Year of the Ruckman

[Bluke]

Might be an early call, but I rekon this will be the 'Year of the Ruckman.'

McEvoy broke the ton last night, Warnock did it last week, Cox smashed it, Sandi beat it. Hille and Ryder broke it.

Graham and Hudson came close last week.

Graham and Vickery posted respectable scores again this week.

I think the Sub rule has really brought the ruckmen into the game. They're forced to stay on the ground more and do their lions share, spending rests down forward and picking up goals for it.

[CFC 1979]

it also poses another question - if the rucks are spending more time on ground, at some stage they may need resting
for a game. If a club has a good 2nd + 3rd rucks they may rest no 1 for a game a some stage.

i don't think the byes will be enough of a break over the season.

Look at swan, he was sore as hell after last weeks game playing the extra time on field so i would think the big men
will get some niggles that may enforce a weeks rest.

So if coaches are not using the ruck as the sub, it is paramount to have 1 playing ruck bench coverage ( ie - fraser GC )

[chatters24]

Watch this space! I think the real affect that the sub rule has on ruckmen isn't completely clear yet. It enables them to get more game time, but at what cost?? At what point will they begin to slow down? Will it mean that a more agile and mobile ruckman such as Ryder be the big winner as he should be able to maintain the same intensity for longer than some of the bigger boys. It will be interesting.

[deekay]

So if coaches are not using the ruck as the sub, it is paramount to have 1 playing ruck bench coverage ( ie - fraser GC )

do you think this is why Sydney had a ruck sub last week? They bought on a their Ruck Sub (seaby i think) but didnt take off Mummy... does this put them at a disadvantage or an advantage?
Its an interesting statement, certainly something we will be seeing/hearing alot more off.

Also on this, you look at WCE last week, had cox dominating in the ruck, once he crampt up Q.Lynch went into the ruck and cox sat up forward. This week Qstick is named FF and obviously Cox in the ruck - Nic Nat on the bench...will nic nat be the sub?

[chatters24]

So if coaches are not using the ruck as the sub, it is paramount to have 1 playing ruck bench coverage ( ie - fraser GC )

do you think this is why Sydney had a ruck sub last week? They bought on a their Ruck Sub (seaby i think) but didnt take off Mummy... does this put them at a disadvantage or an advantage?
Its an interesting statement, certainly something we will be seeing/hearing alot more off.

Also on this, you look at WCE last week, had cox dominating in the ruck, once he crampt up Q.Lynch went into the ruck and cox sat up forward. This week Qstick is named FF and obviously Cox in the ruck - Nic Nat on the bench...will nic nat be the sub?

The real interesting one this week I think is with Essendon and how they have brought in Bellchambers. Will he be a sub?? How will this affect their structure having three ruckmen? Is it so they can sub Hille out during the 3rd or 4th to keep him fresh? Is it so they can use Bellchambers as a sub to further his development to gain him further AFL experience without having to rely on him all game?? It's all very very interesting I think!

[Justin Bieber]

I think we had good success throwing Hille/Ryder up forward last week in our young forward line, so bringing in Bell may allow one of them to stay forward even longer!

Suprised he got the call up but would mean we have fresh ruckman throughout the game and another Tall up forward to trouble the Swans. An interesting experiment and could pay off big time if done right.

Ruckmen are getting more time on ground so probably get more of the ball = more points. Instead of being on the bench, they drop back or rest forward = potential points.  I chose Sandi and Ryder so I'm not complaining but was picking McEvoy for a breakout 8). He's got quite a future ahead of him.

*Peace Out Pplz.

[Bluke]

I think we had good success throwing Hille/Ryder up forward last week in our young forward line, so bringing in Bell may allow one of them to stay forward even longer!

Suprised he got the call up but would mean we have fresh ruckman throughout the game and another Tall up forward to trouble the Swans. An interesting experiment and could pay off big time if done right.

Ruckmen are getting more time on ground so probably get more of the ball = more points. Instead of being on the bench, they drop back or rest forward = potential points.  I chose Sandi and Ryder so I'm not complaining but was picking McEvoy for a breakout 8). He's got quite a future ahead of him.

*Peace Out Pplz.

I think Bellchambers probably earned a call up with his preseason form.

Plus Sydney go in without Seaby so if Ryder and Hill stay forward and Bellchambers does his lions share of the work in the middle the Bombers will really trouble the Swans for height.

The thing about the bombers is, they're just so damn fit right now. Plus they have ample runners, quick runners. So they can maybe afford to sacrifice a runner for an extra tall and tip the forward balance in their favour. Will be an interesting match to watch thats for sure!

I'm not sure about Ruckman getting rested, I think most ruckman and coaches would like to think that they're fit enough to run out the season with only the byes are breaks. But maybe clubs like the Gold Coast, who get their byes out of the way early (which isnt fair in my mind), will have to rest players towards the end of the season. they go rd 9 to 24 without at break this season...

[Cicjose]

3 ruckman means that you can afford to make your 3rd string number 1 for certain games where teams have weak rucks, (St Kilda, Geelong, Hawks) Bellchambers for example could play those teams as sole ruckman for the first half,

if by any chance he is winning centre bounces and most around the ground then he could ruck the whole game or conversely he could swap with Hille or Ryder if the game is on the line or he is struggling.

[Justin Bieber]

Bell has been good solid back up last year when needed. I would love to see him play more regulary but not with this sub rule ::). We are fit but we have tired come end of season :(. The byes will help but still.... Fast starts are always short lived, but we don't know what the future holds!

Mummy there only ruck playing? I only quickly scanned the team sheets so if so, probably there to suit the Swans stoppage style playing. Rotating talls will mean Mummy would have to be working like a horse to keep up with all 3 of them during the night!

Ruckman are sometimes put on bench but if there are playing using alot more energy (followers), they'd probably be rested ahead. Rucks can just stay deep forward if they can mark a bit or are thrown down back depending on the situation.

*Peace Out Pplz.

[chatters24]

So apparently bellchambers is in the team because hille is in doubt.