Mike Pyke vs Mark Seaby

[indieswan96]

Well we all know that we will face this dillema next year and I for one am stumped at who we should pick for the 1st round next year. We know Pyke can play as FB and Seaby is adept in the forward but should all our main options be there (touchwood) who do we start as the 2nd ruck to the Mummy?

I would give it to Seaby at first but if he doesn't perfom I would not hesitate to put the Canadian in. I wonder how Horse sees it?

Your thoughts?

 

[CAS79]

Well we all know that we will face this dillema next year and I for one am stumped at who we should pick for the 1st round next year. We know Pyke can play as FB and Seaby is adept in the forward but should all our main options be there (touchwood) who do we start as the 2nd ruck to the Mummy?

I would give it to Seaby at first but if he doesn't perfom I would not hesitate to put the Canadian in. I wonder how Horse sees it?

Your thoughts?

There is absolutely no way Pyke can play Full Back.

for all his improvement as a second ruck and taken some strong grabs he still misreads some play - See Melbourne Game.

Pykes best option if not rucking is resting up forward as he will at least draw a man and make a contest.

Seaby is a natural at reading the play coming into the forward line and can float down there at the right moment.

A fit Seaby is still my first choice in this debate and with a level of comfort.

All is not lost for Pyke though as I can see him as a utility forward/ruck if Bradshaw's not playing as well.

 

[Stevie Ray Swan]

Must admit I havent seen enough of Seaby to give an informed opinion, but Mike Pyke has been real impressive this year and just keeps getting better. He has done enough to keep is spot IMO, and Seaby will have to earn it back. A good problem to have I guess.

Is there room for 3 ruckman? I once canvassed Pyke playing forward, as mentioned above, how much merit is there in that move?

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

currie

 

[Stevie Ray Swan]

currie

I believe the thread was Seaby or Pyke

 

[TheGoatBaron]

I reckon Mike Pyke would/should get 1st dibs for back up ruckman next year over Mark Seaby. Seaby would have to prove his fitness to get a spot in the best 22. I am not sure if Pike can play any other position, other than in the ruck.

 

[BarneyBent]

Seaby. Absolutely no question. I am a huge fan of Pyke, I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, and I certainly think that at the rate he's improving, he'll turn into a very solid player indeed. But as it stands, he is an inexperienced ruckman who struggles to influence games beyond the taps, and wouldn't get a game in many, if not most, teams in the AFL. He's certainly serviceable, but Seaby is a Premiership ruckman who was in fantastic form before he injured his ankle.

Assuming Seaby is fine for next year (foot and ankle injuries can be very tricky in that regard), he comes straight in. Does Pyke make way? Well, that depends. I'd like to see him do some extra work on leading and reading the play, with a view either to playing forward or back. We saw the role White played against Hawthorn and how well it brought other players into the game; well, I think White would be wasted in that role next year. Pyke could play that role just as well, and his hands are surprisingly good, so I could see him plucking a few grabs.

 

[Swans120]

If Pyke and Seaby are both fully fit coming into the NAB Cup next year, i would back Seaby to take the 2nd ruck spot. He's played in a premiership, played 100 games of AFL footy and showed in his first month at the club that he worked well in our system (his game vs the Crows was a top shelf ruckman's performance).

Seaby has the experience and nous over Pyke quite safely. I'm not putting down Pykey here at all, but i think some are underrating Seaby here. He's a very solid ruckman.

 

[RTTF]

I love the Pyke, but Seaby in a heartbeat

currie

Is that with your head or your heart?

 

[Dangas]

A fit Seaby over Pyke, only reason that Seabs has more knowledge/experience

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

I love the Pyke, but Seaby in a heartbeat
Is that with your head or your heart?

 

[AG]

Seaby without doubt. Before he did his ankle we were saying he is our no.1 ruck because he was playing so well. BSA summed it up well.

 

[Daggersworth]

Seaby for sure, which is a shame for Mike because he's earned his chance to play senior footy.

Maybe they can teach him how to play forward or defence... if they can find another role for him, I'd love Pykey to stay in the team.

 

[Swans120]

The fact is he isn't in our best 22 but he has easily drawn away from Currie as our no.3 ruckman and is closing the gap between him and Seaby as who would be considered our 2nd ruck. Next year we will have 3 established ruckmen who are all very capable of playing 1st ruck at AFL level (they've all done it this year).

Helping to improve our club's depth and as has been said, if he can learn more properly how to play up forward or down back it would be very handy. He provides a contest up forward always and has some solid hands at best.

 

[BIGBEZ]

Seabs has the runs on the board as a footballer and was travelling pretty good with Mumford early on, in fact there was argument if Seaby or Mumford would be number 1 so lets not forget that.
Its only Pykes first year and if his development continues at this rate, well who knows. We have all seen what Seaby is capable of and can make a fair assessment where hes at and how much improvement, if any, he has left in him. Pyke is improving rapidly and its hard to say how far he can go with it, but hes not exactly a kid the years can go quick, its a hard call at the moment. Training and pre season will decide who will be one, two and three, let them slog it out.

 

[swans4eva]

Seaby cops a lot from swans supporters... he's no dud.

 

[YorshireSwan]

Seaby easily, he was in career best form before he got injured probably ahead of Mumford I think we were a much better team when Seaby was in not only for his ruck work but ability to rest down forward and create a real forward option

 

[Stevie Ray Swan]

whilst he has the experience and is a premiership player from 2006, surely thats all history now, and he must earn his spot again. I mean, if he's that good, it wont be a problem.

 

[Swans120]

He has to earn his spot of course, but that stuff does matter. It is all experience and that is the big advantage he has over Pyke.

I'm just saying when they are both at full fitness i would pick Seaby ahead of Pyke to play in our best 22 pretty confidently.

For Pyke to be our 3rd string ruckman, however, is a great sign. That gives us very solid depth in our ruck stocks.

 

[Caj]

Pykes best game = Seaby's worst

Not bagging Pyke as his development has been phenomenal, but Seaby is far more accomplished.

Pyke gets leeway from fans due to the fact that he is a newbie to the game.

Having said that I'm starting to feel comfortable with Pyke in the role as a 2nd ruckman, whereas this time last year I felt we were playing 1 short when he was on the field

 

[TheMase]

In time I reckon Seaby will be better taking centre ruck and up forward. Mumford and Pyke will be better around the ground contests and boundary throw ins.

If one of Pyke and Mumford can turn into a viable forward option (or perhaps defensive) then all three may be able to play.

At this stage though, Seaby is still streets ahead of Pyke if they are competing for the same position.

 

[swansfan51]

As much as it pains me to admit it, Seaby is ahead of Pyke at the moment. Having said that, Pyke does have the runs on the board, lets not forget Seaby has only played 6 games for the club. I do think he will dislodge Pyke, but he should have to do it via an excellent off-season and strong NAB performances, not just come in by default. I think Pyke has definitely earned that much.

Mumford's major weakness as a ruckman is he doesn't have the scoreboard impact of someone like Hille, Cox, Kreuzer, Sandilands, Ryder. He isn't really able to go forward and kick goals as a big marking target. Seaby may not be the world's best tap ruckman, but he can provide an extra forward target and has delivered goals, particularly in 2007. I hope Pyke will be able to play that same role later, and if he increases his hurt factor and work around the ground, I think he has the potential to make the #2 ruck spot his own.

 

[disgruntled goat]

Seaby, easily. He's an established ruckman; Pyke's still learning.

Seaby's form at the start of the season, as our No 1 ruck, was outstanding, better than anything he did at the Weagles.

Back and fit, he resumes the tandem job with Mumford, who, it must be said, has been sensational since taking the No 1 spot.

Pyke has been a good replacement.

 

[Hyphenator]

Seaby because its easier to tell him apart from mumford

 

[TRAWP]

Seaby will be No.1 Ruckman next year, Seaby/Mumford ruck combo will be devastating.

Use them as Resting Forward ruckman and we will have big smiles.

Pyke is good but he isn't Seaby, though he is developing great this year. Make him attempt to prove himself next year in the 2nds and then push for his spot. They'll rest Seaby a few times next year to get life out of him and then Pyke will strike. This is how Collifags have been sucsessful... 2nd's side with strength to be able to replace players.