Tom Hawkins into the Ruck

[Siege]

Apologies if this has already been brought up, but how would this kid go in the ruck?

He's what, 6"6 with a huge leap and a massive frame; Would smash guys like Kreuzer.

Even if his engine isn't great it would improve dramatically being in the ruck and let's face it, he's gotta be better then Mark Blake

You could play the two ruckman(Ottens, Mumford) and have Hawkins play as the third ruckman/forward; Kind of what Ottens does.

I think it would give him a lot more confidence, knowing that he's contributing to the team and hopefully for you guys he becomes the dominant power-forward that you need.

Just a thought....

 

[rizzo]

In one word... No
In two words.. Hell No!

haha. Not sure if the ruck would be best for young tommyH

 

[Topper]

Well he certainly wouldnt be worse than Blake. But in saying that No.

Sometimes id rather we just put an extra midfielder in there and have 4 genuine on ballers roving the opposition ruckman. Joel Corey often goes 3rd man up around the grounds, he could play the make shift ruckman but just rove the ball when it comes to ground.

Hawkins is a forward, he has to learn that craft before we give other roles to him.

 

[rizzo]

Well he certainly wouldnt be worse than Blake. But in saying that No.

Sometimes id rather we just put an extra midfielder in there and have 4 genuine on ballers roving the opposition ruckman. Joel Corey often goes 3rd man up around the grounds, he could play the make shift ruckman but just rove the ball when it comes to ground.

Hawkins is a forward, he has to learn that craft before we give other roles to him.

The same Mark Blake that is coming 4th in the AFL for hitouts? I'm sure he could do a lot, lot worse.

 

[buzz123]

We got smashed with Mumford starting on the ground on Sunday, yet there is all this hatred for Blake, i dont understand (is it because everyone has jumped on the Byrnes bandwagon and they need to hate someone??).

Blake is the superior tap ruckmen and we'll compliment Ottens quite nicely if, and when, the big man returns. Mumford struggles in the ruck, and is by no means streets ahead of Blake around the ground, just slightly better defensively.

In a side like Geelong, surely the primary job of the ruckmen is to get your gun mids first use of the ball, which Blake does.

As for Hawkins, i concur with Rizzo "Hell NO"....if you're looking to get him into the game more, push him up the field or possibly give him a defensive role (neither of which will help his goalkicking ability which we need from him). Why risk an injury to someone who isnt trained in the ruck?

 

[Topper]

The same Mark Blake that is coming 4th in the AFL for hitouts? I'm sure he could do a lot, lot worse.

Im sure he would do a lot worse in hitouts, but more than make up for it in around the ground influence, as is the trend of mobile ruckman, of which Blake is certainly NOT.

Im sure Manute Bol (76ers, i think) would win a lot of hit outs but offer F@#k all around the ground, Hitouts alone dont cut it anymore.

Either way, its a stupid suggestion of Hawkins to play ruck.

 

[Siege]

Im sure he would do a lot worse in hitouts, but more than make up for it in around the ground influence, as is the trend of mobile ruckman, of which Blake is certainly NOT.

Im sure Manute Bol (76ers, i think) would win a lot of hit outs but offer F@#k all around the ground, Hitouts alone dont cut it anymore.

Either way, its a stupid suggestion of Hawkins to play ruck.

Why is it stupid?

Surely it would get him more into the game, build his confidence and get him fitter.... Cause at the moment he ain't doin that at full-forward

 

[noclashjumpers]

After about 3 or 4 contests he'd be doubled over showing his breakfast.

He just doesn't have the fitness. He barely has the fitness for FF.

In other words, no.

 

[Topper]

Why is it stupid?

Surely it would get him more into the game, build his confidence and get him fitter.... Cause at the moment he ain't doin that at full-forward

I may be wrong but Hawkins doesnt come across as the sharpest tool in the shed, so i dont think giving him this role would be good for him, he has a few down games but its in the forward line that he has to prosper, no matter how long it takes, confusing the big lump of meat with extra roles wont do him any good at this stage of his career.

He's had some outstanding games this year and some poor ones, and im pretty sure you can put almost everyone into that category. We must persist with him at FF

 

[darren forssman]

Im sure Manute Bol (76ers, i think) would win a lot of hit outs but offer F@#k all around the ground, Hitouts alone dont cut it anymore.

in fact, the 7 footer offered nothing more than blocks.

 

[jakethesnake]

That wouldn't solve anything. Silly idea.

 

[Claude Balls]

Not a good idea in terms of the structure of the team and Tom's development as a forward.

However, he'd probably be half decent at it. He can jump, is 15 x more dexterous with his hands than Blake, as evidenced by his great handballing in the forward line at times this season. And he can tackle, as evidenced by his great tackling game against Brisbane earlier this year.

 

[Jemaine]

in fact, the 7 footer offered nothing more than blocks.

Pfft, obviously you never saw that game against the Suns where he hit six threes in a half

 

[Jemaine]

Also, I think Hawk rucked for about 2 minutes on Sunday when the other two were on the bench.

 

[hamG]

Yeah Hawkins a few times a game will take the ruck in the forward line and he doesn't really know what he's doing.

For amusements sake, Hawkins as our #1 ruckman ... who should be his #2? MOONEY! haha.

 

[Premiers2007]

Looks like he did a bit of rucking in the U18.

[YOUTUBE]87tTqvCh5BY[/YOUTUBE]

His kicking didn't look great back in the U18 either.

But his marking was awesome!

 

[Jemaine]

He actually contested one or two in front me on the wing from memory.

 

[CF]

Putting Moons in the ruck rejuvinated his career. I don't think it is a silly idea as everyone seems to think, but unlikely to happen.

 

[Redemptionin09]

Looks like he did a bit of rucking in the U18.

[youtube]87tTqvCh5BY[/youtube]

His kicking didn't look great back in the U18 either.

But his marking was awesome!

Some of that footage looked as if he monstered the other kids with his size and presence..providing a target and marking very well...more performances like that at AFL level would obviously go some way to silencing some of the doubters.
Clear evidence of talent...just needs to play his role and do his bit...which should be nothing more than provide a consistent target, contest the pack inside 50 and dob a goal or 2 if he gets the chance. Now admittedly he didn't do that against the saints or the dogs..but he shouldn't be seen as the main man, at least not at the moment, the main mid/tall forwards should be Mooney and SJ..one of which was not playing on Sunday...but would have no doubt had an impact.

 

[thegerman]

in fact, the 7 footer offered nothing more than blocks.

In my best Family Fued voice, Bam baaaaaam.

DF, hate to correct you but he was also a good three point shooter and obviously at that size a very good rebounder.

So there was more to Manute Bol than met the eye.

 

[Patronus]

Why is it stupid?

Surely it would get him more into the game, build his confidence and get him fitter.... Cause at the moment he ain't doin that at full-forward

I find it stupid to put the teams most promising young Key forward who has a history of leg problems into the ruck where he will be left open to re-injuring it.

 

[Turbocat]

Does anyone remember how Barry Stoneham broke his leg and basically ruined his career?Playing in the ruck!

On the other hand , he might actually get a bit more ball around the ground than Blake or Mumford which might get him back to a bit of form , a bit like Mooney a couple of years ago.

I agree with others that he wouldn't last long , maybe 5 minutes and see how he goes

 

[AM]

The first thing you need to do to be a useful ruckman is be prepared to put your body in harms way. Not sure that's presently one of Tom's strengths.

 

[highflyingcat]

Does anyone remember how Barry Stoneham broke his leg and basically ruined his career?Playing in the ruck!

On the other hand , he might actually get a bit more ball around the ground than Blake or Mumford which might get him back to a bit of form , a bit like Mooney a couple of years ago.

I agree with others that he wouldn't last long , maybe 5 minutes and see how he goes

He broke his sternum playing in the ruck going for a hit out; I'm not sure about his leg

 

[Skerret]

Harry Madden fell on him I think, unsure if it was a ruck contest though. Certainly wasn't at a centre bounce (I could be way off).