The Second ruck Dilema

[Bornadog]

We really don't have a proper solution for the second ruck. I really don't like seeing Darcy in the ruck, although he has the height and coming off a knee injury it is a dangerous move.
We also lose something up forward.

So what other solutions do we have? We have tried Buku in the past, but he has to jump a mile high due to his lack of height, and that is hard to do. Lobb is an ideal second ruck, but again we are paying Peter to deny Paul. If English ended up with a more serious injury last night, it would have been interesting.
I think the club needs to sort this out?

[Happy Days]

I don’t think this an issue at all?

Watch how Darcy rucks - he just stands there with no run up and wins taps based on being too damn tall. I don’t even think he jumps most of the time.

The lack of craft is probably making Simon Madden spin in his grave but it’s highly effective and the risk of injury actually seems lower than when he’s jumping for marks while running at top speed.

Having two guys be that tall, that skilful and that good in the ruck is actually a good thing. We have bigger problems. For instance did you see Nick Coffield try to kick it 15m to the back pocket.

[Bulldog Joe]

I am very comfortable with Darcy in the ruck.

I don't think it is any more of an injury risk for him than the buffeting he gets as a forward.

It also gets him into the game if things aren't working for some reason.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Yep it's an interesting point.
We have a plethora of 'tall timber' and as you point out Darcy and Lobb are elite in their positions.
Tim's been very durable throughout his career and whilst there is every chance he could go down (and played sore last night), I think Bevo's just happy to share the load amongst Darce, Buku and Naughts.
Hopefully Smith will continue his upward trajectory.

[hujsh]

Bevo was asked about this when he came back and he said something along the lines of 'with the rules as they are and the way rucks approach the contest, you're more likely to bang up your knee playing forward than in the ruck, so it's not a concern for us.

[GVGjr]

Talk of us needing to identify a genuine 2nd ruck for the season especially given Tim's concussion history was pretty much shut down with everyone thinking we had it covered.
Smith is a long way off being a viable option as well.
I agree with BADs OP, we do need to find a versatile back up, it would be money well spent.

[Garbs_7]

We really don't have a proper solution for the second ruck. I really don't like seeing Darcy in the ruck, although he has the height and coming off a knee injury it is a dangerous move.
We also lose something up forward.

So what other solutions do we have? We have tried Buku in the past, but he has to jump a mile high due to his lack of height, and that is hard to do. Lobb is an ideal second ruck, but again we are paying Peter to deny Paul. If English ended up with a more serious injury last night, it would have been interesting.
I think the club needs to sort this out?

I never understand people saying it's a dangerous move. He is much more likely injuring a knee or ankle leaping and landing in the forward line especially while wrestling two defenders or having people try and take out his landing space, as we already saw this year. He is so valuable in the forward line yes, but he's also fantastic up the ground and in ruck contests helping to win valuable clearances and build scoring chains in the middle. He would have to be the best 2nd ruck in the league which gives us a decent advantage for 6-8 minutes a quarter while the #1 ruck rests.

IF / When Jamarra returns, Darcy up the ground kicking to Naughty, JUH and West will be very dangerous.

[jazzadogs]

Darcy is top 3 second rucks in the comp, with Thilthorpe and Jackson (who is really more of a first ruck). There's no second ruck in the comp that I would be worried about Darcy coming up against.

Lobb is a good ruck but too important structurally.
Buku and Naughton are average.

If we traded in and wanted to play a genuine second ruck, alongside Naughton and Darcy, where do they fit in the 23?

[Palmybulldogs]

I can’t remember when but Bevo was asked this question a few weeks back and talked about how it’s actually less of an injury worry playing ruck compared to key forward as it’s mostly just a wrestle rather than flying into heaps of bodies trying to contested mark.

getting Darcy into the ruck is also a great way to keep him involved in the game and having an impact

[Bornadog]

Talk of us needing to identify a genuine 2nd ruck for the season especially given Tim's concussion history was pretty much shut down with everyone thinking we had it covered.
Smith is a long way off being a viable option as well.
I agree with BADs OP, we do need to find a versatile back up, it would be money well spent.

If Jamarra was playing, I wouldn't worry too much, but when Darcy has his turn in the ruck, we don't look as potent up forward. Although Naughton played well last night, he was well covered with the Swans talls all going to him when Darcy was up the ground. Maybe Buku should be playing forward instead of being a sub.

[azabob]

BAD always a step ahead… Playing 3D Chess. Before the English detractors could get a thread going BAD throws the spotlight on our second ruck.

In all seriousness though, against teams with legit intercept defenders we do need a plan b. I imagine that’s where Khamis plays a full game and is our 2nd ruck.

[GVGjr]

If Jamarra was playing, I wouldn't worry too much, but when Darcy has his turn in the ruck, we don't look as potent up forward. Although Naughton played well last night, he was well covered with the Swans talls all going to him when Darcy was up the ground. Maybe Buku should be playing forward instead of being a sub.

So if we play Khamis as the 3rd tall forward we are okay?

[Bornadog]

So if we play Khamis as the 3rd tall forward we are okay?

If we did, I think at this stage he should take the second ruck. I like Darcy to be in the forward line as he is in good form

[GVGjr]

If we did, I think at this stage he should take the second ruck. I like Darcy to be in the forward line as he is in good form

Bevo's said a couple of times they like to get Darcy involved early in the game.
I'd prefer to use Khamis there a bit more and leave Darcy closer to the goal.

[Bornadog]

We really don't have a proper solution for the second ruck. I really don't like seeing Darcy in the ruck, although he has the height and coming off a knee injury it is a dangerous move.
We also lose something up forward.

So what other solutions do we have? We have tried Buku in the past, but he has to jump a mile high due to his lack of height, and that is hard to do. Lobb is an ideal second ruck, but again we are paying Peter to deny Paul. If English ended up with a more serious injury last night, it would have been interesting.
I think the club needs to sort this out?

Anyone change their mind now?