Well Ruck Me.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

26 to 50

26	Tom De Koning	Blues	13	32 v GWS, Round 23	16.85
27	Paul Hunter	Saints	7	16 v Fremantle, Round 23	16.00
28	Timothy English	Bulldogs	18	1 v Port Adelaide, Round 23	15.61
29	Lloyd Meek	Dockers	9	27 v St Kilda, Round 23	14.22
30	Peter Ladhams	Power	15	5 v Western Bulldogs, Round 23	13.40
31	Mark Blicavs	Cats	21	5 v Melbourne, Round 23	12.33
32	Mabior Chol	Tigers	10	4 v Hawthorn, Round 23	12.30
33	Tom Campbell	Kangaroos	9	7 v Richmond, Round 21	10.78
34	Luke Jackson	Demons	21	7 v Geelong, Round 23	10.24
35	Nathan Vardy	Eagles	9	7 v Brisbane, Round 23	10.22
36	Peter Wright	Bombers	20	3 v Collingwood, Round 23	9.80
37	Chris Burgess	Suns	19	9 v Sydney, Round 23	9.32
38	Bailey Williams	Eagles	6	8 v Adelaide, Round 18	8.33
39	Joel Amartey	Swans	6	13 v GWS, Round 18	8.17
40	Sam Reid	Swans	10	2 v North Melbourne, Round 22	7.70
41	Callum Coleman-Jones	Tigers	8	12 v Hawthorn, Round 23	7.62
42	Tristan Xerri	Kangaroos	8	8 v Geelong, Round 20	7.38
43	Caleb Graham	Suns	12	7 v Brisbane, Round 19	6.83
44	Darcy Cameron	Magpies	18	4 v Essendon, Round 23	6.72
45	Esava Ratugolea	Cats	13	6 v St Kilda, Round 22	6.54
46	Lewis Young	Bulldogs	7	13 v Port Adelaide, Round 23	6.29
47	Levi Casboult	Blues	13	10 v GWS, Round 23	6.08
48	Charlie Dixon	Power	22	6 v Western Bulldogs, Round 23	4.27
49	Rory Lobb	Dockers	13	0 v Geelong, Round 18	4.15

The fact that English is just about the only 'main ruck' on this list is deeply concerning.

Probably also says Ladhams isn't what we need.

[comrade]

The fact that English is just about the only 'main ruck' on this list is deeply concerning.

Probably also says Ladhams isn't what we need.

You may be right about Ladhams, but he has Lycett take the bulk of the work. Timmy has been the main man for the past few months.

[1eyedog]

That's what I was looking for.

Looking at some of those names ON the list and the fact that English isn't even on it .... well, Tim, that's bloody awful.

It's hyper weird. He's what, 207cm and super athletic with great agility and a fantastic leap. I just don't get it. 207cm!

[Vred]

Another way to look at it.

Here are the top 25 for hitouts. Who can we target.

2021 AFL League Hitouts Per Game Leaders (Minimum 5 Games Played)

Rank Player Team Games Hitouts for Last Game Average 1 Brodie Grundy Magpies 20 23 v Essendon, Round 23 32.40 2 Max Gawn Demons 22 39 v Geelong, Round 23 31.95 3 Nicholas Naitanui Eagles 22 53 v Brisbane, Round 23 31.09 4 Patrick Ryder Saints 12 27 v West Coast, Round 19 30.00 5 Todd Goldstein Kangaroos 22 41 v Adelaide, Round 23 29.64 6 Reilly O'Brien Crows 20 28 v Port Adelaide, Round 21 29.40 7 Marc Pittonet Blues 13 27 v GWS, Round 14 29.23 8 Oscar McInerney Lions 21 24 v West Coast, Round 23 28.62 9 Sean Darcy Dockers 21 16 v St Kilda, Round 23 28.52 10 Scott Lycett Power 18 40 v Western Bulldogs, Round 23 26.50 11 Ned Reeves Hawks 5 31 v Brisbane, Round 20 26.00 12 Shane Mumford Giants 12 28 v Richmond, Round 22 24.42 13 Tom Hickey Swans 20 24 v Gold Coast, Round 23 23.55 14 Sam Draper Bombers 12 20 v Collingwood, Round 23 22.58 15 Toby Nankervis Tigers 16 23 v GWS, Round 22 22.56 16 Zac Smith Suns 9 26 v Sydney, Round 23 21.22 17 Jonathon Ceglar Hawks 12 24 v Richmond, Round 23 20.92 18 Andrew Phillips Bombers 6 25 v Richmond, Round 12 20.67 19 Jordon Sweet Bulldogs 5 17 v Melbourne, Round 11 19.80 20 Rhys Stanley Cats 16 33 v Melbourne, Round 23 19.38 21 Matthew Flynn Giants 12 22 v Sydney, Round 18 18.50 22 Rowan Marshall Saints 13 13 v Fremantle, Round 23 18.46 23 Stefan Martin Bulldogs 7 8 v Fremantle, Round 12 17.57 24 Kieren Briggs Giants 5 26 v Carlton, Round 23 17.00 25 Ben McEvoy Hawks 22 13 v Richmond, Round 23 16.86

So your telling me we have a ''top 25'' ruck on our list and have refused to develop him?

Sigh....

[jeemak]

So your telling me we have a ''top 25'' ruck on our list and have refused to develop him?

Sigh....

Are hit outs everything.........? Not sure those four hitouts a game that Sweet gets over the hitouts English gets make or break our success.

I've come to think that if Jordan Sweet doesn't play for the next two years he'll end up having the reputation of Gary Dempsey.

[Mofra]

I've come to think that if Jordan Sweet doesn't play for the next two years he'll end up having the reputation of Gary Dempsey.

That is true of Bulldog players. The longer they don't play, the better they get.

For all we know Lewie Young has as much chance of making it as a ruck as Jordan Sweet. Sweet has the aggression and the tap contests, Lewie may have him covered around the ground. Both are still developing kids.

Given their age we could feasibly take a 1-2 year ruck option and it would suit us (as much as I would prefer a gun in their prime with 5+ years left)

[azabob]

I've said this a few times there is no point chasing Ladhams, Chol, Max Lynch etc as they all seem way too similar to English and Young.

We need a genuine number 1 ruck who shows some physicality at the man and contest.

Players like Mumford, Marshall, Draper, Nank.

GWS seem to have the right mindset they have 3-4 big ruckman on their list all who like the physical side of the game.

Seriously, how good would Bontempelli be with a genuine ruck?

[1eyedog]

I've said this a few times there is no point chasing Ladhams, Chol, Max Lynch etc as they all seem way too similar to English and Young.

We need a genuine number 1 ruck who shows some physicality at the man and contest.

Players like Mumford, Marshall, Draper, Nank.

GWS seem to have the right mindset they have 3-4 big ruckman on their list all who like the physical side of the game.

Seriously, how good would Bontempelli be with a genuine ruck?

Agreed they are the classic prototypes but, unfortunately, they're not Bevo types. How good would our midfield be with a dominant ruck?

[bornadog]

Agreed they are the classic prototypes but, unfortunately, they're not Bevo types. How good would our midfield be with a dominant ruck?

No more hasbeens, we need a genuine good ruckman. How lucky are melbourne. Gawn is the ideal ruck.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Agreed they are the classic prototypes but, unfortunately, they're not Bevo types. How good would our midfield be with a dominant ruck?

Surely even as dog stubborn as Bevo is, he has to be starting to question his own method here? Sure - agile rucks like Dean Cox are great, but how many of them have we seen in the last 20 years?

It's bloody clear we need an intimidating ruck (Ben Hudson you were magnificent). Nic Nat would be great, but even one of GWS' big boys would be fine.

I refuse to believe that Bevo's tune can't be changing. And if it isn't, WTF is Chris Grant, Ameet Baines, Sam Power, every assistant coach, and EVERY midfielder doing when they talk to him!?

If I'm Marcus, I'm having a very real conversation with Bevo at the end of this year. GET. A. RUCK. If we pay overs, we pay overs. Just GET a quality ruck.

[1eyedog]

No more hasbeens, we need a genuine good ruckman. How lucky are melbourne. Gawn is the ideal ruck.

Like who though? Chol, Ladhams, Lynch, Meek et al. are the names floating around.

[bornadog]

Like who though? Chol, Ladhams, Lynch, Meek et al. are the names floating around.

All I am saying is no more 34/35 year olds

[Mofra]

Like who though? Chol, Ladhams, Lynch, Meek et al. are the names floating around.

Kieran Strachan?
25 years old, 204cm, 103kgs, playing very well in the SANFL (probably the best performed SANFL ruck this year), stuck behind Reilly O'Brien at the crows. Wouldn't cost much.

Averaging 16 disposals and 36.5 hit outs in the SANFL

[soupman]

Like who though? Chol, Ladhams, Lynch, Meek et al. are the names floating around.

This is copy pasted from the Stefan Martin thread, but relevant here.

We need at a minimum a ruck who:
-isn't a liability around the ground
-Is able to hold his own in the ruck so that the opposition don't get an advantage from that matchup.

It would be nice to have a matchwinner in there, but considering we have plonked our cash down on matchwinners in our midfield then we just need someone who can do their job.

Couple that with us not having the trade capital to go for one of the 6 genuinely good rucks, means that all we need is someone solid.

A few names that seem ball park to me and should be cheap are:
-Kieran Strachan. Big country lad from Bendigo. Played 3 games. Undertsudy to O'Brien who is locked in as the Crows ruck for basically forever. Seemed to cover the ground well. He is an ex rookie that should cost nothing, maybe the Lipinski pick at most.
-Rhys Stanley. Mobile and "athletic". Not an outstanding ruck but I believe is better at holing his own than our bunch, and I think a bit like Hickey could benefit from a fresh start where he the focus is on what he can do again. Would be free.
-Ben McEvoy. Old so maybe in danger of dying on field like Martin, but solid as hell, good ruckman who can push into defence. Not as atheltic as Stanley but a much better player and good in the air. Should be free.
-Jon Ceglar. Been a solid battler for ages. Can clunk a mark and isn't terrible around the ground although doesn't move very athletically. I think he holds his own in the ruck. Would be free.
-Matthew Flynn. Big boy that played a number of games this year. Can find the ball ok, although I don't think he is overly impressive with it. Decent in the hitout stakes, and is possibly surplus at GWS who have preferred Mumford to him at times and is competing with Briggs and Preuss should he ever return. Would basically be the most expensive of the rucks listed above, but again wouldn't cost much imo. Maybe a future second at most (which is really pick 30+)
-Peter Ladhams. Has been brought up a lot here. Not sure he is actually the hitout ruck we need, projects a bit like English in that he is a ruck forward who's worst feature is probably his hitouts. Better at that than Tim though, good link up player around the ground and can perform forward. Free agent.
-Max Lynch. I've honestly never seen him play but his limited numbers seem decent enough. Unsure what he is like in the other aspects of his game. Can't imagine he'd cost much.

There are a few other names that could be brought up like Chol, Williams, Goldstein, Coleman-Jones, Hayes but I don't know a heap about most of them.

[1eyedog]

This is copy pasted from the Stefan Martin thread, but relevant here.

We need at a minimum a ruck who:
-isn't a liability around the ground
-Is able to hold his own in the ruck so that the opposition don't get an advantage from that matchup.

It would be nice to have a matchwinner in there, but considering we have plonked our cash down on matchwinners in our midfield then we just need someone who can do their job.

Couple that with us not having the trade capital to go for one of the 6 genuinely good rucks, means that all we need is someone solid.

A few names that seem ball park to me and should be cheap are:
-Kieran Strachan. Big country lad from Bendigo. Played 3 games. Undertsudy to O'Brien who is locked in as the Crows ruck for basically forever. Seemed to cover the ground well. He is an ex rookie that should cost nothing, maybe the Lipinski pick at most.
-Rhys Stanley. Mobile and "athletic". Not an outstanding ruck but I believe is better at holing his own than our bunch, and I think a bit like Hickey could benefit from a fresh start where he the focus is on what he can do again. Would be free.
-Ben McEvoy. Old so maybe in danger of dying on field like Martin, but solid as hell, good ruckman who can push into defence. Not as atheltic as Stanley but a much better player and good in the air. Should be free.
-Jon Ceglar. Been a solid battler for ages. Can clunk a mark and isn't terrible around the ground although doesn't move very athletically. I think he holds his own in the ruck. Would be free.
-Matthew Flynn. Big boy that played a number of games this year. Can find the ball ok, although I don't think he is overly impressive with it. Decent in the hitout stakes, and is possibly surplus at GWS who have preferred Mumford to him at times and is competing with Briggs and Preuss should he ever return. Would basically be the most expensive of the rucks listed above, but again wouldn't cost much imo. Maybe a future second at most (which is really pick 30+)
-Peter Ladhams. Has been brought up a lot here. Not sure he is actually the hitout ruck we need, projects a bit like English in that he is a ruck forward who's worst feature is probably his hitouts. Better at that than Tim though, good link up player around the ground and can perform forward. Free agent.
-Max Lynch. I've honestly never seen him play but his limited numbers seem decent enough. Unsure what he is like in the other aspects of his game. Can't imagine he'd cost much.

There are a few other names that could be brought up like Chol, Williams, Goldstein, Coleman-Jones, Hayes but I don't know a heap about most of them.

The only player in there better than Sweet / English is Ceglar. McEvoy is getting on now (33 next year) and Ceglar is late 20s. I'd be ok with Ceglar.

Lynch has shown promise but the sample size is small. Played one really solid game against Gawn but otherwise has struggled to make an impact around the ground. He's basically on-par with Sweet for mine. The rest are of unknown quality to me with the exception of Stanley, he's an upgrade on English but still a battler. I guess he's better than what we have.