Analysis The transition between the older and new generation

[Catatonic Shock]

it would also help if we had a good young promising ruckman. There's been no continuity in that regard. The guys begin to learn the habits of one ruckman and he goes down for the year and in comes someone else.
Gotta start getting some stability and it's starts with the big men. Shame Simpson's had back-related issues the last two years because he could have notched up 50 games by now. whether he will make it or not would have given the club a good chunk of that exposed form. Now they probably have to wait another couple of years before making the tough call.

Again, every club has them but we seem to be losing the most important prospects, or the players who are considered to be a high priority to the teams structures.

That's why I reckon they grabbed Stanley, to me it seems they see him as a ruck, albeit I would think more of a second ruck.
Maybe they are targetting a FA ruck next year?
Or Clarke maybe?
We have a heap of genuine second rucks, and some who can pinch hit, but the only 2 players on our list that you COULD consider a number 1 ruck are both injury prone (one severely) and one is on his last legs.

 

[Catatonic Shock]

I reckon your right and maybe Simpson took a drastic turn for the worst this year which sent alarm bells ringing through the recruiting department and their hand was forced in a way. Recruited Clark and Stanley who can both do the job for the time being. At least time enough to see whether Simpson's health improves, or time enough to focus on another ruckman for the 2015 draft?

Then again, some genuine ruckman were there for the taking but were overlooked, Giles was one of them. Though not much of a player to be honest. Maybe a better prospect as no.1 ruck than Stanley however.

Reckon you have it there.
On Giles, I think he went backwards the last year or 2 and is at the wrong age to pick up.
Simpson is the one, he has the skills (supposedly) and the height/weight/bulk to be a genuine first ruck, if (and a mammoth IF at that) he can get his body right.
Last year was disappointing, my views on that are part of my interview with willo, I expected him to be better early in the year when he was still relatively fit, and I think due to his lack of form and then physical break down the match committee were spooked, as you touched on, as I don't doubt that previously they saw Simpson as the obvious choice once he was fit enough. Now there are serious doubts on that.
This season will be interesting just to see how the ruck situation plays out, IMO the first setup I would like to see is Hmac with Stanley and Clarke and Blicavs able to pinch hit at opposite ends of the ground.
I would hope by round 22 Hmac is no longer our number 1 and not due to lack of fitness or form.

 

[Teriyakicat]

I reckon your right and maybe Simpson took a drastic turn for the worst this year which sent alarm bells ringing through the recruiting department and their hand was forced in a way. Recruited Clark and Stanley who can both do the job for the time being. At least time enough to see whether Simpson's health improves, or time enough to focus on another ruckman for the 2015 draft?

Then again, some genuine ruckman were there for the taking but were overlooked, Giles was one of them. Though not much of a player to be honest. Maybe a better prospect as no.1 ruck than Stanley however.

Bobby, how long does it take to develop a good ruckman from scratch? The tall blokes take longer than shorter blokes, don't they?

Is it too late to give Blakey a call?

 

[Teriyakicat]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/former-geelong-ruckman-mark-blake-takes-home-dick-reynolds-medal-after-stunning-season-for-aberfeldie-in-edfl/story-fngnvog3-1227052339700?nk=5653982201f9d67e65d1ec0b71b16199

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Yeah, I read that at the time. He played elsewhere a year or two before that and won their league's B&F, too. Maroopna or something?
Somehow I can't see him returning- nor can I see him wanting to play elsewhere but, gee, he'd be handy about now, wouldn't he? Just to get the ball down the throat of a midfielder. Always was great with the silver service, was Blakey!

 

[Daniel McL]

I'm rather impressed a thread I started didn't fail yet

And I didn't even have to start it thanks SJ!