Why are we being killed in the middle?

[Dry Rot]

Warrnambulldog posted an excellent question in the Bombers game day thread

Do not know how we get killed out of the middle so often with the names we have in there.

This is now been happening for years.

Why?

[JanLorMill]

Started with our ruck was being as soft as butter.

[westdog54]

We're too reliant on two men. If neither get off the leash we're stuffed.

As simplistic as it sounds, we've got no plan b is the opposition can contain Bont and Libba.

After the effort that went into last week's match it was disheartening beyond belief to see our midfield get its colours lowered by this mob.

[jDogs]

Our mids are at an automatic disadvantage, having to mostly rely on what is going on with the opposition ruck. It feels like we rely so heavily on Libba and Bont because if they aren't in there, the odds are only greater that we get torched.
It really sucks hearing the likes of Chris Scott talk about the benefits of running way more guys through there compared to us, yet coming out on top or neutral. We are running our champs into the ground.

[FrediKanoute]

Begs the question why we have rotated Macrae out of the middle.

Bit like the last 4 years of JJ......yet when he gets back to his natural position we are a better side for it

[kruder]

I'm not sure we could say that Lade has fixed any of the issues from the 2021 GF since he come in, we continually let sides out the front of the stoppage.

[JanLorMill]

Begs the question why we have rotated Macrae out of the middle.

Bit like the last 4 years of JJ......yet when he gets back to his natural position we are a better side for it

We had the same issues with Macrae in the middle. We tried something different but it didn’t fix the problem.

[westdog54]

Begs the question why we have rotated Macrae out of the middle.

Bit like the last 4 years of JJ......yet when he gets back to his natural position we are a better side for it

As much as he's not particularly damaging, there's a level of composure in his kicking that so many others lack.

[angelopetraglia]

So the issue isn't Macrae. It was the same when we had Dunkley in there too. Who is another contested beast bull. It doesn't really appear to matter who is in the middle. We get beaten often too easy out of the midddle.

Maybe it is the Ruckman?

[Happy Days]

As much as he's not particularly damaging, there's a level of composure in his kicking that so many others lack.

He was one of few positives tonight. He actually reminds me a bit of Caleb when he doesn’t suck at the moment.

[angelopetraglia]

As much as he's not particularly damaging, there's a level of composure in his kicking that so many others lack.

The kick to the space in front of Naughton in the fist quarter was exquisite.

[EasternWest]

So the issue isn't Macrae. It was the same when we had Dunkley in there too. Who is another contested beast bull. It doesn't really appear to matter who is in the middle. We get beaten often too easy out of the midddle.

Maybe it is the Ruckman?

That's All Australian ruckman Tim English you're talking about. He's an All Australian don't you know.

[Grantysghost]

That's All Australian ruckman Tim English you're talking about. He's an All Australian don't you know.

I've turned on English. That was insipid.

Bradburied that AA.

By the way, what does All Australian even mean? Like literally.

[Happy Days]

If English was 192cm he might be the best player in the AFL. I’ve broken my brain over him too many times.

[MrMahatma]

If we want to dominate stoppages and centre clearance, we should play a ruckman.

Prior to doing that, we should (or more accurately would need to) recruit a ruckman