2015: Premium Rucks

[Philzsay]

I'm thinking about Nic Nat and Leuey with no coverage. Is that too crazy?

It allows me to go very heavy in defence with rookies on bench only..

Not too crazy. I've been thinking of playing with fire with no ruck coverage on the thought of worry about it only when one ruck goes down. It just seems that whatever ruck cover option one goes with comprises the rest of the squad too much.

Still a long time to come up with a viable ruck strategy though.

 

[anfa18]

Anyone have concerns starting with Nic Nat? He didn't play in their first NAB game and is 50/50 to play in their next game.

 

[Lost In The Sky]

Anyone have concerns starting with Nic Nat? He didn't play in their first NAB game and is 50/50 to play in their next game.

Not at all. Has had a big pre-season and this minor back soreness is nothing to worry about. Would like him to play the Port game but if he doesn't so be it.

He should definitely play the Freo game and then head into the season all fired up. If it was groin soreness he was having I would be worried but no use ruining him by playing him in meaningless pre-season games. He'll be fine for round 1 with a great fitness base at the very least.

 

[OzRulesFootball]

Anyone have concerns starting with Nic Nat? He didn't play in their first NAB game and is 50/50 to play in their next game.

Yep. Thankfully I do not need to lock in a SC team for another month so plenty of time to really decide what rucks I go with. He is appealing though if he is right to go through a full season.

 

[Bontempele]

Anyone have concerns starting with Nic Nat? He didn't play in their first NAB game and is 50/50 to play in their next game.

Yes. But i think everyone else (other than goldy) is worse!!!

 

[Rowsus]

Not at all. Has had a big pre-season and this minor back soreness is nothing to worry about. Would like him to play the Port game but if he doesn't so be it.

He should definitely play the Freo game and then head into the season all fired up. If it was groin soreness he was having I would be worried but no use ruining him by playing him in meaningless pre-season games. He'll be fine for round 1 with a great fitness base at the very least.

Question for you LITS, as you're our go to WC man.
Sinclair seems to have performed better than Lycett in the 2 games so far. Is there any chance he might tip Lycett out as R2 at WC? Or is it just they way WC have structured in those 2 games?

 

[NT.Thunder]

Question for you LITS, as you're our go to WC man.
Sinclair seems to have performed better than Lycett in the 2 games so far. Is there any chance he might tip Lycett out as R2 at WC? Or is it just they way WC have structured in those 2 games?

My take on this is that at Lycett's price there is a considerable amount of risk noting that the R2 spot looks far from settled. The coaching staff has already said that the 3 of them will be working together this season, whether that be all playing at once or rotating, which worries me. I originally thought that Lycett would play all games but now not so sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see NN rested or injured throughout the season.

I would imagine WCE will play the form ruckman given they both seem so even in ability.

 

[Brettthejett]

Im rolling with Goldy and Naitanui and if Nic Nat goes down i will downgrade to Lycett, i dont see any faults to this strategy besides a trade.
What do you guys think?
(if nic nat goes down Lycett gets no.1 gig @ ruck which = better scores)

Yep my plan to if nicnat goes down lycett is the man

 

[Aneil915]

Im rolling with Goldy and Naitanui and if Nic Nat goes down i will downgrade to Lycett, i dont see any faults to this strategy besides a trade.
What do you guys think?
(if nic nat goes down Lycett gets no.1 gig @ ruck which = better scores)

Only issue with this is when Nic Nat comes back, it will affect lycett's score..

 

[Rowsus]

Im rolling with Goldy and Naitanui and if Nic Nat goes down i will downgrade to Lycett, i dont see any faults to this strategy besides a trade.
What do you guys think?
(if nic nat goes down Lycett gets no.1 gig @ ruck which = better scores)

Yep my plan to if nicnat goes down lycett is the man

Only issue with this is when Nic Nat comes back, it will affect lycett's score..

The other flaw in that plan is, that Sinclair has performed better than Lycett in the 2 games so far. Are you sure Lycett is the man, if NicNat goes down?

 

[Bobbie]

Can we just scrap the ruck position all together and get more mids?

 

[Slammer]

Currently have Nic Nat and Leuy. After watching first NAB game I must admit I am a little concerned. With Lycett and Sinclair going ok, I am thinking all three will share the ruck load and this could have a big effect on Nic Nat. Similiar with Leuy. Archie played today and looked ok and with Martin to come back, it may also play apart in Leuy dominating in the Ruck.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Currently have Nic Nat and Leuy. After watching first NAB game I must admit I am a little concerned. With Lycett and Sinclair going ok, I am thinking all three will share the ruck load and this could have a big effect on Nic Nat. Similiar with Leuy. Archie played today and looked ok and with Martin to come back, it may also play apart in Leuy dominating in the Ruck.

This reminds me of the Goldy/Curry dilemma from 2 seasons ago. Curry played a lot of time in the NAB and people thought he would share the ruck with Goldy during the season proper. But Round 1 came along and Goldy rucked alone.
I have no special insight into what WCE will do, but I am wiling to bet that they are just giving all the rucks a run and that come round 1, NicNat will be the main man (possibly with some minor sharing with 1 of the other guys).

 

[Lost In The Sky]

Question for you LITS, as you're our go to WC man.
Sinclair seems to have performed better than Lycett in the 2 games so far. Is there any chance he might tip Lycett out as R2 at WC? Or is it just they way WC have structured in those 2 games?

I think it's just the way things have been structured. Not sure on the actual bounces attended but Lycett did seem to be spending a fair chunk of time up forward and it did appear that Sinclair was attending more bounces. That may be Simpson being already happy with Lycett's ruck work and just trying to give him some more practice up forward.

I do know the Eagles were very happy with the way Lycett finished last season and do have big hopes for him. They have invested a hell of a lot in him and really had to work to re-sign him. I would think that he would be the second ruck but Sinclair has had a better couple of games so far.

I think the third NAB game vs Freo will give a good look at what the Eagles plan on doing. Nic Nat should be back and it will be treated as a dress rehearsal for round 1.

Another factor that I'm not to keen on but could happen with Darling out is all 3 of them play with Sinclair anchored in the goal square and Kennedy roaming a bit higher. Not a fan of that myself but it could happen.

 

[Lost In The Sky]

My take on this is that at Lycett's price there is a considerable amount of risk noting that the R2 spot looks far from settled. The coaching staff has already said that the 3 of them will be working together this season, whether that be all playing at once or rotating, which worries me. I originally thought that Lycett would play all games but now not so sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see NN rested or injured throughout the season.

I would imagine WCE will play the form ruckman given they both seem so even in ability.

A couple of thoughts... Any West Coast fan can tell you that when Nic Nat is fit to play... He will play. He is extremely important to the way we play. He won't be rested unless he is seriously injured and especially now that Cox is retired.

A lot like people and especially so called "experts" from the East Coast, like to take pot shots at NN and say thats he's not all that good. But this guy is a freak... A genuine match winner and there is no one else like him in the AFL. He may not get a ton of possessions like people want him to but the ones he does, much like Cyril Rioli are all class and can be the difference in winning a match.

As to Lycett and Sinclair being even in ability, Have disagree in a big way. Lycett is better than Sinclair in almost every aspect. Sinclair is no slouch but he is clearly the third ruckmen. There is a reason Lycett played 12 games in the second half of last year and Sinclair only 4. Sinclair may have played 2 better games so far in the pre-season but I wouldn't get carried away, A Naitanui / Lycett ruck combo when fit is whats best for our club.

 

[Lost In The Sky]

Nic Naitanui may only play one NAB Challenge match as preparation for 2015 season

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/ni...-for-2015-season/story-fndv8w9k-1227242943688

WEST Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui could enter Round 1 with just a single NAB Challenge hit-out under his belt.

The pre-season derby against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on March 22 is looming as Naitanui’s only match practice ahead of the Eagles’ season-opener against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

The dynamic big man had been completing the strongest pre-season training program of his career.

But Naitanui had his impressive summer interrupted by a back complaint and West Coast is wary of taking any risks with such a valuable asset.

The 24-year-old missed Friday’s NAB Challenge win over Carlton in Mandurah, as well as the previous week’s hit-out against the Indigenous All Stars.

Naitanui is now in doubt for his team’s next NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval next Sunday, with coach Adam Simpson saying his premier ruckman was “touch and go’’ for the Power clash.

“We don’t want to force the issue, but we want to get some games in as well,’’ Simpson said.

“The pleasing thing he’s done is he’s had a really good look at pre-season.

“So it’s not like we’re trying to cram in some work. He’s done a lot of minutes, so now it’s probably getting match fit.’’

Should Naitanui not travel to Adelaide, the Fremantle match in three weeks’ time would be his only chance to gain match practice.

However the Eagles would have the option of applying to the AFL for permission to play Naitanui for East Perth, in Round 2 of the WAFL on March 28, if they felt he needed another game.

 

[Bomber18]

@LITS

Definitely concerning!! I was considering ditching TBC cover but I think I definitely need it....

 

[NT.Thunder]

My thoughts are based on SC risk and the fact that at Lycetts price, he would want to play all games this season which IMO he's not a certainty. Form of last year is just that, form of last year. Lycett may have been the prefered option but if Sinclair has shown further development than I'm sure the club will assess that and reward him if it's deserved. This could mean less minutes for Lycett or a spell in WAFL.

I won't argue with WC experts, I mean, all those years of cursing and bashing Priddis has finally paid off, I mean you pushed him to win a brownlow which now most fans say was always in the bag.

My point is purely SC based on, let's say an outsiders neutral perspective. No one doubts NN's value but I do doubt he's ability to run out the season wh I is being supported by his NAB cup preparation. I have no doubt if he's not right he'll be rested and ATM he doesn't appear to be right and is being rested.

 

[Grant]

Anyone have concerns starting with Nic Nat? He didn't play in their first NAB game and is 50/50 to play in their next game.

I've jumped off him and I'm now 90% sure that I'll pick Goldstein and Leuenberger. I expect a fit Naitanui and Goldstein to both average about 105-110 but I think the extra 94k will be worth it to get Goldy because he'll probably play at least two games more.

 

[Aneil915]

I've jumped off him and I'm now 90% sure that I'll pick Goldstein and Leuenberger. I expect a fit Naitanui and Goldstein to both average about 105-110 but I think the extra 94k will be worth it to get Goldy because he'll probably play at least two games more.

100% agree. I've done the same thing today! Then hopefully turn Leuenberger into Jacobs during the season..