Position 2023: Ruck Discussion

[Shaunpro1]

I'm possibly wrong here but is Hawkins out for the 1st 6 weeks or so? Heard it somewhere a while back, I think Shannon Neale, who looked like Hawks replacement, just did a hammy and might miss the start too.

My mail as of early this week was they expect Hawkins to play the early rounds but arent going to rush him to get up for Round 1, Neale was only a low grade ankle sprain in the end so should be right for Round 1, club docs initially thought hed done his knee when he went down so a good result.

I honestly think they'd swing Jack Henry forward before we played Sav forward, that in itself would allow Sav to play defence though.

 

[NT.Thunder]

My mail as of early this week was they expect Hawkins to play the early rounds but arent going to rush him to get up for Round 1, Neale was only a low grade ankle sprain in the end so should be right for Round 1, club docs initially thought hed done his knee when he went down so a good result.

I honestly think they'd swing Jack Henry forward before we played Sav forward, that in itself would allow Sav to play defence though.

Just play Dangerfield out of the square

 

[Bermi]

Collingwood bolster ruck stocks with SANFL recruit
Story by Shayne Hope • 3h ago

Collingwood have bolstered their ruck stocks by adding West Adelaide teenager Oscar Steene to their rookie list.

Brodie Grundy's trade to Melbourne has led Collingwood to sign West Adelaide ruckman Oscar Steene.© James Ross/AAP PHOTOS

The Magpies were thin in that area after offloading first-choice ruckman Brodie Grundy in last year's trade period.
That decision, which eased salary cap pressure, left Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox and youngster Aiden Begg at coach Craig McRae's disposal.
The acquisition of 201cm prospect Steene adds depth to the ruck department.
The 19-year-old has trained with Collingwood since November and was told on Monday he had earnt himself a contract.
"Oscar filled a position of need and has fitted into our environment seamlessly," Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said in a statement.
"He has shown a good ability to learn and improve his craft, and his self-development is getting better day-by-day.
"We believe Oscar could play a key role in our AFL program this year and into the future."
Cameron played 24 of a possible 25 games last season, with Grundy missing most of the campaign through injury.
The 27-year-old will likely lead the Magpies' ruck in 2023 but is currently on light duties after straining a hamstring at training last week.
Cameron is expected to be fit to take part in pre-season fixtures before Collingwood's round-one battle with reigning premiers Geelong on March 17.

----------------------------------------------
Oscar Steene
Collingwood Ruck
Price
$102,400

 

[Harmonic Nine]

I'm just glad he's not a RUC/FWD. Nic Madden has really cemented himself in that spot for mine. Although competition for spots is always good!

 

[wogitalia]

His ability to play defence is severely overrated, played one game against West Coasts rabble where the ball hardly went down there (gave up 27 inside 50s for the whole game) and his direct opponent still kicked goals on him the rest is a handful of games against VFL journeymen who he really should be beating, the two games SDK missed Blicavs played defence, hell get a game or two when they manage for the sake of managing but hes a mile off the best 22, dont think he's best 30 tbh would be surprised if he wasnt low key filthy that the trade request was blocked.

Agree entirely, I would expect Rat is two injuries deep at every position he plays. If Blicavs was injured he'd elevate because he's ahead of him as a ruck and KPD option in case of injuries to others.

My mail as of early this week was they expect Hawkins to play the early rounds but arent going to rush him to get up for Round 1, Neale was only a low grade ankle sprain in the end so should be right for Round 1, club docs initially thought hed done his knee when he went down so a good result.

I honestly think they'd swing Jack Henry forward before we played Sav forward, that in itself would allow Sav to play defence though.

Not sure they really need to do anything special. Cameron, Henry, Rohan and Danger still presents plenty of aerial options without having to compromise in any way to do it. I personally assumed they'd cover Hawk like that anyway rather than forcing someone else in. Biggest loss of Hawk is his F50 ruckwork is irreplaceable by anyone on their list (or basically anyone not named Gawn and maybe a Dixon to be honest).

Cats remain loaded, really their only concern is if age and all the extra games played start to kick in at some point as there's a bit of a gap in the list if that did happen. Not really concerned though, they've done a great job of turning over the older guys and replacing them to date.

 

[Connoisseur]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1622705320668835840

 

[Connoisseur]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1620983496339759106

 

[TBG]

Is it silly to start Gawn as R1? Either way you think you would want him side at seasons end but if he gets R/F you have started a ruck who should become a top 10 forward and if he doesn't get R/F it means he's played mostly ruck which means you started a ruck who should be top 5 in the ruck position. PS. Is English injured ATM because I thought I've heard he's carrying an injury. If it's true, surely it's hard to start with him which is a shame because I think he could be a top 3 ruck if he could stay in the park but that is a big if!!!

 

[Feerits Elf]

Either way you think you would want Gawn side at seasons end

Justification?

 

[AngryAnt]

Is it silly to start Gawn as R1? Either way you think you would want him side at seasons end but if he gets R/F you have started a ruck who should become a top 10 forward and if he doesn't get R/F it means he's played mostly ruck which means you started a ruck who should be top 5 in the ruck position. PS. Is English injured ATM because I thought I've heard he's carrying an injury. If it's true, surely it's hard to start with him which is a shame because I think he could be a top 3 ruck if he could stay in the park but that is a big if!!!

Wouldn't it be better to not start him (and pay $622k) if there is an expectation that he will be playing forward (with the assumed scoring and price reduction), and then picking him up for a cheaper price if/when he gains R/F status?

 

[Shannon]

Interesting comments from Ryan Daniels who has watched many of Freo's training sessions :-

Channel Seven’s Ryan Daniels says Justin Longmuir’s men should be among the final four in 2023.

With a number of positional changes and new recruits, Daniels – who has spent time watching the training track – is bullish on the Dockers.

“Fremantle, there’s a lot of buzz over here … these guys are ready,” he began on SEN Sportsday.

“They were so impressive last year, many didn’t expect them to be as good as they were, they sort of fell apart towards the end of the season because they’re such a young side.

“You’ve got Nat Fyfe training exclusively with the forwards, which is what people have been pushing for a while, they’ve got a really good strong young midfield, and Luke Jackson, don’t worry about Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson sharing the ruck, this kid is playing everywhere.”

The insight into the Darcy/Jackson combination is of particular note given the question marks that came with the former Demon’s recruitment.

Jackson showed talent in his time under Simon Goodwin but wasn’t at his damaging best as a forward and averaged just 0.5 goals a game.

With Sean Darcy locked in as Fremantle’s primary ruckman, it created a good problem to have for Longmuir when Jackson requested a trade last year.

According to Daniels, the 199cm Jackson won’t only play in the same team as Darcy, but could even feature in the same clearances.

“This kid is playing like a cannonball, you watch him at training and he’s roving half the time,” Daniels continued.

“If there’s a stoppage on the wing or at half-back or half-forward he’s around the ball with Darcy as well… what we will see if two of them running around that midfield and just throwing that weight around.

“Jackson moves like a midfielder. My expectation for him in the next couple of years is still as big as it ever was. I think he could be one of the best players in the AFL within 2-3 years, I really do.”

 

[Wheedus]

With Sean Darcy locked in as Fremantle’s primary ruckman, it created a good problem to have for Longmuir when Jackson requested a trade last year.

According to Daniels, the 199cm Jackson won’t only play in the same team as Darcy, but could even feature in the same clearances.

“This kid is playing like a cannonball, you watch him at training and he’s roving half the time,” Daniels continued.

“If there’s a stoppage on the wing or at half-back or half-forward he’s around the ball with Darcy as well… what we will see if two of them running around that midfield and just throwing that weight around.

“Jackson moves like a midfielder. My expectation for him in the next couple of years is still as big as it ever was. I think he could be one of the best players in the AFL within 2-3 years, I really do.”

Jackson going full Blicavs

 

[Wheedus]

Ruckmen = the new big bodied mids

 

[Feerits Elf]

Interesting comments from Ryan Daniels who has watched many of Freo's training sessions :-

Channel Seven’s Ryan Daniels says Justin Longmuir’s men should be among the final four in 2023.

With a number of positional changes and new recruits, Daniels – who has spent time watching the training track – is bullish on the Dockers.

“Fremantle, there’s a lot of buzz over here … these guys are ready,” he began on SEN Sportsday.

“They were so impressive last year, many didn’t expect them to be as good as they were, they sort of fell apart towards the end of the season because they’re such a young side.

“You’ve got Nat Fyfe training exclusively with the forwards, which is what people have been pushing for a while, they’ve got a really good strong young midfield, and Luke Jackson, don’t worry about Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson sharing the ruck, this kid is playing everywhere.”

The insight into the Darcy/Jackson combination is of particular note given the question marks that came with the former Demon’s recruitment.

Jackson showed talent in his time under Simon Goodwin but wasn’t at his damaging best as a forward and averaged just 0.5 goals a game.

With Sean Darcy locked in as Fremantle’s primary ruckman, it created a good problem to have for Longmuir when Jackson requested a trade last year.

According to Daniels, the 199cm Jackson won’t only play in the same team as Darcy, but could even feature in the same clearances.

“This kid is playing like a cannonball, you watch him at training and he’s roving half the time,” Daniels continued.

“If there’s a stoppage on the wing or at half-back or half-forward he’s around the ball with Darcy as well… what we will see if two of them running around that midfield and just throwing that weight around.

“Jackson moves like a midfielder. My expectation for him in the next couple of years is still as big as it ever was. I think he could be one of the best players in the AFL within 2-3 years, I really do.”

Call me cynical, but isn't it strongly in the interests of Channel Seven Perth - and therefore strongly in the interests of Ryan Daniels - for him to be bullish on the finals prospects of the Fremantle Dockers and the dynamism of a young ruckman just recruited to the club?

 

[Shannon]

Call me cynical, but isn't it strongly in the interests of Channel Seven Perth - and therefore strongly in the interests of Ryan Daniels - for him to be bullish on the finals prospects of the Fremantle Dockers and the dynamism of a young ruckman just recruited to the club?

Valid points but I certainly can see why he is being so bullish on both fronts. The vision I have seen from Freo's match sims shows them playing at a high intensity/ much higher than last year for example, playing at a very high pace for this time of year & Jackson's athletic ability is very impressive, I have no doubt this kid will be one of the best players in the league over the next few years.

 

[Under The Dome]

Darcy R1 and Jackson R2

 

[Feerits Elf]

Valid points but I certainly can see why he is being so bullish on both fronts.

If he were bearish, would we know?

Jackson's athletic ability is very impressive, I have no doubt this kid will be one of the best players in the league over the next few years.

Yeah, but your position is neutral so your opinion means something.

 

[Manikato1]

Call me cynical, but isn't it strongly in the interests of Channel Seven Perth - and therefore strongly in the interests of Ryan Daniels - for him to be bullish on the finals prospects of the Fremantle Dockers and the dynamism of a young ruckman just recruited to the club?

He is a sports journalist (a pretty good one actually) and so that is what Ch7 pay him for. To produce copy they can flog on the evening news bulletin.

Don't know which state you live in but this is nothing to the promotion NicNat was getting in earlier years in prime time news TV. It was just constant, even when he was injured and not playing they continued to produce stories with him as the hook. Beat everywhere Eddie hands down.

In any event Freo are probably top 4 contenders and as in respect of Jackson, prior to the draft he was being promoted here in Perth on radio as a once in a generation prospect.

 

[Feerits Elf]

In any event Freo are probably top 4 contenders and as in respect of Jackson, prior to the draft he was being promoted here in Perth on radio as a once in a generation prospect.

Exactly, so Daniels has said a whole lotta nothing as duly reported by SEN

 

[Rowsus]

I'm a gluten for punishment. Probably start Darcy if no issues with his body preseason.

Maybe try a gluten free diet then.