Tim English and the ruck dilemma

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Absolutely torched Sweet. One of the most dominating displays you'll see.

High on confidence, it's good to see.

[doggies ftw]

Geez that could be the best game he’s ever played, been threatening the last few weeks but finally got some reward around the ground - 3 goals 3 goal assists so 6 direct goals is quite an outrageous return from your ruck.

Played with a point to prove against Sweet today after their last match up, which I’m really glad to see.

Once again it started in the middle for him again, the penny has well and truly dropped I think, for the first time in his career he is playing to his strengths as a ruckman. My biggest gripe was always how much of a sitting duck he was in the ruck, he’d try and wrestle and just get dominated, finally he seems to recognize his strength is leap and reach, even compared to most rucks he can well and truly get higher, so he’s jumping, he’s taking front position at all costs, he’s mobile - making an effort to move and hit contests on the run. This is critical because when he’s on the move in the ruck contest he’s very very hard to beat. His old method of just stand and wrestle was just never going to work for his body type. And you’ll notice he’s also getting a heap of frees now because opposing ruckman recognise his movement and are trying to stop it, so it leads to free kicks for blocking.

Very very happy with his game, of course certain posters come in here and act the hero like they’re not proving the point further… no one has an issue with Tim playing this kind of footy, the issue was with the kind of footy he was playing for 12-15months prior.

4 massive weeks in a row now, absolutely stoked - and I think our midfield is too now they can start on the front foot not with one hand tied behind their back.

[Happy Days]

We don’t have to go back and audit the Sweet > English posts. Jesus has seen all of them and those who made them will have to answer to him at the rapture.

[angelopetraglia]

We don’t have to go back and audit the Sweet > English posts. Jesus has seen all of them and those who made them will have to answer to him at the rapture.

It is a good reminde that you largely can't grow talent. Hard work and grit can only take you so far if you are not blessed with the right genes. It wasn't really a fair fight if Tim brought the right attitdue. Poor Sweet is brining a knife to a gun fight.

[Rusty12]

Geez that could be the best game he’s ever played, been threatening the last few weeks but finally got some reward around the ground - 3 goals 3 goal assists so 6 direct goals is quite an outrageous return from your ruck.

Played with a point to prove against Sweet today after their last match up, which I’m really glad to see.

Once again it started in the middle for him again, the penny has well and truly dropped I think, for the first time in his career he is playing to his strengths as a ruckman. My biggest gripe was always how much of a sitting duck he was in the ruck, he’d try and wrestle and just get dominated, finally he seems to recognize his strength is leap and reach, even compared to most rucks he can well and truly get higher, so he’s jumping, he’s taking front position at all costs, he’s mobile - making an effort to move and hit contests on the run. This is critical because when he’s on the move in the ruck contest he’s very very hard to beat. His old method of just stand and wrestle was just never going to work for his body type. And you’ll notice he’s also getting a heap of frees now because opposing ruckman recognise his movement and are trying to stop it, so it leads to free kicks for blocking.

Very very happy with his game, of course certain posters come in here and act the hero like they’re not proving the point further… no one has an issue with Tim playing this kind of footy, the issue was with the kind of footy he was playing for 12-15months prior.

4 massive weeks in a row now, absolutely stoked - and I think our midfield is too now they can start on the front foot not with one hand tied behind their back.

5000 words, none of them suggesting some fans are a bit hard on Tim? A bit hard to the extent we have a thread made, to basically bag the guy.
Multiple concussions, missed a pre-seasonn with migraines, as a "Fan" would like to think we can cut one of our own some slack for a season.

[mighty_west]

Sweet won the hitouts but we smashed then in clearances, also........

English : 27 Dis, 6 marks, 3 goals and a shitload of score involvements
Sweet : 9 dis, 2 marks, 1 goal and bugger all score involvements

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Sweet won the hitouts but we smashed then in clearances, also........

English : 27 Dis, 6 marks, 3 goals and a shitload of score involvements
Sweet : 9 dis, 2 marks, 1 goal and bugger all score involvements

You know it was a funny thing. I thought Sweet had a good start and about 2/3rds the way in the first quarter Timmy started to run and jump at the ball ups. He was amazing and I personally can’t remember him jumping at everything after the knee to the head that he copped from naughts years ago.

pushing forward he knew he had Sweet touched and that third quarter was the kick start in belief that I think he needed.

well done Timmy. Now let’s back it up week after week.

[Bornadog]

Sweet won the hitouts but we smashed then in clearances, also........

English : 27 Dis, 6 marks, 3 goals and a shitload of score involvements
Sweet : 9 dis, 2 marks, 1 goal and bugger all score involvements

Hitouts but not Hitouts to advantage

[The Underdog]

We don’t have to go back and audit the Sweet > English posts. Jesus has seen all of them and those who made them will have to answer to him at the rapture.

Finally found the way into Heaven. I knew there’d be a back door

[mighty_west]

Hitouts but not Hitouts to advantage

Exactly, which is why i think hitouts on their own are very overrated, you have to look at the big picture and how effective they are, Sweet could have had 70 hitouts but if most end up as a clearance to the oppo then those hitouts mean nothing,, which is why i believe at times and whilst i don't think he is a natural ruckman, he cops more than he should from supporters, the mids have to take some responsibility as to losing clearance numbers, some mids can easily read the oppo ruck and get on the front foot where's us as a mid group can hang back at times, our mix this year has improved greatly imo.

[Bornadog]

What a game

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[Sedat]

Last 4 weeks has been what we need (and should expect) from a 27yo seasoned ruckman who is blessed with so many athletic gifts and skill. I hope he continues at this level because we are a much better team when our ruckman is assertive at stoppage/marking contests and not tossed aside.

[Before I Die]

He was BOG with a record number of score involvements. Let’s not set the bar too high. Not getting bullied and holding marks around the ground seems like the minimum expectation. Being the dominant ruckman on the ground, ie winning his position, should qualify as a good game.

[JanLorMill]

Never seen him jumping over opponents like last week. I hope that continues.

[josie]

Never seen him jumping over opponents like last week. I hope that continues.

He looked so confident as game wore on. You could almost see relief & joy in his face, like a load had been lifted. Let’s hope he can enjoy footy and continue to play to his considerable strengths. He is such a gently spoken chap however I think this game showed he has steely determination too.