Position 2021: Ruck Discussion
- Thread starter THCLT
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Longmuir yesterday was quoted as saying that he is hopeful Darcy will play and did not confirm Meek would debut. I take that as Darcy is still the first choice ruck and/or his preference is to run both. But they may be forced into running Meek solo for one round. Darcy if close this week will therefore play R2.
So the best case scenario is Meek rucks solo for 1 game? And then he's either out or sharing the rucks with Darcy?
Is this what we think?
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/fi...e-ruck-battle-against-max-gawn-ng-b881823342z
So the best case scenario is Meek rucks solo for 1 game? And then he's either out or sharing the rucks with Darcy?
Is this what we think?
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/fi...e-ruck-battle-against-max-gawn-ng-b881823342z
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Those banking on Meek would be doing so with the knowledge that Darcy could play as well. If not round 1, then soon afterwards.
However, unless Darcy is some sort of athletic freak, he is going to be badly underdone to begin with. He probably wouldn't play at all if Freo had a full array of tall forwards to pick from. You would imagine that he provides some form of ruck relief, but that happens to all number one rucks (Meek in this case due to superior fitness).
Given so many of Freo's talls are going to be compromised from a fitness perspective even when they do return, you'd imagine that a fit Meek is going to be very important for quite a while.
However, unless Darcy is some sort of athletic freak, he is going to be badly underdone to begin with. He probably wouldn't play at all if Freo had a full array of tall forwards to pick from. You would imagine that he provides some form of ruck relief, but that happens to all number one rucks (Meek in this case due to superior fitness).
Given so many of Freo's talls are going to be compromised from a fitness perspective even when they do return, you'd imagine that a fit Meek is going to be very important for quite a while.
That sounds very hopeful and optimistic for Meek.
If Darcy doesn’t show much effect of being “badly underdone” is he the first ruck? Or is Meek the prime ruck and Darcy mostly forward?
Or are you saying Meek is the first choice ruck?
You can’t answer i expect without a crystal ball.
I’m struggling a bit with why, if Meek is the man, they seem to be trying very hard to get Darcy into the side despite being underdone. Could be a lack of talls all round and/or the threat of Gawn.
If Darcy doesn’t show much effect of being “badly underdone” is he the first ruck? Or is Meek the prime ruck and Darcy mostly forward?
Or are you saying Meek is the first choice ruck?
You can’t answer i expect without a crystal ball.
I’m struggling a bit with why, if Meek is the man, they seem to be trying very hard to get Darcy into the side despite being underdone. Could be a lack of talls all round and/or the threat of Gawn.
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I think realistic assessment rather than "hopeful and optimistic".
If Darcy had a full preseason, the opportunity for Meek likely would not have arisen. But it has. The Freo supporters are better placed to know, but Darcy has struggled with the knee for quite a while. They are "trying very hard to get Darcy into the side" because their forwardline has been decimated by injury.
You don't need a crystal ball to work it out. One ruckman has been injured and had a compromised preseason (hence the doubt on whether they will pick him). The other ruckman has had a full preseason and rucked impressively in their practice matches. People are free to interpret that information in whatever way they like.
If Darcy had a full preseason, the opportunity for Meek likely would not have arisen. But it has. The Freo supporters are better placed to know, but Darcy has struggled with the knee for quite a while. They are "trying very hard to get Darcy into the side" because their forwardline has been decimated by injury.
You don't need a crystal ball to work it out. One ruckman has been injured and had a compromised preseason (hence the doubt on whether they will pick him). The other ruckman has had a full preseason and rucked impressively in their practice matches. People are free to interpret that information in whatever way they like.
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this starts to give me a headache - I am pretty set on Gawndy , however I don't see any good R3 choice.
Flynn has been here fore a while, however when I see the opposition's strenght in the earty game, it feels like a trap,
I read the comments on Meesk and Hunter and I am concerned with job security,
I think I am about to go fullarton / Treacy ... am I crazy ?
Flynn has been here fore a while, however when I see the opposition's strenght in the earty game, it feels like a trap,
I read the comments on Meesk and Hunter and I am concerned with job security,
I think I am about to go fullarton / Treacy ... am I crazy ?
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Ouch.
Although out of all of the rucks Gawn is the least worst candidate for a ruck - forward time split given how good he is with HTA's and how quickly he can pile up points at the CBA's. The one concern is how much this will affect his intercept marking down back, which was also a sneaky-good source of points for him in some games.
Although out of all of the rucks Gawn is the least worst candidate for a ruck - forward time split given how good he is with HTA's and how quickly he can pile up points at the CBA's. The one concern is how much this will affect his intercept marking down back, which was also a sneaky-good source of points for him in some games.
