Wood up for ruck battle

[robertg22]

If he was an NFL quarterback he'd be a designated career backup by now. IMO he'll be serviceable at best, he doesn't make enough of a physical impact on the contest and that it what is needed from a ruckman.

Cameron Wood = Luke McCown. Or Josh. lol

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Was thinking more capable than that. Jon Kitna?

 

[lgarth80]

At 25 he is now at the age when most ruckmen mature.
Rare that you see rucks doing well before this age. Hoping that he could do what Jamar did, go from a half beaten hack to first rate near All-Australian ruckman in one year.

The fact that Buckley is pumping his tyres is testament to the fact that our coaches have the same hope.

It's not just Jamar that was late in maturing. Jolly was similar, Sandilands did not much other than be a giant scarecrow for years. Cox was rookie listed.

Big men take time. Let's hope as Jolly goes into twilight, Wood dominates for a few years, then Witts puts them both in the shade, figuratively as well as literally.

 

[robertg22]

Was thinking more capable than that. Jon Kitna?

Kitna started for quite a few years! But yeah that's a bit more encouraging

 

[Swooop]

I find it frustrating and have done for years, that other club's ruckmen seem to come on more than what our guys do.

The latest one in a seemingly never-ending line, was Will Minson who looked so much bigger and stronger the other night.

Fraser, Wood, Richards etc etc just don't appear to develop physically as much as these other guys do.

Don't know if that's a training thing or simply genetic predisposition to a slim build.

Think I read someone say we should have locked Fraser in the gym for six months, haha.

Haven't seen much of Woody this year, but geez I hope he's put on a bit of shoulders and core strength. Though he did have a shoulder op apparently so that was a setback.

This has to be his year really to step up and grab the chance he's got, cos he may be overtaken very soon.

 

[speedytiger]

I find it frustrating and have done for years, that other club's ruckmen seem to come on more than what our guys do.

Dunno about this. In 2010 the top 5 sides number 1 ruckman all came from other clubs. In 2011 i think 6 of the top 7. All clubs are guilty of impatience when it comes to rucks.

 

[Swooop]

I find it frustrating and have done for years, that other club's ruckmen seem to come on more than what our guys do.

Dunno about this. In 2010 the top 5 sides number 1 ruckman all came from other clubs. In 2011 i think 6 of the top 7. All clubs are guilty of impatience when it comes to rucks.

That's an interesting point you raise. ( However, I don't think in itself, it necessarily refutes my comment)

We did it with Jolly with great success. Guess we tried same thing with Wood from Brisbane, though he was much younger and much more in the promising category rather than the fully developed class.

Geelong had modest success recruiting a ready-made Ottens and Swannies also did it beautifully with Mumford.

Witts and Ceglar look promising as developing young ruckmen, hopefully their future rise to the top levels will prove my concerns totally unfounded.

But I think the situation is worth thinking about, because if the club 'ruck school' doesn't develop guys like Witts to their full potential, that'd be a terrible waste.

Lack of a decent ruckman may have cost flags in 2007, perhaps 2002 so it should be an area of sharp focus IMHO.

 

[Thommo 42]

Geelong have also shown more patience and allowed blokes to develop.

Trent West was drafted in 2005 and has played a grand total of 20 games, and only late last year showed he was really ready to step up. He is now 24 and looks ready to really become a very good player.

He played 100 games in the ruck at VFL level, which is outstanding for his development

 

[TradeDraft]

Geelong have also shown more patience and allowed blokes to develop.

Trent West was drafted in 2005 and has played a grand total of 20 games, and only late last year showed he was really ready to step up. He is now 24 and looks ready to really become a very good player.

He played 100 games in the ruck at VFL level, which is outstanding for his development

Though it helped Geelong had Ottens and Blake so there was no need for the Cats to Rush West

 

[Thommo 42]

if Blake was keeping him out, its a strong argument that you would rush him!

 

[TradeDraft]

if Blake was keeping him out, its a strong argument that you would rush him!

Blake was not Bad. He was a Good Ruckman but not a Premiership Ruckman which Ottens was and he was Fresh for the Finals because of Blake

 

[Thommo 42]

Blake won a Premiership, so I think its safe to call him a Premiership Ruckman.

 

[skinnyjim]

It's likely that Wood will start fulfilling his true potential this year, given that he can really see the younger guys coming on underneath him, as he said himself. So he will be feeling pressure every day from below as well as above (Jolly) and this is crucial for athletes to lift to the next level. He will get there.