Position 2023: Ruck Discussion

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Is there anything to suggest they will be going back the 1 ruckman?

Fort fell out of favour in the second half of the season, playing only 5 games after R12, and 3 of them as the sub.

Issue is they were using McStay as the chop out, who's now gone, don't think they'd risk chucking Daniher into the ruck with injury history, although that's improved a lot since moving to Bris.



Might be forced to pick an OMac/Blics/Nank type now with English having another niggle, not ideal.

I think they were sort of forced to play Fort early for structural reasons, rather than necessarily wanting to.

Hipwood missed the first 8 games, then Daniher missed rounds 8 - 12 inclusive. If you are going to play Fort, you kind of have to utilise his rucking, obviously at the expense of Omac.

As you say, he only played 2 non-sub games from then on. That would have coincided with Eric, Joe and McStay all being available. If you like Oscar, that is a good sign.
 
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Marshall & Madden have been the 2 constants in my ruck line since SC opened, the other spot has had 5 different rucks roll through it so far :ROFLMAO:
I hear ya Shannon, I've rotated from Grundy to Witts to Cameron several times, keep going back to Grundy/Marshall
Marshall is the only Ruckman that I am confident on starting. The article below reinforces that.


#12 Most Relevant | Rowan Marshall - Coaches Panel
Monday, February 13, 2023

.............Watching coaches flip-flop on Rowan Marshall in the o***eason was exceptionally fun to spectate. One minute they’re excited to start him due to the absence of Paddy Ryder. The next minute, they’re fading on starting him due to a long-term injury to Max King. Honestly, it’s one of the most bizarre narratives developed in the o***eason. The only similarity between Max’s injury and Rowan himself is that they share the same team. However, they do not, under any circumstance, have any connection to the role that Marshall will play in 2023.

Assuming that the absence of the Saints landmark key position player means Marshall must play as a primary forward shows a general lack of understanding about the Saints list. Beyond Rowan, the only pure ruckman they have on the list is developing Max Heath. If push came to shove and he had to play at the elite level, I’m sure he could, but he’s not pushing Rowan out. Next in line is a few part-timers, Tom Campbell and Jack Hayes. The latter should be the clubs leading relief ruck candidate after overcoming his ACL injury in 2022. Lastly, it’s the new draftee Isaac Keeler. He’s the club’s last-line option in the ruck and will take significant time to develop to be ready for play at the AFL level. Rowan is a lock to be the club’s lead ruck and take the primary share in the #1 role. Others will play a relieving role, but that will be a small percentage clip and not significant enough to rule Marshall out of fantasy football relevance. He is and will be the saints #1 ruckman.

This narrative was squashed by Rowan himself with an interview with channel seven reporter Mitch Cleary. He clearly states within it that he will be the Saints leading ruckman and, more importantly, that he’s stronger and healthier than ever.............
 
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Marshall is the only Ruckman that I am confident on starting. The article below reinforces that.


#12 Most Relevant | Rowan Marshall - Coaches Panel
Monday, February 13, 2023

.............Watching coaches flip-flop on Rowan Marshall in the o***eason was exceptionally fun to spectate. One minute they’re excited to start him due to the absence of Paddy Ryder. The next minute, they’re fading on starting him due to a long-term injury to Max King. Honestly, it’s one of the most bizarre narratives developed in the o***eason. The only similarity between Max’s injury and Rowan himself is that they share the same team. However, they do not, under any circumstance, have any connection to the role that Marshall will play in 2023.

Assuming that the absence of the Saints landmark key position player means Marshall must play as a primary forward shows a general lack of understanding about the Saints list. Beyond Rowan, the only pure ruckman they have on the list is developing Max Heath. If push came to shove and he had to play at the elite level, I’m sure he could, but he’s not pushing Rowan out. Next in line is a few part-timers, Tom Campbell and Jack Hayes. The latter should be the clubs leading relief ruck candidate after overcoming his ACL injury in 2022. Lastly, it’s the new draftee Isaac Keeler. He’s the club’s last-line option in the ruck and will take significant time to develop to be ready for play at the AFL level. Rowan is a lock to be the club’s lead ruck and take the primary share in the #1 role. Others will play a relieving role, but that will be a small percentage clip and not significant enough to rule Marshall out of fantasy football relevance. He is and will be the saints #1 ruckman.

This narrative was squashed by Rowan himself with an interview with channel seven reporter Mitch Cleary. He clearly states within it that he will be the Saints leading ruckman and, more importantly, that he’s stronger and healthier than ever.............
Yeah Saints looking to 196cm key fwd Callista or something like that for last spot on list after impressing in try outs
 
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I actually really like OMc as an option if they do go wide of Fort, which they should but AFL coaches gonna AFL coach...

With Fort last year he averaged 86.4 from 15. With McStay he averaged 97 from 6. His last 4 full games (removed the injury) including finals he averaged 106, all without Fort.

The Fort factor is very noteworthy, who knows what they will do, there's no doubt that OMc is a MUCH better player without him, whether they're a better side is a bigger question. I'm not sure how they can play Fort, Daniher, Hipwood and Gunston without huge sacrifices at ground level, I don't see how it works but that doesn't mean they wont try it often.

Will be watching preseason very closely as OMc as a lone ruck is a ~100 guy which could make him a decent value starting pick. Also capable of huge scores so could bridge to whoever ends up at the top.
Had strong pre season i read a month ago...
 
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I think they were sort of forced to play Fort early for structural reasons, rather than necessarily wanting to.

Hipwood missed the first 8 games, then Daniher missed rounds 8 - 12 inclusive. If you are going to play Fort, you kind of have to utilise his rucking, obviously at the expense of Omac.

As you say, he only played 2 non-sub games from then on. That would have coincided with Eric, Joe and McStay all being available. If you like Oscar, that is a good sign.
Looks like you are spot on with this assessment, forgot that Hopwood was returning from injury and missed the first chunk of the season.

Only question now is who does the chop out role with McStay gone?
The Big O's SC history :-

View attachment 52605

Priced at 487K - I just don't think he will every be a true premium SC ruck, game style just doesn't seem suited.
His finish to 2021 interested me, but then they picked up Fort in the off season, and he was named round 1, so it killed the pick.

Pre Bye in 2021 he averaged 78.
Post bye he averaged 110.6 (scores of 127 and 82 in finals too).
1 H&A score under 90, and that was round 14. His last 9 weeks were all great scores.

Don't know what caused the sharp spike in scores, will have to go back over those games, but there's definitely some potential there.
 

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Pre Bye in 2021 he averaged 78.
Post bye he averaged 110.6 (scores of 127 and 82 in finals too).
1 H&A score under 90, and that was round 14. His last 9 weeks were all great scores.

Don't know what caused the sharp spike in scores, will have to go back over those games, but there's definitely some potential there.
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Seeing Meek mentioned gives me pause for thought.

Was sought out off season, can he take the number one mantle at Hawthorn?

Also what was Mitchell's preference last year, playing one or two rucks?
🤔
 
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Not sure Brisbane want to throw Daniher into the Ruck as much as they used McStay, expect Fort will still be used a fair bit, especially when they have the ability to just sub him out.
 
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Seeing Meek mentioned gives me pause for thought.

Was sought out off season, can he take the number one mantle at Hawthorn?

Also what was Mitchell's preference last year, playing one or two rucks?
🤔
We went into round 1 with both Reeves and Lynch last year. By QTR time Lynch got knocked out.

Reeves played 12 games, Lynch played 7 and Kosi was a makeshift ruck at times with 15.

I personally think we aren't playing 1 ruck because it could be a real weapon for us having 2 decent rucks working over a team playing one or with a poor 2nd, and I just don't see us letting 2 rucks wilt in the VFL.

It's yet to be determined if we even have 2 decent rucks too, but if I have learnt anything thus far, Sam is all in on finding out.
 
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Seeing Meek mentioned gives me pause for thought.

Was sought out off season, can he take the number one mantle at Hawthorn?

Also what was Mitchell's preference last year, playing one or two rucks?
🤔
Played 2 Rucks any time they were fit, McEvoy was a more than handy forward though don't really see how it works with Reeves and Meek, could easily just both be in and out depending on which one is in the better form.
 
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