Opinion New rules in the ruck, Martin in? Jamar Gawn?

[Bluelegs]

As many of you would know, the AFL has established a new rule regarding ruck contests, that being that players may not make contact in a ruck contest until the ball has left the umpires hands, this would allow for maybe a second of contact before the ball is within the reach of a tap out. Unfortunately for players such as Jamar this will severely handicap his game as his ruckwork technique has stemmed from using his body and strength to push opponents out of the way and win tap outs. What this rule will also do is give players with height advantage or a great leap a massive leg-up in ruck contests. I believe that next year we'll be seeing the likes of Sandilands and Naitanui dominate with the new rule in place.

Concerning Melbourne though, we have four ruckman on our list, Jamar Spencer, Martin and Gawn. Jamar and Spencer are both players who use their bodies to win contests, where as Martin and Gawn use their height and leap to win ruck battles. Before hearing of this rule I was quite happy to trade Martin for the right price, I'm a big fan but I didn't think we'd be too badly off without him. Now I'm changing my tune, his natural leap would be a massive asset in the future if this rule sticks and unfortunately the likes of Jamar and Spencer may find themselves coming off second best because of it. I could certainly see Spencer being phased back out next year when Gawn and Martin are healthy and even Jamar may need to find a new position if the new rule effects his ruckwork that much.

 

[festa1234]

the AFL must really love nik nat, they handed him an all australian jumper when he didnt deserve it now they have created a rule that suits him to a tee he will kill it next year

 

[Bluelegs]

Bums in seats and so forth. Unfortunately the AFL has a very specific view of how the game should be played and continues to try to subvert clubs and coaches in the way they approach the tactics of the game. They really just want the game to go back to being open and free-flowing (maybe Bailey was onto something. ) Unfortunately for the AFL they want to have their cake and eat it too as they want to slow the game down at the same time.

 

[Tulip]

Bums in seats and so forth. Unfortunately the AFL has a very specific view of how the game should be played and continues to try to subvert clubs and coaches in the way they approach the tactics of the game. They really just want the game to go back to being open and free-flowing (maybe Bailey was onto something. ) Unfortunately for the AFL they want to have their cake and eat it too as they want to slow the game down at the same time.

They want the game to be like it was 50 years ago, but they're trying to engineer it so clubs have to play in a certain way. What Angry Anderson and KB don't realise is that clubs played that way because they weren't restricted by ridiculous laws. Surely this regime will end in tears?

Ruckmen used to jump at the ball rather than wrestle, but they brought a centre circle in. Now, they hate the wrestling, so they're pretty much leaving the ruckwork upto the biggest leapers.

 

[LeverPuller]

the AFL must really love nik nat, they handed him an all australian jumper when he didnt deserve it now they have created a rule that suits him to a tee he will kill it next year

This was my first thought.

Only one current ruck is suited to this rule that I can think of, and that's NicNat.
Seriously, name me another #1 ruck who suits; every other ruck goes body-on-body in the contest.

 

[LouisCK]

They made the circle smaller, and it killed Jeff White's effectiveness (as he was the biggest leaping ruckmen in the comp). Now they're banning the wrestling aspect, making it favourable to leapers again (because a 'big club' has a high leaping ruckman, possibly).

This competition is run by sadists.

 

[Bluelegs]

This was my first thought.

Only one current ruck is suited to this rule that I can think of, and that's NicNat.
Seriously, name me another #1 ruck who suits; every other ruck goes body-on-body in the contest.

Sandilands sheer height factor will help exponentially, and in turn Gawn.

 

[Captain Jack]

Gee these rule changes are bloody frustrating. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE FFS.

Anyway... Agree that this rule suits NN incredibly well. The extra-tall guys too of course. That said, I'm sure the big bulky types will find a way to make it work - they can make contact once the ball is thrown up.

 

[Bluelegs]

Gee these rule changes are bloody frustrating. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE FFS.

Anyway... Agree that this rule suits NN incredibly well. The extra-tall guys too of course. That said, I'm sure the big bulky types will find a way to make it work - they can make contact once the ball is thrown up.

Like I said though there will be very little time to engage in a physical contest in the ruck. Rather than the slower wrestle it will be a quick push or shove without of course pushing too hard as to cause a free against yourself.

Reckon we could almost put Howe into the ruck next year.

 

[Tulip]

Jamar is good enough to larn, but like White, father time will catch up.

I'd suggest, bare with me, we plop him in the goal square and Martin in the ruck

 

[Dory_77]

Like I said though there will be very little time to engage in a physical contest in the ruck. Rather than the slower wrestle it will be a quick push or shove without of course pushing too hard as to cause a free against yourself.

Reckon we could almost put Howe into the ruck next year.

Sylvia has ruck experience, could be a smokey. Maybe Bailey's 'experimentation' was pre-empting this rule change?
Did think that the rule would suit Martin well (if he can get fit and get games).

 

[Bluelegs]

Sylvia has ruck experience, could be a smokey. Maybe Bailey's 'experimentation' was pre-empting this rule change?
Did think that the rule would suit Martin well (if he can get fit and get games).

Come to think of it if Bailey saw this rule coming he would have gotten Nic Nat.

 

[Meds]

"We want them separated. It was first raised by the umpiring department and the umpires some time ago that ruck work had become a little sloppy and messy because before the umpire had the ball in his hands the ruckmen would be grappling and grabbing hold of each other, which is just unsightly," he said.

Wait... Let me get this straight. The AFL have changed a rule because Giesch thinks ruck man vying for position before a bounce is "unsightly"??? That is ridiculous. Jake Spencer's kicking action is unsightly. Tex Walker's mullet is unsightly. Eddie Betts's basketball shorts are unsightly. Are we going to bring in rules to outlaw all these?

Rucking has always been about using your body to get in the right position and then having the skill to execute a tap to your teammates advantage. This rule is woeful.

In response to the question, I still think Jamar is a better option in the ruck. He can still put his body in between the other ruck an and the ball to protect the drop zone, it's just gonna look a bit more like a girl playing netball...

 

[SPC 98]

Jamar is good enough to larn, but like White, father time will catch up.

I'd suggest, bare with me, we plop him in the goal square and Martin in the ruck

I couldn't agree more. White was killed with the centre circle and Jamar will also struggle. I would think Martin and Gawn will be the real winners out of this. Jamar, may need to re-invent himself or look at a 3rd tall forward option.

Shocking rule, by a governing body who love to over officiate and confuse the hell out of those watching..

 

[Supermercado]

More sleazy changes by the AFL.

 

[CTHORANGE]

In response to the question, I still think Jamar is a better option in the ruck. He can still put his body in between the other ruck an and the ball to protect the drop zone, it's just gonna look a bit more like a girl playing netball...

This, I don't mind a bit of netball, but I don't want to see 100kg plus men holding their positions by putting their rear ends into people, argh, talk about unsightly!

 

[LouisCK]

Just wait til the first time this is brought in and someone tunnels Natanui at full pace and he breaks his back. Watch the AFL instantly bring back a small centre circle or ban players runing at eachother. FFS that was the reason they changed it in the first place, ruckmen were doing their knees every second week from impacts and nasty falls.

 

[melbournemartin]

They want the game to be like it was 50 years ago, but they're trying to engineer it so clubs have to play in a certain way. What Angry Anderson and KB don't realise is that clubs played that way because they weren't restricted by ridiculous laws. Surely this regime will end in tears?

Ruckmen used to jump at the ball rather than wrestle, but they brought a centre circle in. Now, they hate the wrestling, so they're pretty much leaving the ruckwork upto the biggest leapers.

When you think about it, is that really such a bad thing? The brute ruckman like Jamar may not be the way forward and skinnier, more athletic ruckmen will be.

Also it's not as if you can't wrestle full stop, just not until the umpire bounces the ball.

 

[Captain Jack]

When you think about it, is that really such a bad thing? The brute ruckman like Jamar may not be the way forward and skinnier, more athletic ruckmen will be.

Also it's not as if you can't wrestle full stop, just not until the umpire bounces the ball.

Maybe not, but we object to the idea of the AFL Commission claiming to know what's best for the game, and wanting to continually control the direction of its development and evolution by changing rules every year. Who are they to say that lighter, more athletic ruckmen are the way forward? Rubbish.

FFS, it's already the most over-regulated sport in the world, why can't they just leave it alone?

 

[blured]

Maybe not, but we object to the idea of the AFL Commission claiming to know what's best for the game, and wanting to continually control the direction of its development and evolution by changing rules every year. Who are they to say that lighter, more athletic ruckmen are the way forward? Rubbish.

FFS, it's already the most over-regulated sport in the world, why can't they just leave it alone?

totally agree CJ i cant understand why they continually change the rules each year its becoming farcical

 

[DemonLord]

If I'm reading it right it gets worse. They are going to be throwing the ball up around the ground instead of balling it up. This will mean that the ball will already be sky bound from when it leaves the umpires hand giving less time for a body contact ruckman to engage his opponent.

DL

 

[Bluelegs]

If I'm reading it right it gets worse. They are going to be throwing the ball up around the ground instead of balling it up. This will mean that the ball will already be sky bound from when it leaves the umpires hand giving less time for a body contact ruckman to engage his opponent.

DL

That's what I'm saying, they give you less than a second of contact before the breakaway happens and the ruckmen go for the tap, rather than the average five second wrestle. Naitanui will dominate because of this. There's a reason all his highlights are centre clearances, there aren't players to strong arm him out of the contest, he just gets his free leap at the ball. This is now going to be happening over the entire ground. Like I've said though, Martin and Gawn will also benefit from this, Martin has a great leap and Gawn's sheer size will dominate these tap-outs.

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

For those saying we'll plonk Jamar in the forward line are forgetting that he is too scared to kick
the football anymore. He'd mark a ball on the goal line and handball it.

Re-signing Jamar when we did was already a stupid move, this just makes things worse.

Dawes and Jamar in the one forward line would be pure comedy, just a big spud fest.

 

[Meds]

If I'm reading it right it gets worse. They are going to be throwing the ball up around the ground instead of balling it up. This will mean that the ball will already be sky bound from when it leaves the umpires hand giving less time for a body contact ruckman to engage his opponent.

DL

The umpires can throw the ball higher than they can bounce it. I think the time differential will be negligible at best.

 

[Dez!]

Won't change much, just be within an arms reach before the ball is thrown up.

Still an attempt to pander to Naitanui.