The Second ruck Dilema

[azabob]

Anyone change their mind now?

It's interesting, Thillthorp was crows second ruck and dominated the match, he made Darcy look second rate in both facets of the game.

I wonder Adelaide having two stay at home forwards who can mark helped?

Either way our mix was off and against the better teams it needs to change.

Mind you BAD, I was on your side saying we needed to find a solution.

[Bornadog]

It's interesting, Thillthorp was crows second ruck and dominated the match, he made Darcy look second rate in both facets of the game.

I wonder Adelaide having two stay at home forwards who can mark helped?

Either way our mix was off and against the better teams it needs to change.

Mind you BAD, I was on your side saying we needed to find a solution.

I still say Darcy needs to stay in the goal square. Buku is our only other option to ruck, which I don't like because he hasn't got the height, but at least he can give Tim a chop out and Darcy can stay home. At least when Buku isn't rucking he is capable of getting a few goals.

PS: Thilthorpe got his 4 of 6 goals in the disastrous 2nd quarter and only had 2 hitouts to Darcy 5

[Bulldog Joe]

I still say Darcy needs to stay in the goal square. Buku is our only other option to ruck, which I don't like because he hasn't got the height, but at least he can give Tim a chop out and Darcy can stay home. At least when Buku isn't rucking he is capable of getting a few goals.

PS: Thilthorpe got his 4 of 6 goals in the disastrous 2nd quarter and only had 2 hitouts to Darcy 5

Darcy did quite well in the ruck and he is our best option for 2nd ruck. I would like to see go forward rather than bench as he would still require a lot of attention from the opposition.

The difference with Thilthorpe wqs superior delivery.

[JanLorMill]

Anyone change their mind now?

No
First ruck should be doing 90% of the ruck role. For 10% is not a big issue

[The Adelaide Connection]

I found myself breathing a sigh of relief when I saw Walker running off for a spell on Saturday. He was far from their best tall forward, but it felt like it was “easier” when there were only two of them to contend with.

I can only imagine the similar relief opposition fans must feel when Sam Darcy is lining up in the middle. I can imagine opposition backline are absolutely ecstatic.

Taking one of our biggest weapons out of the forward line for such long periods is a disaster. This alone should bump Buku higher up in considerations for the “ins”.

[Hotdog60]

We need to put some meat on Croft so he can ruck and defender/forward.

[GVGjr]

I'm a big supporter of the need to find a genuine 2nd ruck man now that Lobb's future with us is as a defender.

[Bornadog]

I'm a big supporter of the need to find a genuine 2nd ruck man now that Lobb's future with us is as a defender.

What would you do for the rest of this season?

[GVGjr]

What would you do for the rest of this season?

There isn't much that we can do for the balance of the season. It's Darcy or at a pinch Lobb and Khamis.

[Bornadog]

There isn't much that we can do for the balance of the season. It's Darcy or at a pinch Lobb and Khamis.

My Point is Buku comes in and does the 2nd ruck work and we leave Darcy at FF

[GVGjr]

My Point is Buku comes in and does the 2nd ruck work and we leave Darcy at FF

I don't believe we will consider it. I'm not against that notion but Khamis is a mark and kick player who isn't that effective as a ruck man but he does have a decent leap.
Even if we play Khamis, it looks like it's Darcy as the 2nd ruck.

[Danjul]

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.

What is the situation with Smith?

Is he likely to be a ruckman or can he play a different position, such as fullback against big full forwards who stand their ground and mark in the goal square?

[Bornadog]

What is the situation with Smith?

Is he likely to be a ruckman or can he play a different position, such as fullback against big full forwards who stand their ground and mark in the goal square?

He is 19 years old - and still learning his trade.

[jeemak]

If we had another decent tall (or someone the MC trusts) to hold the fort in defence then the simple answer and always will be Lobb, who is an excellent second ruck.

Until we do we do what we can with Darcy.

[Scorlibo]

Anyone change their mind now?

I don't see the issue BAD... We're the highest scoring team in the competition so hard to argue the forward mix isn't working. Darcy has been close to the best player in the league this year when on the park, and playing the second ruck role (which as a role is more casual than part time these days).

From an injury perspective he looks more vulnerable to me in those big marking contests up forward than having a wrestle in the ruck.

You want your best players around the ball and there's no doubt that by getting Sam into the ruck for a few minutes here and there we're getting consistent influence from him.