Better balance with one ruckman.

[TradeDraft]

1 good quarter is not enough though. And the point is not that Grundy wasn't easily beaten. The point is that Gawn is a fairly mediocre player who Grundy should have easily beaten, and he didn't.

Well then we might as well Drop Grundy and Play White in the Ruck then vs Mumford

 

[jmac70]

I think Witts will come back in this week. Grundy cannot ruck one out against one of the best rucks in the comp. We will need a lot more run from players like Seedman and Varcoe.

 

[mike123]

I think we're underrating Gawn a bit here.

 

[TradeDraft]

I think we're underrating Gawn a bit here.

I did not. Gawn is a Capable AFL Ruckman but nothing Special.

Grundy Beat Gawn around the Ground.

Gawn is 3-4 Years Older then Grundy

 

[Smokeyr67]

It's a bit of a conundrum - both players need game time to improve, both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and both are young so they need to be rested. Having both in the side does slow us down significantly, so against the quicker sides we can't afford to have both in the team. All that aside, having two up and coming ruckmen fighting for a spot is a fantastic (if difficult) situation for the club!

If I was selecting the side, I'd be looking at playing one ruck in the AFL as the default selection, rotating Grundy and Witts through the role for the rest of the year. When they're not playing in the 1's then they play about 3/4's in the VFL. Hopefully by the end of this year both will have developed to the point that they can hold their own against all comers, and next year selection would primarily be on form/structure.

 

[TradeDraft]

It's a bit of a conundrum - both players need game time to improve, both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and both are young so they need to be rested. Having both in the side does slow us down significantly, so against the quicker sides we can't afford to have both in the team. All that aside, having two up and coming ruckmen fighting for a spot is a fantastic (if difficult) situation for the club!

If I was selecting the side, I'd be looking at playing one ruck in the AFL as the default selection, rotating Grundy and Witts through the role for the rest of the year. When they're not playing in the 1's then they play about 3/4's in the VFL. Hopefully by the end of this year both will have developed to the point that they can hold their own against all comers, and next year selection would primarily be on form/structure.

You could play Both and 1 can be a Ruckman for a Half and the Other a Forward and Maybe Swap at Halftime

 

[Smokeyr67]

You could play Both and 1 can be a Ruckman for a Half and the Other a Forward and Maybe Swap at Halftime

My only problem with that Dave is that neither are great in the forward line - that's something they both need to work on.

 

[TradeDraft]

My only problem with that Dave is that neither are great in the forward line - that's something they both need to work on.

and That is why I said they need to spend time up Forward so they can work on playing better up Forward

 

[Maggie5]

Grundy was not easily Beaten in the Ruck. When we where Smashed in the 2nd Qtr. Our On-Ballers where just as much to Blame.

You must of watched a Different Last Qtr then I saw yesterday.

Witts be back next week

A game of football is over 4 quarters, not just one.

I don't know if we have a ruck coach, but Grundy needs to learn how to use his body better at centre bounces, he looks more at his opponent than at the ball. His taps don't have much force behind them. In the last quarter he must have been spoken to as he positioned himself better.

He is much better at toss in when he has a run at the ball.

I have no doubt he will be a very good ruckman as he has real potential, but talking him up at this stage is not something I can agree with, he has a lot to learn. Another thing I think that he needs to improve is around the ground he needs to be in a position to at least make a contest, spoil or mark and I don't think he does enough in this area.

 

[DoubleDraw7710]

If one ruckman it should be Witts. He has much better disposal and kicks more goals. Grundy clangers (5) were awful yesterday.

 

[TradeDraft]

A game of football is over 4 quarters, not just one.

I don't know if we have a ruck coach, but Grundy needs to learn how to use his body better at centre bounces, he looks more at his opponent than at the ball. His taps don't have much force behind them. In the last quarter he must have been spoken to as he positioned himself better.

He is much better at toss in when he has a run at the ball.

I have no doubt he will be a very good ruckman as he has real potential, but talking him up at this stage is not something I can agree with, he has a lot to learn. Another thing I think that he needs to improve is around the ground he needs to be in a position to at least make a contest, spoil or mark and I don't think he does enough in this area.

We don’t have a Ruck Coach because Eddie being a Cheap Skate with the Footy Department to make a Point to the AFL. Tried to get Peter Moore but the Bloody AFL said his Salary would be counted towards our Salary Cap

Agree, He is better around the Ground Ruck Contests then Centre Bounces.

So Maggie5 You would drop him back to the VFL for a year or 2 While he Learns at let the Gun Witts ruck by himself as he is that bloody good

 

[Adnan]

I reckon its fair enough to go with both Grundy and Witts as long as the guy whos not doing the tapwork is help out either as a forward or even a defensive player. If we can get both the rucks to work on their forward games then it would be ideal for us as we could replace Jesse White.

 

[TradeDraft]

If one ruckman it should be Witts. He has much better disposal and kicks more goals. Grundy clangers (5) were awful yesterday.

Grundy was not the only 1 who Stuffed up. White had 4 Clangers, So did Broomhead and De Goey. Cloke and Swan had 3 Clangers. Do they get Mentioned

His Kicking was good. In the last qtr he actually kicked to a Leading Player(Elliot?) and not just bombed it any where like his Teammates where doing

 

[Kirby]

Dave, Grundy was terrible early and made some howling errors, especially by hand.

He was much better later and played a very good last quarter.

You don't need to be so defensive about him. We all know he still has much to learn (as does Witts).

 

[Collingwood pro]

I disagree what Witts does other than helping in the ruck is free up Jesse and Cloke. As Jess doesn't need to play ruckman and is better suited to the full forward position, it also means that Cloke is required more in the full forward position to give structure and in essence a bail out option, which is more how we played 2012-2014. Three tall structure will not always be the best option but it preferable to give us better structure, a chop out for Grundy and White.

 

[TradeDraft]

Dave, Grundy was terrible early and made some howling errors, especially by hand.

He was much better later and played a very good last quarter.

You don't need to be so defensive about him. We all know he still has much to learn (as does Witts).

I just thought the Bashing of Grundy was bit over the top.

What you said is Correct. But it was not just Brody. The Whole Side Sucked for just about the whole 2nd Qtr

 

[DoubleDraw7710]

Grundy was not the only 1 who Stuffed up. White had 4 Clangers, So did Broomhead and De Goey. Cloke and Swan had 3 Clangers. Do they get Mentioned

His Kicking was good. In the last qtr he actually kicked to a Leading Player(Elliot?) and not just bombed it any where like his Teammates where doing

Interesting reply but 1 kick is not going to change my mind. I like the 3 tall forward line and am hoping Grundy can improve his forward work so we can play both. I'm anticipating you will ask do I want to trade Grundy so no I don't.

 

[Old Spice]

When Reid comes into the frame we're really going to have a conundrum on our hands, presuming he plays forward. If we hold down the backline KP with Brown and Frost then we really need to understand where the rucks stand.

Either we play White as the 3rd (my preferred option) or play two rucks. Reid is going to put enormous heat on White/our second ruck or Brown. You can't carry them all.

 

[TradeDraft]

When Reid comes into the frame we're really going to have a conundrum on our hands, presuming he plays forward. If we hold down the backline KP with Brown and Frost then we really need to understand where the rucks stand.

Either we play White as the 3rd (my preferred option) or play two rucks. Reid is going to put enormous heat on White/our second ruck or Brown. You can't carry them all.

Reid is playing as a Backman this year

 

[Old Spice]

Reid is playing as a Backman this year

For me that squeezes out Brown. But if Brown can hold down his spot with Frost then White or the second ruck comes under the blowtorch. Be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[TradeDraft]

For me that squeezes out Brown. But if Brown can hold down his spot with Frost then White or the second ruck comes under the blowtorch. Be interesting to see how it goes.

Reid could play the Oxley Role but OX is playing well at that position at the moment.

As he can Intercept Marks and Start Rebounds

 

[Maggie5]

We don’t have a Ruck Coach because Eddie being a Cheap Skate with the Footy Department to make a Point to the AFL. Tried to get Peter Moore but the Bloody AFL said his Salary would be counted towards our Salary Cap

Agree, He is better around the Ground Ruck Contests then Centre Bounces.

So Maggie5 You would drop him back to the VFL for a year or 2 While he Learns at let the Gun Witts ruck by himself as he is that bloody good

That last sentence is just silly, no I would not do that nor have I even suggested it.

I just tend to take a more balanced view on players and really study the game, hence my support of players like Blair, Macaffer etc.

However I am also able to see areas where they can improve and don't put them on a pedestal, where they can do no wrong.

For example, I fear what role Macaffer will play if he comes back as at the moment I do not see a position for him. He is one of my favourite players.

 

[babyJonBourgois]

I'm really glad they're is opting to play both young rucks as they develop into the most dominant combo in the league, surprised some supporters are suggesting otherwise.

 

[Douglass]

According to Maxy on "Monday's with Maxy", it would be too wearing on a young body to be playing only one ruck. The preferred option currently being Witts and Grundy to share the load.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Dunno about this, White had his worst game for the year because of it. We need another tall.

This