thought we might be able to pick up another ruckman if we had the chance to give us another fall-back option this year if it all goes downhill.

Fingers crossed PJ and the Russian keep fit!

 

[Colin Grigson]

Neither are Simon Taylor/Brent Renouf/Robert Campbell, but it worked for the Hawks. I'd rather have great players around competitive ruckman, then spuds around a great ruckman.

Ottens/King, Dean Cox, Brendon Lade, Charman/Keating were all influential in recent premiership wins. Ottens was close to Norm Smith Medal in 07. I think having a dominant ruckman gives you a big advantage in a grand final, as there tends to be a lot more one-on-ones & close-in contested situations in and around the stoppages than in other games.

If you can have a ruckman that can either knock the ball beyond the pack to advantage, or palm down to a midfieder in heavy traffic, then it definately gives you an advantage where the roving midfield players are not getting a free run at it...

Having said that, i think you can always trade a first round pick for a top ruckman later down the track, when teams find themselves with more quality ruckman than they need. I don't think its a major priority to be blooding lots of ruckmen at this stage. I'd rather just use a draft pick to get a ruckman that's ready to go when we're becoming a flag threat. I do think Jamar & Johnson can do a reasonable job, until we get the opportunity to trade for a better ruckman..