As Toby Nankervis enters his age 32 season, it may be important to start a discussion on preparing for life after our captain. Ideally, in the next offseason we are able to target another talented ruck, whether that be through the draft (midseason, national or rookie), trade, or from within.
If Toby Nankveris goes down during the year we're in a lot of trouble. Any team would be losing their captain, but our ruck stocks are thin. Sims has shown flashes but again I don't necessarily see him ever being a full time ruck at his height. OHB had one big game in the VFL against a 194cm key forward who had to full time ruck, tricking the casual Richmond fan into believing he may be the future.
Some may still believe in Samson, the club still does, I don't.
In terms of draft options, I'm sure there'll be some state league players who's early season form next year may push them into midseason draft discussions. I feel like this thread may be a good place to follow some of them as they emerge.
12 months out from the national draft there are a few ruck prospects, potentially at the pointy end of the draft. Van Huttum is the obvious one, I don't know much about him yet but he's 202cm, athletic, and mentioned by draft watchers as the most likely at this stage. Houndsome is maybe more key forward, at 199cm, he was dominant in the HS Shield. van Rooyen and Herbert are other names I know nothing about, but tigs2010 has mentioned.
A common argument against to the idea of drafting CDT was that talented rucks are readily available, often for cheap. I wanted to have a look at some of the options this far out, but I assume if we're putting work into any of them, it will have started.
Alex Dodson is the obvious one, but I still think Adelaide is probably primed to grab him, followed by Port.
Nicholas Madden is another but you’d assume he gets a fair run at it this year for GWS. Academy player too.
Taylor Goad is highly rated by North fans, and with the 5 on the bench I could see North playing him with Xerri. But if not, he is a nice option.
Ned Reeves, tallest player in the comp, I wouldn’t be as keen on this pickup but could be a nice stopgap. Will win hit outs
Max Ramsden
Henry Smith
It'll be interesting to see this discussion develop as we begin to see how the new ruck rules have changed how we view rucks.
If Toby Nankveris goes down during the year we're in a lot of trouble. Any team would be losing their captain, but our ruck stocks are thin. Sims has shown flashes but again I don't necessarily see him ever being a full time ruck at his height. OHB had one big game in the VFL against a 194cm key forward who had to full time ruck, tricking the casual Richmond fan into believing he may be the future.
Some may still believe in Samson, the club still does, I don't.
In terms of draft options, I'm sure there'll be some state league players who's early season form next year may push them into midseason draft discussions. I feel like this thread may be a good place to follow some of them as they emerge.
12 months out from the national draft there are a few ruck prospects, potentially at the pointy end of the draft. Van Huttum is the obvious one, I don't know much about him yet but he's 202cm, athletic, and mentioned by draft watchers as the most likely at this stage. Houndsome is maybe more key forward, at 199cm, he was dominant in the HS Shield. van Rooyen and Herbert are other names I know nothing about, but tigs2010 has mentioned.
A common argument against to the idea of drafting CDT was that talented rucks are readily available, often for cheap. I wanted to have a look at some of the options this far out, but I assume if we're putting work into any of them, it will have started.
Alex Dodson is the obvious one, but I still think Adelaide is probably primed to grab him, followed by Port.
Nicholas Madden is another but you’d assume he gets a fair run at it this year for GWS. Academy player too.
Taylor Goad is highly rated by North fans, and with the 5 on the bench I could see North playing him with Xerri. But if not, he is a nice option.
Ned Reeves, tallest player in the comp, I wouldn’t be as keen on this pickup but could be a nice stopgap. Will win hit outs
Max Ramsden
Henry Smith
It'll be interesting to see this discussion develop as we begin to see how the new ruck rules have changed how we view rucks.
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