2019 Rucks

[elephants]

I'd be surprised if they didnt keep pumping games into Rowan Marshall too. Hes the future imo

They will, but as a forward

He'll pinch hit in the ruck, but he's a forward

Yep exactly, so that means Longer may not even get a game. Competing with Pierce for one spot

[RaisyDaisy]

Stef owners might want to check this out

Stef v Archie: Lions' starting ruck position up for grabs - http://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-12/stef-v-archie-lions-starting-ruck-position-up-for-grabs

[Ringo]

Stef owners might want to check this out

Stef v Archie: Lions' starting ruck position up for grabs - http://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-12/stef-v-archie-lions-starting-ruck-position-up-for-grabs

Knew this would surface sooner or later given Archies form preseason. Has probably been the best ruck in the intraclub with regards to hit outs. Neither of them can really play as 3rd tall in the forward line so the selection committee will have to decide hit outs where Archie shines v Stefs around the ground work.  Think preseason will decide given Stef has been eased back following slight injuries.

Will consider Smith as R2 if Stef not included in 22. Based on his 2016 form when he was sole ruck and had 2 scores of 90+. His scores suffer if in tandem with Smith.

[Ringo]

This is interesting from sen this morning from Simon Goodwin.

Melbourne: "Clearly we know he's got some work to do.. he gives us options.. he gives us our ability to potentially look at playing 2 Rucks.. it gives us a really good support mechanism for Max Gawn" Simon Goodwin on Braydon Preuss via @1116sen

Think this takes away a little the concern we may have on Preuss's eeect on Gawn.

[quinny88]

This is interesting from sen this morning from Simon Goodwin.

Melbourne: "Clearly we know he's got some work to do.. he gives us options.. he gives us our ability to potentially look at playing 2 Rucks.. it gives us a really good support mechanism for Max Gawn" Simon Goodwin on Braydon Preuss via @1116sen

Think this takes away a little the concern we may have on Preuss's eeect on Gawn.

If he had no garuntee of game time then why on earth would he go to a club where he's competing with the best ruck in the comp for the #1 spot rather than just wait maybe 1 or 2 years max to take the mantle from Goldy?
There has to be a role at Melbourne for him in the best 22 or he's made a poor move

[RaisyDaisy]

If he had no garuntee of game time then why on earth would he go to a club where he's competing with the best ruck in the comp for the #1 spot rather than just wait maybe 1 or 2 years max to take the mantle from Goldy?
There has to be a role at Melbourne for him in the best 22 or he's made a poor move

This is what we keep assuming, but is it not possible that Preuss went to Melb just because they offered him more money?

Dees had zero (good/developed) cover for Gawn so maybe they just wanted to have a better back up option on the books as they understand it's very hard for 1 person to shoulder the ruck for several years without support

He figures either way he'll be playing mostly VFL so why not make more money at least?

I still can't see how the new rules really change the ruck much at all tbh. The tall forward who can pinch hit and give the ruck a short spell should still be the preferred choice imo. Yes dual ruck works for WCE, but that doesn't mean it will work for every club

[GoLions]

If he had no garuntee of game time then why on earth would he go to a club where he's competing with the best ruck in the comp for the #1 spot rather than just wait maybe 1 or 2 years max to take the mantle from Goldy?
There has to be a role at Melbourne for him in the best 22 or he's made a poor move

This is what we keep assuming, but is it not possible that Preuss went to Melb just because they offered him more money?

Dees had zero (good/developed) cover for Gawn so maybe they just wanted to have a better back up option on the books as they understand it's very hard for 1 person to shoulder the ruck for several years without support

He figures either way he'll be playing mostly VFL so why not make more money at least?

I still can't see how the new rules really change the ruck much at all tbh. The tall forward who can pinch hit and give the ruck a short spell should still be the preferred choice imo. Yes dual ruck works for WCE, but that doesn't mean it will work for every club

Also has an actual chance of winning a (VFL) flag

[_wato]

Don't care how much you're getting paid, to go from sitting behind a 30yo Goldy to a 27yo Gawn is ridiculous when you're only 23.

He also could've taken offers elsewhere to be a starting #1 ruck. I honestly think he'll be guaranteed some good games this year.

Not 100% obviously but he will play v PA Round 1. Lycett/Ryder and Hoff so they'll combat with Gawn and Preuss.

[RaisyDaisy]

Don't care how much you're getting paid, to go from sitting behind a 30yo Goldy to a 27yo Gawn is ridiculous when you're only 23.

He also could've taken offers elsewhere to be a starting #1 ruck. I honestly think he'll be guaranteed some good games this year.

Not 100% obviously but he will play v PA Round 1. Lycett/Ryder and Hoff so they'll combat with Gawn and Preuss.

This is why I am super tempted to go down the path of picking a cheap R2

There's just too much uncertainty around every damn ruck other than Grundy at R1

Let's say I pick Mummy/English for 300k. That's nearly 400k I save by not picking Gawn. Now let's say I go with English just because he shouldn't be as risky as Mummy and WB have no rucks now and he averages 70 as their ruck

I lose 40-50 points per week

Pretty sure I can gain that 40-50 points on another line with the extra 400k I have to spend, and now I have the benefit of seeing who is actually going to be the right ruck to pick for R2 and make that upgrade 6-7 weeks into the season once my starting ruck has likely increased in cash, and the higher ruck has probably gone down in price (Gawn) or similar priced to their starting (Goldy etc)

[quinny88]

Don't care how much you're getting paid, to go from sitting behind a 30yo Goldy to a 27yo Gawn is ridiculous when you're only 23.

He also could've taken offers elsewhere to be a starting #1 ruck. I honestly think he'll be guaranteed some good games this year.

Not 100% obviously but he will play v PA Round 1. Lycett/Ryder and Hoff so they'll combat with Gawn and Preuss.

That's what I'm thinking. The cats for example could have put him in as their #1 ruck.

It would be like Miles leaving Richmond because he can't get a game in the midfield and going to Collingwood where he's less of a chance lol.

There has to be a role there for him as a Fwd/Ruc maybe? They did lose Hogan so maybe want to turn him into a mason Cox type?

[quinny88]

The more I think about his the more I'm talking myself out of Gawn. The fact is they got Preuss for a reason and he chose to come there for a reason. Even if they have no permanent role for him they definitely have a plan for him that they must have sold him and temselves to get him there. There will be games they play both and games they just play Gawn and the real worry is games they can afford to rest Gawn knowing they have a good ruckman there to back up. I expect Gawn will still be very good but at $700k there's enough doubt for me to save the money and start someone else

[_wato]

They definitely want him to become a Mason Cox type but I honestly can't see it, he's a ruck and that's about it lmao.

What I'm wondering is whether they've told him, you'll get games but you need to learn your forward craft and work your ass off to become proficient at that. He's not bad at ground level and below the knees but he's a putrid forward in terms of reading the play, and he isn't overly quick is he?

Lots of questions .. 

[Mat0369]

He only started playing footy at 16. Maybe he has no love for the game and just sees it as a job where he can get the best paycheck. So if it was between North and the Dees and the Dees offered more cash he moved.

[quinny88]

He only started playing footy at 16. Maybe he has no love for the game and just sees it as a job where he can get the best paycheck. So if it was between North and the Dees and the Dees offered more cash he moved.

When he was traded there he was asked about why he chose to come there and he said something along the lines of wanting to play along side Max not just learning from him and playing under him. Who knows how that sits now and where he's at but it will be interesting

[GoLions]

He only started playing footy at 16. Maybe he has no love for the game and just sees it as a job where he can get the best paycheck. So if it was between North and the Dees and the Dees offered more cash he moved.

When he was traded there he was asked about why he chose to come there and he said something along the lines of wanting to play along side Max not just learning from him and playing under him. Who knows how that sits now and where he's at but it will be interesting

Well he's not gonna say he moved for money