The Rus man cometh

[Old Spice]

Streets ahead?? Averaging just over 2 goals a game is hardly streets ahead.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

MDC and Smiddaz seem to be missing the point. Noone in here is saying that Rusling is better than Anthony or that he should take his place - just that he is a different type of player. Noone is saying he is as good as fev, just that he is more similar in 'type' to fev than anthony is. Yes fev kicked more goals early in his career, he's one of the best ffs to come into the comp for 20 years.

I think every poster is simply pointing out rusling's potential to play in a forward line WITH anthony. Most are also saying this should be next year. Anthony is a good player and IMO better than rusling. Not every "rusling will be good as a full forward for the pies" remark has to be followed by "as if anthony is not better". That is simply illogical.

 

[Pie eyed]

I am only saying, if he comes up we should have him ready to come in if we need him.
This would entail at least one game in the AFL I reckon.
With only only 3 games this limits our options.
Tigers would be considered the most likely win, but his fitness would be too low.
Play him in the VFL, a full game, if he survives a game in the AFL V Swans. He has played well aginst them before and there defence is a little weakened.

Thoughts?

 

[mdc]

I think every poster is simply pointing out rusling's potential to play in a forward line WITH anthony. Most are also saying this should be next year. Anthony is a good player and IMO better than rusling. Not every "rusling will be good as a full forward for the pies" remark has to be followed by "as if anthony is not better". That is simply illogical.

Of course it does. Just like "Rusling will be good as a full back" will inevitably be followed by "Presti is better".

If you're bringing him in to play FF, he must necessarily replace Anthony as the full-forward, correct? Which means Anthony is moved to a pocket or flank.

So the essential question is: Is it likely that Rusling(FF)/Anthony(FP) will work better than Anthony(FF)/Dick(FP) (or whoever Rusling would be replacing). That is precisely what you have to consider. You can't just slot players into the 22 willy-nilly. And on current evidence, the answer is an unequivocal no.

Now...if and when Rusling stands up and starts kicking bags in the VFL, then we can have this discussion in earnest. But until then, it's just nonsensical to discuss bringing him back and shifting the forward-line around when Anthony is doing such a good job at FF.

If we're going to gamble with anyone, it might as well be Rocca, who we at least know can be a huge influence.

 

[Old Spice]

This calls for my wittiest reply ever - eat Rus fart.

 

[smiddaz123]

Streets ahead?? Averaging just over 2 goals a game is hardly streets ahead.

What about everything else he brings to the table? Defensive pressure? A genuine contests?

He brings that plus more goals.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

Of course it does. Just like "Rusling will be good as a full back" will inevitably be followed by "Presti is better".

If you're bringing him in to play FF, he must necessarily replace Anthony as the full-forward, correct? Which means Anthony is moved to a pocket or flank.

So the essential question is: Is it likely that Rusling(FF)/Anthony(FP) will work better than Anthony(FF)/Dick(FP) (or whoever Rusling would be replacing). That is precisely what you have to consider. You can't just slot players into the 22 willy-nilly. And on current evidence, the answer is an unequivocal no.

Now...if and when Rusling stands up and starts kicking bags in the VFL, then we can have this discussion in earnest. But until then, it's just nonsensical to discuss bringing him back and shifting the forward-line around when Anthony is doing such a good job at FF.

If we're going to gamble with anyone, it might as well be Rocca, who we at least know can be a huge influence.

As I've said I think 3 times now, I don't think we should gamble on Rusling and that he should be readied for next year. That's not this year....!

There are 2 forwad pockets and and I think it can eventually be Anthony (fp) Rusling (ff) Dick (fp). You might be right and maybe he shouldn't replace Anthony as the full forward - you're entitled to your opinion. Personally I think Anthony would kick just as many goals at fp as he would at ff because the reason for his goalkicking is the fact that he uses it when he gets it, not that he has many shots at goal. He wouldn't be replaced anyway because he is not a stay at home full forward. He spends time up the ground, on a flank, in a pocket with medders or dick in the ff position so i don't think it would worry him. He has even spent some time in the back line.

My view is that he is not a 'focal point' and that rusling could be one. To say that he has potential to be that player is not to suggest that players should be picked willy nilly. I didn't even call for his selection because he can't be fit and hasn't played a minute in the forward line this year.

I think next year our forward line will be (if rus is fit):
Dick****Rusling*****Jack
Thomas**Cloke**Medhurst (maybe Lockyer where Thomas is)

**or somehting similar and I think this forward line would be a very good one. This year, personally I think our forward line is fine as it is and that players like Rocca, etc should only be selected if we stop kicking good scores.

 

[Two Eyes]

Anthony is still a developing player but I like what I have seen. Rusling has shown glimpses, but that was long ago and he can't even get on the park most of the time. To suggest he should come into teh seniors this year is ludicrous. The man has no fitness and form whatsoever.

Going forward, if by some miracle Rus stayed fit, I could see him fit into the forwardline, perhaps along with Anthony. His pace is certainly an attribute and might complement Anthony and Cloke. My big worry, however, is Rusling's shot on goal. He is not a great set shot and that is precisely the form in which 90% of his scoring opportunities would come. Nothing saps team morale more than a player fluffing and easy one from 30 metres out. We already have enough of those players in Cloke and L Brown. We don't need another.

I don't know about you guys, but I love the calm I feel when Anthony lines up a set shot from anywhere gettable within 45 metres. That ability, even under extreme pressure, is priceless.

 

[mdc]

As I've said I think 3 times now, I don't think we should gamble on Rusling and that he should be readied for next year. That's not this year....!

My apologies if I've missed that...in that case we agree.

I was arguing against including him this year, which is what the OP was getting at. I've always been for retaining him, and if he shows good form in the pre-season, whatever, by all means let him play. I might not rate his potential as highly as others, but he's certainly going to be better value than a 3rd round pick in a diluted draft.

 

[Old Spice]

My opening post mentioned Rus being fit enough I believe. If it wasn't, it certainly was peppered through subsequent replies.

But, given Rus has made late appearances in the season throughout his injury riddled career, it's hardly beyond the bounds of reason that he might be an option for us late in this campaign.

I don't know what Rus's scoring efficiency is, but I reckon he is a good shot on goal, and better than Trav I'd suspect. But even if that were true, he's still managed post the Tarrant, Rocca period to kick 2 a game. A limited sample to be sure, but the argument cuts the other way too. I suspect he wont play, but I'm not putting it in the ludicrous basket.

 

[loki04]

Rusling has the potential to kick 10 in a game, as a junior his best hual was 12 goals.

JA more like 5.

JA is suited to the 3rd tall forward, Rusling will make for the better traditional FF.

Defensively they are on par Rusling is underrated on here for tackling andchasing opponents.

JA is a more accurate kick but Rusling is competant, JA is better body on body but Rusling generally isn't put in that position so it's hard to guage if he is bad or not in it.

Rusling also has not been afforded an injury free season, the more runs of games the better he will perform imo.

 

[The 10th Letter]

I don't want to write him off, but I'm growing more and more resigned to the possibility that Rusling - through no fault of his own - will not be able to make it. It's a tremendous shame because he looked the goods back in 2007, but he's missed a lot of football and getting on the park is the best way to improve as a player.

The emergence of Anthony as a forward, with Dawes also coming through the ranks will make it difficult for Rusling. I know they tried him in a few different roles at VFL level this year but I think he's either going to be a forward or nothing at all. With that said, Rocca's imminent retirement might help his cause.

I'm not going to go out on a limb one way or the other, but I think at this stage we should be looking at Rusling as an unexpected bonus if he can finally get his body right and have a little luck in the process. As far as playing a part in 2009, I think that ship has sailed; but I wouldn't be surprised if he was retained for one more season, he's of more potential value to us than anything another team would offer in terms of a trade.

 

[the mighty T]

i dont know if anyone has posted this so im sorry if im stepping on any toes but

2009 VFL Round 18Williamstown v Collingwood
Sunday 16th August
Burbank Oval at 2:00 PMCollingwood
B: Reed, N. Brown, Dyas
HB: Corrie, Reid, Blight
C: Barham, Clarke, Cox
HF: Sidebottom, Rocca, McCarthy
F: Rounds, Macaffer, Stanley
R: Bryan, Cook, Blair
Int: Rusling, Hayes, Colbert, Peverill, Bennell, Allen*, Keefe, Walker, K. Pendlebury

Heeeeeeee's Baaaaaaaaacck
Gee thats a strong side hahaha

 

[the mighty T]

I'm not going to go out on a limb one way or the other, but I think at this stage we should be looking at Rusling as an unexpected bonus if he can finally get his body right and have a little luck in the process. As far as playing a part in 2009, I think that ship has sailed; but I wouldn't be surprised if he was retained for one more season, he's of more potential value to us than anything another team would offer in terms of a trade.

well im not so sure about that...i think it'll take one good vfl game from the Rus to impress MM. He was out for basically the season in 07 yet made his way into the team against the swans if im not mistaken just befor the finals were set to start. And he was quite impressive in that game. Never say never

 

[Old Spice]

Will be very excited to read the VFL report. Rus 5 goal haul.

 

[mdc]

Will be very excited to read the VFL report. Rus 5 goal haul.

Hopefully he's played as a forward this time around.

 

[mattys123]

At least he's finally been named in the VFL squad, if only as one of the extended interchange.

I don't see much chance of him playing senior footy this year, but with a solid finish to this season in the VFL and a good pre season, he is in our long term plans.

We still lack one tall or leading forward, and Ruz can fill that gap.

 

[The Dawes]

Will be very excited to read the VFL report. Rus 5 goal haul.

I'd be happy for him to just get through a game in one piece before we worry about bags of goals.

He's missed so much footy & will be extremely rusty.

 

[kbutcher24]

Hopefully he's played as a forward this time around.

im good mates with rusling's player sponsor at the club and rusling told him yesterday that the club plans to play him on the wing to get his game fitness up

 

[Old Spice]

im good mates with rusling's player sponsor at the club and rusling told him yesterday that the club plans to play him on the wing to get his game fitness up

Good to hear the brain's trust aren't putting Rus on ice for this year, may still have a part to play yet. Come on Rus man.

 

[Skade]

Iguess the games not on TV bc its played Sunday

 

[Quicky]

im good mates with rusling's player sponsor at the club and rusling told him yesterday that the club plans to play him on the wing to get his game fitness up

Not a bad idea at all that. Would be an absolute pisser watching Rus tearing up one wing and big Ant up the other

 

[mwalker]

Would be stupid to bring him into the seniors this season. If any tall forward is going to make a late impact it is one with runs on the board - Rocca - not one who has played a handful of average games and breaks down every two seconds.

Pretty much as he said but perhaps a little nicer....

Rocca will be bought back unless he breaks down and he deserves to come into that side given his years of service.

Rusling would have to do something very very very special (IMO) to make that side and then he better do something very very special if he gets game. To be selected after such a long history of injuries and given guys like dawes/reid have waited most of the year they would spew if he came in and then did nothing. Come in and kick 7 and no-one will care.

 

[DirtyFive]

If Shane Watson can do it, so can our Rus.
Carn the pies.