How Will Minson has shot to No. 1 with a bullet

[bornadog]

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The question posed in frustration by then Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade three years ago now only serves to magnify the rise of a player who was once much maligned.

Here's a statement: Will Minson is the best ruckman in the AFL.

The man who used to get more attention for knowing German and playing the saxophone is now letting his football do the talking.

Minson has launched 16.7 per cent of the Dogs' scores - 3.9 points more than any other player.

Minson has been the first link in 34 of the Bulldogs' scores.

In raw numbers he ranks second behind Dean Cox, but the Dogs have scored a lot less than West Coast.

Put simply, when Minson gets his big hands on the ball, good things happen for Brendan McCartney's mob.

He is the top-ranked ruckman in the AFL and the fifth-ranked SuperCoach player overall, up there with names like Gary Ablett, Scott Pendlebury and Jobe Watson.

Minson has been involved in 787 ruck contests - 35 more than any other player - and his 417 hitouts are a whopping 44 more than the next best.

His 130 hitouts-to-advantage are 25 more than his nearest rival.

When the All-Australian selection committee meet for the first time in two weeks, Minson should not only be in the conversation, he should be the topic starter.

When it was suggested to Dogs skipper Matthew Boyd last month that Minson was "half a chance" to become All-Australian, Boyd's response was: "Half a chance? I think you're being a bit harsh on him.

"I'd honestly say, and I'm not being biased, that he is the best ruckman in the game at the moment.

"I get to see the sort of work he does up close each week, but he has been outstanding for us.

"Without Will we might have had a few worse results. He's taken his game to a new level in the last two years."

Bulldogs 1992 Brownlow medallist Scott Wynd described Minson's rise as "spectacular".

"He's just grown and grown. I know 'Rocket' wasn't big on playing him and Ben Hudson in the same side and three years ago Will was doing exactly this in the VFL, but just couldn't get a gig," Wynd said.

"He has shouldered a hell of a lot this year with the Bulldogs struggling in most games and going in with no legitimate second ruckman most of the time."

"Doing it with a young midfield, a learning midfield, they are certainly heavily reliant on him getting his first hands on it.

"All he had to do was to see himself as the legitimate number one ruckman and I always believed he would take the next step."

[LostDoggy]

I'll fess up — I had doubts. S owonderful watching him prove us wrong.

[Bulldog Joe]

Well I can simply say well done Big Fella. Just keep it going.

I have noticed the last few games, that other coaches are really aware of Will. Even in the game against West Coast, they are regularly trying to get a third man up situation to curb his influence and even to the extent of having both opposition ruckman against him at ball ups and throw ins.

I can also say I never doubted his ability as a true ruckman.

[Axe Man]

On Footy Classified last night Caro said she thought Mike Pyke was in front of Will as the best ruckman for the season to date.

[bornadog]

On Footy Classified last night Caro said she thought Mike Pyke was in front of Will as the best ruckman for the season to date.

She would.

[Twodogs]

On Footy Classified last night Caro said she thought Mike Pyke was in front of Will as the best ruckman for the season to date.

That's exactly why Caro doesnt do match reports or analysis. She has impeccable contacts and she isnt afraid to express an opinion but she knows 3/5s of FA about how the game is played.

[LostDoggy]

Well Done William! Outstanding effort this year - passionate believer too.

Met him in his draft year in Darwin (when we were going through another pretty rough time) and I asked if he felt we would have a flag tilt in 3 or 4 years.

Looked me in the eye and said "why would I want to wait 3 years. We are going to give it a go now"

Been a fan ever since even through the brain fades. A truly great story just proving himself day after day in the right way.

[Dazza]

Big fan of Will ever since he started.

[bulldogtragic]

He's come along way from behind the shadows of Ben Hudson. Despite the issues with the Kornes, and how much I love Griff and young Wally, this guy should be captain in my book.

[Twodogs]

That's exactly why Caro doesnt do match reports or analysis. She has impeccable contacts and she isnt afraid to express an opinion but she knows 3/5s of FA about how the game is played.

And a big shout out to Will Minson.


Anybody thnk he is a chance to take Charlie home this year?

[Bulldog Joe]

And a big shout out to Will Minson.


Anybody thnk he is a chance to take Charlie home this year?

An emphatic NO.

But Griff might be more than a sneaky chance.

[bulldogtragic]

And a big shout out to Will Minson.


Anybody thnk he is a chance to take Charlie home this year?

He's been excellent, but I'm not sure it's as good as Scott's 1992, and were a bottom team.

[AndrewP6]

That's exactly why Caro doesnt do match reports or analysis. She has impeccable contacts and she isnt afraid to express an opinion but she knows 3/5s of FA about how the game is played.

That's a bit generous to her IMO.

[LostDoggy]

On Footy Classified last night Caro said she thought Mike Pyke was in front of Will as the best ruckman for the season to date.

Couldn't care less. Her opinion holds no weight with me at all.

[Remi Moses]

Paul Sydney Swans ( sorry Roos) thinks Pyke should be as well.
Minson's a mile ahead