Two rucks or One?

[mattys123]

Simple question, do you think we should go up against Ottens and Blake with one ruck, be it either Wood or Fraser, or should we pick both Wood and Fraser for Saturday night.

So,

TWO RUCKS OR ONE?

My personal opinion is two, with Fraser coming in and playing as a "floater" while Wood plays as No.1 Ruck.

Got the idea off the CFC website;

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/84772/default.aspx

COLLINGWOOD ruckman Cameron Wood believes both he and Josh Fraser can be in the team that faces Geelong in a preliminary final on Saturday night at the MCG.

Wood was called into the semi-final side in place of the injured Fraser and, after a slow start, did enough to suggest he's a good chance to keep his spot.

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/84772/default.aspx


Thoughts?

 

[adamov13]

Two would be ideal but only if Fraser is near enough to 90% fit.

If not let Cam take it on himself and throw Brown in when need be.

 

[Trojan82]

I have no idea.*

*I bring nothing to the table

 

[King Woodie]

I agree with you, Matty123. I think that if Fraser is fit, we need to go with two.

And I agree that the first ruck should be Wood, and he should be swapping with Fraser on the bench. If this doesn't work, we can still use Brown and put Fraser / Wood into the forward line.

We can't let Ottens smash us again.

 

[TwisTz]

Woody and Leeroy Jenkins.

 

[Heater39]

Agree with your idea matty. The thought of Ottens up against Bryan and Richards in 07 gives me nightmares still. Thankfully Wood and Fraser are better than Richards and Bryan and Ottens isn't fully fit.

 

[Optimax]

Ottens wont do a heap of rucking

He will be the number 2 behind blake this week

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

I'm not convinced by Wood. He hasn't strung consistent back-to back games. He got smashed by Minson in round 22 and was deservely dropped. Against Maric and Sellar he was very average in the first half but rebounded and was solid in the second half.

I think the team needs Fraser as a 2nd option, Leigh Brown to play on Hawkins.

 

[Axl the great]

Id go with just Wood as i think he can match Blake and exploit him around the ground, Ottens in the ruck will probably have the better of Wood and Fraser but how much will he play there? Unless Josh is 100% right to go he should not be picked, Josh needs to cover the ground and play with the hunger we know he can, if there is any doubt this will happen due to Frasers knee he does not come in.

 

[SIDE BY SIDE]

Surely if Fraser isn't fit we wont play him. If he is right to go then play both but Wood as our first Ruck and Fraser as a forward/Ruckman not the other way around. Thats leaves Leigh Brown to play back and if Fraser is going well up forward then he can pinch hit in the ruck to give Wood a rest. I dont know why MM doesn't want to play two rucks given both of ours can get around the ground ok if they are switched on.

 

[mdc]

I'd back Wood in. Fraser's form, injured or not, doesn't warrant a spot even as a second ruck.

 

[wixism]

Go with two Ruckman, Leigh Brown is shocking in the ruck rather Cameron Wood and Fraser any day.

 

[Pies_10]

This is the biggest question of the week for us.
I would like to see Fraser pinch hit and play up forward but we'll have to wait and see what MM thinks.

 

[ralu]

If Josh is fit play him, hes a proven performer and thats what we need against the cats. Play Wood as the number one ruck

 

[StillWaiting5689]

If we go with only one ruck then Trav would have to pinch hit, I imagine Leighroy will play in defence so its not like he can leave Hawkins to go ruck, no one would have the size to go with him (unless N.Brown comes in) plus they would probably put Ottens down there during this time aswell to stretch us.

I'd play two rucks if Fraser is fit to play, I think he could be dangerous up forward if only to throw out their matchups, otherwise Wood will have to go it alone.

At least Blake is a spud but Ottens is a real threat if he fires, what will this be his 3rd game back plus a week off on the back of 3 VFL games - he could start to really turn it on.

 

[ksardog]

whatever the case wood has to be number one ruck, if fraser isnt fit i wouldnt mind seeing bryan to come in with the job of really getting into ottens. its a bit left field but he could also be an option up forward. yes im still having nightmares about his 2007 prelim performance but ottens is the one that will hurt us and if bryan can jump into him and blake it would make woods job that much easier.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Pick them both and have Wood as the main ruckman. Use Fraser predominantly as a forward, or have him float around the wings so Cloke can play further up the ground near goal.

We should develop Fraser as a permanent forward for the rest of his career and have him relieve Wood every now and then.

 

[iGNITER]

Bring in Fraser IF fit and play 2 ruckman.

Play Leigh Brown on Scarlett as a defensive forward.

Just an idea.

 

[Trojan82]

Bring in Fraser IF fit and play 2 ruckman.

Play Leigh Brown on Scarlett as a defensive forward.

Just an idea.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could decide who plays on Scarlett? Hmm. How about Brad Dick?

Leigh Brown on Scarlett?? The amount of run Scarlett offers out of the backline when he has a fast player on him is high. The amount he would have with L. Brown on him.... It would be ridiculous.

 

[loki04]

If Josh is fit play him, hes a proven performer and thats what we need against the cats. Play Wood as the number one ruck

That is what people were saying v the aints and look how he performed then sh!thouse!

I'd like to see both in but if i had to choose on current form Wood should get the nod ahead of Fraser. When was the last time we had a Ruckman belting the ball forward 30m to advantage like wood was doing in the 2nd half vs Adelaide?

 

[Palmer Stoat]

Personally, I favour Wood as number-one ruck, with Dawes playing as third tall forward/relief ruck. I'm not a fan of Leigh Brown (who, despite his goal, was shite against Adelaide), but he could play down back on Hawkins. I wouldn't play Josh.

I don't think that scenario is very likely, however. Think we're much more likely to play both ruckmen, with Josh spending time forward.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Play both, Collingwood have won 4 from 5 games this year when both have been in the team.
Wood can even start fwd as well and swap with Josh. Wood can take a good grab...(trying to forget Knights outmarking him.....)

 

[shawthing09]

If Fraser is fit then he will be picked I am not sure where I sit on that idea.

On one hand I still don't trust Wood 100% but on the other hand I know when his on his deffinately good enough to be our number 1 ruck regardless of the fitness of Fraser.

In any case if Fraser is fit and plays I'd hope Wood is used as the number 1 ruck especially as Blake is likely to be the Cats number one ruck.

I'd use Fraser in the lead up / wing type role Cloke has been playing allowing Cloke to stay a bit closer to goal and hoping to isolate the Cloke v Taylor match up.

I'd also try to use Fraser as much as possible when Ottens is in the ruck to try and run him off his feet. It's not likely to work as Ottens is more then likely going to ruck and then float foward when in the ruck. That said again I'd try throw Fraser foward and back our depth in defensive talls over theres.

 

[daics cousin]

Wood must play.
Josh is about 85%.I would rather rest him,play dawes for forward structure and he can help pinch hit in the ruck.
Fraser should be kept for grand final or bust .
I donot think that fraser can do much damage up forward especially cause he is not 100% fit.

Donot go in with only one ruck option.If Malthouse does that i reckon he has conceded the game,before its played.
The Cats haver 3 talls.The Anvil cannot pinch hit becuse he will have to stay in the backline.....Bring in Dawes to stretch the cats and he can help wood in the ruck.Must play players only who are 100% fit.No Fraser.

 

[mothydog]

Personally, I favour Wood as number-one ruck, with Dawes playing as third tall forward/relief ruck. I'm not a fan of Leigh Brown (who despite his goal was shite against Adelaide), but he could play down back on Hawkins. I wouldn't play Josh.

I don't think that scenario is very likely, however. Think we're much more likely to play both ruckmen, with Josh spending time forward.

Even if Fraser is 100% fit, he is still too greater risk of not completing the match due to his dodgy knee history.
Wood is a definite starter for me, generally we haven't lost a game with Wood as #1 ruck in the later part of the season.
I would then pinch hit with Brown and Dawes. Dawes also to relieve pressure on Cloke's game by diluting the Geelong defense.
Fraser's presence on the match as a floater (forward or wing) is not that influential, easily beaten one-on-one, not great below knee's or in the air.
Too much of a liability for me.
A great club servant, but sadly his time is up at Collingwood.