The Ruck Question

[BruceFromBalnarring]

..........or perhaps further advice to Horse.

Mate I tell you if Mumford breaks down I will never ever forgive you. A bloke that size cannot run around on today's harder grounds all bloody day without wrecking his knees. Play Pyke (or even Currie). Swap them deep in the forward line (so you don't use a bench player) and force the likes of Scarlett to be fully accountable.

You have White out at CHF creating a big hole behind him for Reid to lead in to and if that is covered you have a monster at the top of the square who can at least bring it to ground. There is not a defence in the comp who could cover a forward setup like that particularly when you have O'Keefe and Goodes drifting in too.

Footy really should not be that difficult to work out.

 

[Swans120]

The logic of using White as a CHF would be fine if not for Sammy Reid. He looks the more natural forward with the way he leads and marks and consequently, looks a natural CHF.

At 19yo I see a greater future for him at that position than I do Jesse. But if we were to use Sammy deep forward I don't think he'd be much of a threat atm given how skinny he is. He will get stronger certainly but most of his marks this year have come from being able to get a run up to the ball and leap at it, rather than standing in a one on one, flat footed against his opponent. Plus the extra bulk of Jesse a little deeper can come in handy even when he doesn't mark it (see some of his play late last year that allowed TDL to become a consistent scoring option).

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

No question as far as Reid is concerned. He is among the best forward prospects in the league. But as you point out, he is only 19 (God help him). And in time he may well become one of the best CHF's around. But I am talking about now, and you don't stick a 19yo kid at CHF, as talented as he is, because you'll destroy him. CHF is about the most physically taxing position there is. Look at Brereton, Carey, and now Brown. Careers (brilliant as they were) over before their time.

Ideally you'd have Reid on a flank but with O'Keefe or Goodes on the other you wind up top heavy. So I think playing Reid as a third tall out of the goal square can give him time to develop whilst still causing problems for opposition defences.

 

[TRAWP]

I would rather see Seaby play up Forward to be honest as he was a decent forward with the Eagles. White get dominates in the Ruck and is no point having him there.

 

[RUNVS]

I am a bit worried that we are running Mumford into the ground. I think Longmire should seriously consider bringing in either Pyke or Seaby to support Mumford so he doesn't need to spend 95% of the game in the ruck.

 

[CAS79]

I am a bit worried that we are running Mumford into the ground. I think Longmire should seriously consider bringing in either Pyke or Seaby to support Mumford so he doesn't need to spend 95% of the game in the ruck.

I second that opinion. Everett swing up forward against the Eagles and than a nothing game against the cats is suggesting that we don't have a position for him at the moment up the back line and is surplus to requirement up back. Johnson, only second gamer as it is looks just as comfortable at the man on man stuff up back as Everett on a third option.

Pyke was given a spot on the senior list and there is a role for him to play.

 

[Swans120]

I'm tending to agree with those talking about Pyke. His athleticism is what I think could be a great asset to us. Whether up forward or in the ruck. And from what we're hearing from the 2's reports, his goal kicking, marking and general smarts in the forward 50 have improved greatly. But mainly, we need to take the load off of Mummy's shoulders. He surely cannot take this strain all year.

I'd rather being forced to play 2 ruckmen and rest Mummy during games than be forced to play without him later in the year due to him being completely exhausted and or injured.

I do think the coaches will stick with the White/Reid combo for a few more weeks at least though.

 

[Aardvark]

White out. Pyke in.

 

[Crackers27]

I'm going to echo the general thoughts of this thread and say that Seaby/Pyke needs to come in to give Mummy a rest during games. Honestly, i'd prefer Seaby come in as I think he'd be more dangerous up forward, but wouldn't mind if it was Pyke.

 

[RUNVS]

White out. Pyke in.

Agreed. Then Longmire can move Everitt forward replacing White. I don't think Everitt is a natural forward but i do think he can provide a contest and in current form i think he will be more valuable up forward than White has been.

 

[Swans120]

I think Everitt is a more natural forward than defender. Someone suggested it before, but I think he could really flourish if he played on the HFF in the role that ROK made famous from 2003-2007. He has good hands in the marking contest from what I've seen so far and is athletic as they come.

I just don't trust him down back as a pure defender or a rebounding one. I know he has been filling a need for us somewhat due to Tadhg, LRT and Mal being injured but as Tadhg is back now and LRT is in the 2's again, I don't seem him as being necessary down there.

 

[grimlock]

The second ruck position is now more a forward who can ruck rather than a ruckman being rated forward. If you play Mummy say for 75% in the ruck then it follows that the second ruckman will have to spend easily over 50% as a forward. This should have been Seaby's spot to lose given it's similar to the role he played as Cox's understudy for many years but for whatever reason hebhas been underwhelming up forward

Pyke spent 65% in the forward line in the last ressies game according to Playfair which was a different role to the previous home game against gws where he was more of a ruckman. I still think Pyke has a lot to learn playing as a forward but he has shown improvement in areas such as where to lead and most importantly he has improved his set shots. In addition, in terms of pure tapwork I think he could be the best at the club beating everyone including Mumford

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

Pyke spent 65% in the forward line in the last ressies game according to Playfair which was a different role to the previous home game against gws where he was more of a ruckman. I still think Pyke has a lot to learn playing as a forward but he has shown improvement in areas such as where to lead and most importantly he has improved his set shots. In addition, in terms of pure tapwork I think he could be the best at the club beating everyone including Mumford

The rate of Pyke's continued improvement has been extraordinary. Admittedly I'm going on reports from the Ressies this year rather than my own eyes. A ruck/forward combination of Mumford and Pyke looks potentially devastating, but they really do have to play both.

 

[TheMase]

Pykes upswing has been incredible. I am absolutely excited about a Mumford/Pyke ruck-forward duo at some point in the near future. He is still getting better and better. Amazingly talented guy.

 

[vonn]

I have no idea what we're doing to Mumford.

 

[Tuco]

The second ruckman needs to be able to spend quality time in the forward line - ie: he has to either kick goals or help create them. The question mark over Pyke is whether he is up to this job. But I'd love it if this was true. We know Seaby can kick a goal. But the question mark over him is whether he has the mobility to move around the ground as he'd need to the way the game is now going.

White for all his problems can kick a goal, can move around the ground, can provide a target (or at least should be able to), and at his best he's capable of holding his man to a draw in the centre square (although clearly he's a way off being a genuine winner as a ruckman).

Lots to think about. But I agree with others that this is the time of the year for the coaches to try a few things, I'd have thought.

 

[Swans120]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tall-order-for-sydney-swans/story-e6frf9jf-1226044638673

Longmire says he will use Mummy, Jesse and Pyke or Seaby all in one game again at some stage this year. Perhaps this week.

Also suggests Rohan might be forced to play 2's this week given he has only played 78 minutes of football over the last 3 weeks.

 

[grimlock]

I like how the reporter uses the phrase '3 weeks' instead of '2 games' in order to add weight to his argument. Rohan is dynamic in the wet and I would prefer him to Jetta at the moment.

 

[BarneyBent]

I like how the reporter uses the phrase '3 weeks' instead of '2 games' in order to add weight to his argument.

The number of games is quite irrelevant, the point is that over an extended period of time, Rohan has played very little footy, and needs to get some match practice up. If we hadn't had the bye, he might have had the opportunity to get a bigger game in, and it wouldn't be the problem, but the fact that he played two games as sub and then had a week off means he needs a spell in the 2s to get some match fitness back.

 

[db swannie]

I think one advantage of Pyke are his defensive capabilities. He could be rotated down back.

 

[barry fu]

I think one advantage of Pyke are his defensive capabilities. He could be rotated down back.

Disagree DB, he is fV<king frightening down there. Forward if anywhere other than centre bounce bound.

 

[BIGBEZ]

from reports Pykes not a bad kick at goal, can take a grab and his height and strength would trouble backmen, can take a bit of pressure from Mummy, Seaby is still a spud

 

[db swannie]

Disagree DB, he is fV<king frightening down there. Forward if anywhere other than centre bounce bound.

You take too much mescalin Fu. I could be wrong, but I thought he played down back a bit for us early last year in fits and starts and did ok. Why I think he could be good down back is that he's great overhead, plus very strong and fast. Plonk him on the full forward and tell him NEVER try to kick in after a behind.

 

[BIGBEZ]

Horse has hinted that he would like to see a 3 pronged ruck and forward set up of Mummy, White, and one of Seaby or Pyke as early as this friday night to stretch Carltons defense. He also said he would like to leave Jesse at FF.


edit: just saw Swans120's link

 

[SM]

Horse has hinted that he would like to see a 3 pronged ruck and forward set up of Mummy, White, and one of Seaby or Pyke as early as this friday night to stretch Carltons defense. He also said he would like to leave Jesse at FF.


edit: just saw Swans120's link

Thank ****.