Position 2023: Ruck Discussion

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True, comments in this thread would suggest otherwise.
Pot stirring in the lead up to rd 1 kick off? :unsure:

I would be lying if I said I hasn't considered what I could do about Marshall, but then put it in the 'future issues to deal with' basket.
 
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Is anyone picking Draper?
Ranked ninth in selections...more selections than Gawn, Grundy and comparable with Witts...solo ruck, durable, good place holder who shouldn't lose too much value and makes my bench rookies all look much better whilst scoping out the landscape. Plays like Marshall, so yes, yes indeed. (just do not mention his draw)
 
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Ranked ninth in selections...more selections than Gawn, Grundy and comparable with Witts...solo ruck, durable, good place holder who shouldn't lose too much value and makes my bench rookies all look much better whilst scoping out the landscape. Plays like Marshall, so yes, yes indeed. (just do not mention his draw)
Good to hear something positive about him cheers.
 
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Ranked ninth in selections...more selections than Gawn, Grundy and comparable with Witts...solo ruck, durable, good place holder who shouldn't lose too much value and makes my bench rookies all look much better whilst scoping out the landscape. Plays like Marshall, so yes, yes indeed. (just do not mention his draw)
The issue i had with Draper was he didnt ruck fwd at all, that was Wright for most of the game. However with Campbell effecting Marshalls ruck time i am warming to Draper as a place holder to go above his avg
 
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Plus, I can't understate that Grundy has found a lot of injuries the last couple of years, the odds at this point definitely say he gets injured at some point, if that was round 3, Gawn is going to be a very hard player to buy come round 6 or 7. For me that chance is definitely worth considering because I don't think Witts, English or even Darcy (especially with Jackson) can match Gawn's scoring if he does end up the lone ruck.
I don't know that you're right there Wogi and I've heard you say it a coupe of times so I might pull you up on it.

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At a glance, it looks like he missed no more than a game a season from 2018 through 20. In 2021, he was subbed off and missed 2 games, can't remember why. But this was leading up to the bye where traditionally players are being given the extra week to "get themselves cherry-ripe" and as we were losing everything by that stage as well, the club was in no mood to risk a marquee player, especially on a trip to Sydney for the QB game against Melbourne.

Last year he did his PCL in round 6 and was always against the clock to be fit and in form by finals. In the attempt to get back in time, he strained one of his leg muscles IIRC. That he might have already checked out from the club by round 7 anyway wouldn't have helped.

So I'm not sure that we can say he has "started picking up injuries". I count 2 fresh injuries and a third from rushing back. And the PCL injury was a direct result of Draper raising the knee into him all game on ANZAC Day, not as a result of the sort of structural weakness his age would have you worried about (he is only 28 after all)
 
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In 2021, he was subbed off and missed 2 games, can't remember why. But this was leading up to the bye where traditionally players are being given the extra week to "get themselves cherry-ripe" and as we were losing everything by that stage as well, the club was in no mood to risk a marquee player, especially on a trip to Sydney for the QB game against Melbourne.
I'm pretty sure this was a neck injury. Happened right around the byes so a lot of people took the chance to slingshot - was expected to miss more than two games at the time, from memory.
 
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I'm pretty sure this was a neck injury. Happened right around the byes so a lot of people took the chance to slingshot - was expected to miss more than two games at the time, from memory.
Yeah I've blocked so much of season 2021 from my memory. Vaguely remember something about maybe not having enough players to finish off the last 5 rounds and Jack Madgen playing key defense and ... ahhhh just spewed on my keyboard.
 
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Does Xerri offer a an upgrade path until rucks sort themselves out, and provide the cash to upgrade a rookie or midpricer at the same time?
Is he capable of scoring 90?
Looking at running Darcy/Marshall which is risky enough for my blood. Also doubt that Xerri is a top3 ruck so even if he worked, I'd be losing a prem from my ruck line. Would have to buy a prem on another line to compensate and I don't know which of my value picks I'd like to let go.
 
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Does Xerri offer a an upgrade path until rucks sort themselves out, and provide the cash to upgrade a rookie or midpricer at the same time?
Is he capable of scoring 90?
We started with Xerri as the primary ruck last season as well.

After a few weeks Goldy was very much back in the picture and they were ruck sharing.
 
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We started with Xerri as the primary ruck last season as well.

After a few weeks Goldy was very much back in the picture and they were ruck sharing.
Listening to Clarko press conference, it kinda sounded like they will play 2 rucks throughout the year, but this week it wasn't really required.

Would hazard a guess they'll definitely run Goldy/Xerri next week against Darcy/Jackson.
 
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I think people may be over reacting a little to the Tom Campbell quote personally. Feels like some classic Ross Lyon bull**** to me - lets see if he even gets named first.

Does make some sense for the saints to want some help for him in round 1 against the Darcy/Jackson combo but Marshall is still the main guy and I don't think Campbell is anywhere near their long term or even medium terms plans.

We only have one game of data to work off when they have both played together and it although it doesn't read well it's a very small sample space with a different coach when the Saints season was already over.
campbell could end up just size for fwd with how thin they are in that area. When at the dogs he was capable of 2-3 goals
 
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Listening to Clarko press conference, it kinda sounded like they will play 2 rucks throughout the year, but this week it wasn't really required.

Would hazard a guess they'll definitely run Goldy/Xerri next week against Darcy/Jackson.
They play freo next week. Could be handy info to see how North line up.
 
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Listening to Clarko press conference, it kinda sounded like they will play 2 rucks throughout the year, but this week it wasn't really required.

Would hazard a guess they'll definitely run Goldy/Xerri next week against Darcy/Jackson.
Definitely this.

Up against the might of Bailey Williams and Jamieson you may as well run just one ruck and chop out with someone who is a better forward.

Against other opponents it could be a very different story.
 
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Went Marshall to Witts the other day after Lyons comments… considering going back now that Campbell is emergency. Especially considering if you go with 2 rucks, Freo is one of the teams to do it against
I did this too, had to go Laird to Cripps to find funds, can’t reverse it now but at least I’ve got a bit of coin to play with. Thinking Gulden to Cogs?
 
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