So what difference will Hudson make next season?

[Dry Rot]

I haven't seen much of him - what difference will he make? Is any good around the ground? Who will play second ruck?

If nothing else, I suppose we'll find out if our clearance problem was the fault of the midfielders.

[mjp]

He is a strong ruckman who - in Crows colors - exhibited a real appetite for a contest...followed by another contest and another contest. Get a copy of the Crows vs Hawks final DR to have a look at what I mean.

I admit to being a huge fan and hope we can pull it off.

[The Underdog]

His stats as far as clearances are impressive, an area where it would be great to have someone to throw their weight around. Remember how good it was when Darcy would compete in the ruck and then be on the ground making space for the mids or getting it out himself?

[dog town]

Works hard below his knees for a big man a bit like Darcy and Wynd did for us in their prime. Probably not a pure tap ruckmen but more than competitive in that area. Should give us a bit of impact and presence at ground level around the stoppages. Not a huge contested mark or goal kicker but the crows game doesn't really lend itself to him having a big impact in those areas. I would say he would spend sometime up forward for us. Gets around the ground ok but he wont get you more than 20 or so disposals all that often.

[Rocco Jones]

As a few poster have mentioned, Hudson is very strong in ground level contests.

- 2nd highest average contested possessions
- 2nd highest total contested possessions

Amazing stats for a ruckman coming off a knee.

[LostDoggy]

As a few poster have mentioned, Hudson is very strong in ground level contests.

- 2nd highest average contested possessions
- 2nd highest total contested possessions

Amazing stats for a ruckman coming off a knee.

He did his knee toward the end of 2005 so he came off a knee in 2006 where he played a handful of games. He was fully fit in 2007.

[Rocco Jones]

He did his knee toward the end of 2005 so he came off a knee in 2006 where he played a handful of games. He was fully fit in 2007.

Good point young man.

[Bulldog Revolution]

He is a strong ruckman who - in Crows colors - exhibited a real appetite for a contest...followed by another contest and another contest. Get a copy of the Crows vs Hawks final DR to have a look at what I mean.

I admit to being a huge fan and hope we can pull it off.

Yep get the tape DR - mjp will even break down the clearances frame by frame for us

I like the way Hudson goes about it, physical presence and really uses it

[Dry Rot]

Begs the question then who of Skipper, Minson and Street would best compliment him as second ruck?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Begs the question then who of Skipper, Minson and Street would best compliment him as second ruck?

I think it's possible the duties will be shared between Hudson, Minson AND Skipper. For mine, Street won't be playing too much this year. I think we'll see the above three surpass him pretty quickly, if they havent already.

Hudson will obviously become our #1 ruck, and I would think that Minson - should he in fact find some consistency - become our #2 ruck. I actually don't mind this combination; if Minson can play more consistently ala Brisbane '05 then he'll be very good for us. Last year was a very bad one for Will, but I'm confident he can turn it around. To me, they seem to be a similiar type of ruckmen. Both are neither tap specialists, though they CAN use their big bodies to advantage in ruck contests. Both are pretty good at ground level and can feed the ball out themselves to the midfielders, or at least clear a path. Hudson has the stats to prove it whilst Minson has shown he has this ability, it's just a matter of stringing it together every week. If Minson can curb his aggression, then I think we'll have a good ruck combination that could certainly trouble a few. Even Geelong - this years Premiers - only had one good ruck in Ottens. Blake played above himself and struggled in the Finals whilst King is a long way past it. Hudson/Minson should at least be very competitive and should test opposition sides out. Minson's mobile for a big guy, too.

Skipper I think will play here and there in the ruck too, IF he continues his form from late this year. He was pretty good in the ruck for short periods of time before he started tiring. He took some great contested marks, he chased/tackled and showed great intensity around the ball. It was Skip working very hard and playing well, unlike his 'lucky' 5 goals v Geelong in 2005. At this stage, I think we could entertain the idea of playing Skip up forward (FF or CHF?) and then swing him into the ruck and move Minson forward. I'm not sure of Hudsons capabilities as a resting ruckmen in the forward line, but it might be handy if we could give Hudson a few spells on the bench because IMO our ruckmen seem to tire quickly. Skipper would only have to spend 10 minutes there, then come off for a rest and send Hudson back out.

The Hudson/Minson/Skipper swaps could work well and keep them fresh, I think it's certainly something the club should look at. Obviously Minson has struggled in the forward line in the past, but I feel he needs to continue to develop. I also read somewhere that Eade expected Minson to continue this type of role? In the past, Minson/Skip have been good in bursts but as the game has gone on they've tired relatively quickly. Improving their fitness plus introducing this '3 Ruck swap' could benefit them both, and help out Hudson too.

Thoughts?

[whythelongface]

I
Thoughts?

Totally agree TBB. I think Street is gone. More a liability around the ground then Minson and Skipper. Minson, like you say had an off year, however in the past has shown some potential and with actually having a very good tap ruckman on our books can only benefit - he may prosper playing second fiddle to Hudson. I am not sure of Minson's potential in the fwd line - hasn't shown enough to provide me with much confidence, therefore I would be willing to let Skipper spend extended periods of time down there. Again Skip has not been consistent as a forward and has shown more around the ground - he really needs to develop into a fwd to ensure he maintains his spot on the team.

[The Underdog]

Totally agree TBB. I think Street is gone. More a liability around the ground then Minson and Skipper. Minson, like you say had an off year, however in the past has shown some potential and with actually having a very good tap ruckman on our books can only benefit - he may prosper playing second fiddle to Hudson. I am not sure of Minson's potential in the fwd line - hasn't shown enough to provide me with much confidence, therefore I would be willing to let Skipper spend extended periods of time down there. Again Skip has not been consistent as a forward and has shown more around the ground - he really needs to develop into a fwd to ensure he maintains his spot on the team.

I agree that fully fit, Minson should take the 2nd ruck spot. I remember early last year he seemed to have quite a good understanding with Cooney, but that seems to have disappeared.Street looks to be in trouble. Unfortunately with Skipper I think he's a potentially good ruckman, if he can somehow grow 7cm. He has never shown that he can be a consistent key forward and I don't know that he has it in him. I fear that he's a ruckman in a body that's too small for the position.

[whythelongface]

. Unfortunately with Skipper I think he's a potentially good ruckman, if he can somehow grow 7cm. He has never shown that he can be a consistent key forward and I don't know that he has it in him. I fear that he's a ruckman in a body that's too small for the position.

What else do we do with the lad? Agree he hasn't been consistent as a key fwd. Do we persist and continue to try him there or do we make him our 3rd ruck option and have him play in the ressies - only call him up when needed.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Clearly Hudson will get first crack at the number 1 ruck spot, but I am not prepared to write off Street just yet. I am one of the few who rate his centre square work and believe he has the skills to be more useful around the ground than hes been previously. Basically I think he is more talented than he gets the credit for being.

Yes I expect to be lambasted for this - but Street is a good kick for goal for a guy his height and is coordinated - hes shown flashes of great skills. Clearly he is under the most pressure hes ever been in with his time with us and its up to him to respond.

I believe the second ruckmen will just come down to whoever is fit and in form - neither Minson nor Street have shown they can remain in good form for a long stretch - thats the challenge for them.

Skipper is too small to be the main man, but is a deft tap ruckman in patches, with his benefit being he is the most dangerous target when resting forward.

[Mantis]

Skipper is too small to be the main man, but is a deft tap ruckman in patches, with his benefit being he is the most dangerous target when resting forward.

I think Skipper struggles most in around the ground ruck duels. He has a pretty good leap which means he goes ok at the centre square, but around the ground and in boundary throw-in duels he struggles with his lack of size and strength being shown up by taller/ stronger ruckman.

I thought he was very good late in the season and would hope that we could possible play Hudson, Minson and Skipper in the same team, but only if both Skipper and Minson can play a more profound role in the forward line.