Well Ruck Me.

[Mofra]

Do you think there is room for Boyd in the current set up?

On current form and development, no.

In 2017 or 2018, yes.

I don't think we have a specific "formula" that we're looking for, just to overall play the players who are performing best. Boyd has a lot to work with but as much to work on with his game.

[BulldogBelle]

Western Bulldogs among league’s best a shutting down opposition big men
May 7, 2016 10:00am
Ben Higgins
Herald Sun


SO MUCH for the Western Bulldogs’ ruck department being in crisis.

After six rounds, it’s anything but crisis at Whitten Oval with the club’s big men putting the stoppers on opposition rivals better than anyone in the league.

Jordan Roughead took the No.1 ruck mantle almost by default in Round 1 with Tom Campbell and Will Minson injured but has defied the doubters and his dodgy shoulders to give his midfielders first use or break even and cause a contest when the ball hits the ground.

Campbell has returned to the team and formed a strong double team with Roughead forcing former All-Australian Minson to ply his trade in the VFL.

Champion Data statistics reveal the Bulldogs’ rucks win the hitout 39 per cent of the time - compared to 47 per cent by the opposition - but amazingly have a better hitout to advantage rate, 11.8 per cent to 11.6 per cent.

It’s quality over quantity for Luke Beveridge’s men and it’s proving a winning formula.

“That’s one area that was a perceived little black hole in our side that we feel like we’re definitely matching and getting over the top of sides (in) from week to week,” Beveridge said.

“They continue to get better and better. We’ve got a dual approach, which some other clubs haven’t had. We really like the way that Jordan (Roughead) and Tommy Campbell have approached it.

“Between the two of them they probably should have kicked a few goals last week, and that would have been a great result against the recognised number one ruckman in the competition (Todd Goldstein).

“We feel pretty good about that and good about the boys there and their prospects going into Saturday night.

The Western Bulldogs have conceded just 56.9 SuperCoach points on average to opposition ruckmen in the opening six weeks, equal best with West Coast.

While the Eagles possess the high-leaping Nic Naitanui, the Dogs are approaching the ruck battle a very different way.

North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein has been almost unstoppable in the past 18 months but was well held on last Friday night.

Goldstein has averaged 14 disposals at 76 per cent efficiency, 36 hitouts, 12 hitouts to advantage, 3.5 clearances, 128 SuperCoach points and kicked nine goals this season.

Against the Bulldogs, Goldstein was limited to eight disposals at 50 per cent efficiency, 40 hitouts, nine to advantage, zero clearances and zero goals for 49 SuperCoach points.

Despite losing the hitouts 33-49, the Dogs were clear winners in the clearances 44-31 and contested possession 164-151.

While the Bulldogs’ clearance work is well known, having won five and drawn once in the first six weeks, the Dogs ruckwork has been flying under the radar.

The Dogs - whether it be Roughead alone or in combination with Campbell - have claimed the hitouts head-to-head in three of six weeks, including a 33-20 decision over Brisbane gun Stef Martin.

Of the nine recognised ruckmen the Bulldogs have faced this season, six have scored below their ranking points average.

Hawthorn veteran Ben McEvoy’s 88 in the thrilling Round 3 clash is the highest SuperCoach score conceded to opposition ruckmen this season.

On Saturday night, Sam Jacobs is Adelaide’s No.1 ruckman and played a pivotal role in the Crows’ elimination final win last season.

Jacobs racked up 39 hitouts, 15 disposals, three clearances and four tackles on that night opposed to Minson.

This season, Jacobs has averaged 16 disposals and 35 hitouts, it will be interesting to see if he can keep up those numbers at Etihad Stadium.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/af...6e6cf12b9fa819

[LostDoggy]

It will be interesting to see how Camhead go against Port this weekend. Coming up against Trengrove who they really should dominate.

Do they perform better with a big challenge set against really quality rucks? Hopefully they don't get complacent.

[bulldogtragic]

Thanks for the article, that's a month old. There were 3 long pieces on Camhead today.

I wonder how the coaches are voting with the B&F, or who they have ahead of either. They're equal partners virtually.

[BulldogBelle]

Thanks for the article, that's a month old. There were 3 long pieces on Camhead today.

I wonder how the coaches are voting with the B&F, or who they have ahead of either. They're equal partners virtually.

Oops!
If some one can give me a link to the HUN article l will copy and past it. l cant seem to find it.

[bulldogtragic]

Whilst not a fancied ruck club, Camhead smashed them pretty much 2-1for hit outs and were involved in centre clearance and ground clearance advantages today. Roughy getting a career best 29 hit outs. Camhead gets another victory notched on their belts.

[Bulldog4life]

Whilst not a fancied ruck club, Camhead smashed them pretty much 2-1for hit outs and were involved in centre clearance and ground clearance advantages today. Roughy getting a career best 29 hit outs. Camhead gets another victory notched on their belts.

I love Camhead.

[bulldogtragic]

I love Camhead. But I love this move. The MC have wound Will up all season by not promoting him with very good VFL form, he would be coiled and ready to unleash to keep the spot. I'm thinking Will won't for one second take this opportunity for granted and fight like hell to retain his spot. If that happens, that's going to a be a great thing for the team.

[Ozza]

Seeing Will live a couple of weeks ago (albeit VFL level) I thought he was quite busy around the ground and good when he got the footy. Hopefully we see some of that in this next crack at AFL level.

[EasternWest]

Seeing Will live a couple of weeks ago (albeit VFL level) I thought he was quite busy around the ground and good when he got the footy. Hopefully we see some of that in this next crack at AFL level.

Whatever happens to Will going forward his attitude can't be questioned. He's taken his medicine in the twos and just kept plugging away. Much respect.

If he leaves next year because he gets a better shot at playing seniors elsewhere he goes with my blessing.

[LostDoggy]

Whatever happens to Will going forward his attitude can't be questioned. He's taken his medicine in the twos and just kept plugging away. Much respect.

If he leaves next year because he gets a better shot at playing seniors elsewhere he goes with my blessing.

Here,Here.
Well said EW.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Much respect goes out to the Minnow.

[bulldogtragic]

Outside of injuries or a farewell game against Essendon, and with getting dropped this week, I think that we have seen the last of Minson in our AFL jumper after 190 games. The only question is can he get another season or two of superannuation at another club like Ben Hudson.

[Ghost Dog]

Against a premiership contender I thought we did really well in the ruck against Geelong.
How much more development we can get out of TCampbell is a question.
I worry about putting Tom in the middle - he's a blue chip forward, needs to be protected. Did great I thought.

Bring in Minno. Hurts me to say this - Likely with injuries, we won't go deep into finals. Rest Roughy. Poor guy looks absolutely gassed.
Used to worry about him every time he went near the ball. Has become a bit more resilient. Well done.

[Mantis]

I thought we were smashed in the ruck.. Roughy just doesn't have the strength or durability to play the first ruck role we require ( ruck at least 75% game time). Can't remember a player who is in the hands of the trainers as much as Roughy is.

Boyd needs to be a pinch hit in the ruck and not spend more than 5-7min a qtr in the role... That's not the case at the minute.

[hujsh]

I thought we were smashed in the ruck.. Roughy just doesn't have the strength or durability to play the first ruck role we require ( ruck at least 75% game time). Can't remember a player who is in the hands of the trainers as much as Roughy is.

Boyd needs to be a pinch hit in the ruck and not spend more than 5-7min a qtr in the role... That's not the case at the minute.

So Campbell to be first Ruck as he can presumably put in the required minutes. Roughead as utility? Do we get Vardy as speculation and/or backup (though you'd probably want more reliable backup)