Offical "what do we do with our rucks" thread

[Weiterbot23]

Apparently the last few weeks Warnock and Jacobs have been killing it in the ants! We can all see the promise in Hamma, he could potenially be the best of the lot. Kreuzer also is a number 1 pick who has it all; the tank, the courage, the skills, the mitts. All four are 22 or under....What the F*** do we do with them?

Do we keep all of them, push Kreuzer forward and use one as a back up?
(my mail is 206 is going under the knife again this week, nothing major, but his injuries could become a worry)

Do we trade one to fill a greater need? If so, who?

Do we keep all of them for next season and showcase Hamma/Jacobs to bump up their market price. (Jacobs is an SA boy and port need a ruck, Hamma is a GC boy....and they need an entire list)

 

[jonoman89]

I think next year we need to try playing Kreuzer at CHF and Warnock/Hampson rucking.

I don't think Jacobs will be here much longer, which is unfortunate because i rate him. i'd elevate him and he'd no doubt get a few games due to injury. Trade him for the right price at the end of 2010. I don't think he'd be cut at us - we developed and gave him a chance to play AFL.

 

[Faz 2000]

I vote keep all of them, push Kreuzer forward and use one as a back up.

Until it doesn't work, or someone makes an offer we can't refuse on Hammer or Jacobs.

I am excited at the prospect of having (potentially) a dominant big man division.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Keep all of them. People forget that we were down to Cloke and Setanta rucking at times this year. Four ruckmen on the list is about what we need.

The next problem is what if one of them gets pissed off at being in the VFL every week? I'll cross that bridge when I get to it - They won't all be fit all the time.

 

[blueboy25]

I would like us to play Kruezer at CHF/ FP and have hammer and warnock rotating through the ruck.

I also think there may be times that all 3 can be on the ground at once with warnock rucking and have krooze moving round the groundas as he pleases and hammer can pinch hit up forward.

Will there ever be a time hammer will play on a wing richo style?

He has the athleticism, height, pace and if he can get better at reading the play I cant see a reason why not.

 

[Sharks On A Plane]

Keep them all.

Hampson, Warnock and Kreuzer would just about be the most athletic 200cm+ ruck trio of all time. Hampson's potential is scary, Warnock moves magnificently for his height and palms the ball well, and Kreuzer is just a bloody good (and versatile) footballer.

Sauce provides more than adequate back-up to the other three in case of injury/loss of form. Great size, outstanding tap skills, and would probably be second ruckman at a lot of other sides.

 

[blues4flag]

Definitely keep. Nothing wrong with an embarrassment of riches. Better than our recent situation where we brought in reject after reject to try and a plug a hole in the ruck.

I'd like Kreuzer to play predominantly up forward next year with Warnock and Hampson sharing the ruck.

Though if Hampson can improve his marking, I think he'll make a very dangerous forward. With his incredible speed and size he'd be nigh on unstoppable.

*drools*

 

[TrentM]

Kreuzer- recruited as a ruck, will become a dominant ruckman, has all the attributes which have been stated numerous times

Hampson- very athletic, good backup ruck at the moment.

Warnock, havent seen much of him to be honest, just what people have been saying

Jacobs- see Warnock.

2010, i think Kreuzer and Hampson to play in ruck. When we need an extra tall, play Warnock and Hampson in the ruck and Kreuzer in the forward line and doing some rucking in duties there.

Jacobs as backup.

Im glad we gave Jacobs kick up the rear, and getting Warnock has given our ruck stocks the competition it needs for them to push one another and improve.

 

[BluesMan]

Trade cloke

hammer, warnock and sauce to play ot for 2 spots

Kruez up forward is the long term sights.

 

[BlueSnake]

I reckon keep them all, at least for another year or two.

Though if Hampson can improve his marking, I think he'll make a very dangerous forward. With his incredible speed and size he'd be nigh on unstoppable.

*drools*

This thought often has me drooling too. If he can end up gloving most balls that come towards him, combined with his other attributes, he would create massive headaches for the opposition. Simply, generally anyone fast enough to keep up with him in terms of speed would be far too small and anyone big enough wouldn't be quick enough.
Imagine something like the opposition's big lumbering dinosaur type ruckman being pushed back to defend on him rofl.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Not sure if "killing it" really describes their form for the Ants and they have not really been up against a good ruckman. Ottens was not back and gunning
Sauce showed plenty early in the year and Warnock has big promises to fill
Hampson has done a fine job.
Cloke Carlos and Kreuz can be more valuable elsewhere
All are worth retaining

 

[Cruiser23]

Keep them all...

Assess at the end of next year, fascinated at what Ratten and co will do with regards to the 4 next year (hopefully they all stay healthy).

 

[Jeremias]

Keep all of them.

It always baffles me when this topic comes up, just how many people support trading some of our ruckmen away.

Teams dream about getting depth in every area. Up forward, through the middle, down back. Yet I think that depth in the ruck division is just as important, and is a weapon for us if we use it to our advantage.

Develop them in the hope that they can all one day become valuable contributors. If that doesn't happen or if one asks to leave, then explore our options to trade them. But we'd be silly IMO to trade them unless our hands are forced.

As for next year......

Warnock: #1 starting ruckman
Kreuzer: Forward with stints in the ruck
Hampson: Start on the bench
Jacobs: VFL

I have a feeling that we really will look to employ a 3 ruckman strategy, with all 3 rotating in the ruck, up forward and off the bench. That could really work to our advantage, there aren't too many defenses in the league that won't struggle with a 200cm 2nd/3rd tall forward.

Jacobs has been developing beautifully but will need to wait for his time. We can afford to keep him on the rookie list for another season so there is no need to rush with him. Give him the number 1 ruck job for the Bullants all season, a role in which I am sure he will thrive and continue his development. Bring him in with confidence, should we suffer injuries or suspension to our other ruckmen or if one is out of form.

We have a really valuable situation with our ruckmen and the depth which we possess in that area and it really baffles me that some do not want to really use that to our advantage.

 

[Blueboys7]

^^^^

Agree J, everyone is very quick to jump in and say trade one of Sauce and Hampson but atm Warnock is a huge injury worry. I for one am not pinning my hopes on him and would not look at trading any or our rucks unless an offer too good to refuse comes along (unlikely).

 

[big_dunk]

Don't rucks normally peak at about mid 25+? Jolly is 27 I think. The problem may be that when we do have a chance at the title, our rucks will still be babies.

 

[Blueboys7]

Don't rucks normally peak at about mid 25+? Jolly is 27 I think. The problem may be that when we do have a chance at the title, our rucks will still be babies.

Generally mid 20's, which makes what our ruckmen are doing quite special. 24 is the age where you would like to see them taking hold of games but they are doing a fine job.

More of a worry is Fev may be past it when we are ready to really challenge the top sides, especially with no successor

 

[Just Kreuzing]

Generally mid 20's, which makes what our ruckmen are doing quite special. 24 is the age where you would like to see them taking hold of games but they are doing a fine job.

More of a worry is Fev may be past it when we are ready to really challenge the top sides, especially with no successor

I can see Jarrad Waite finishing his career at full forward.

 

[Blueboys7]

I can see Jarrad Waite finishing his career at full forward.

Waite - 27 in Feb

Fevola - 29 in Jan

Not much of a succession plan. I'm talking about someone who can take over and hold FF for the next 10 years.

 

[NAUGHT5]

Keep all 4 for now but in reality one of the 4 will have to be traded if things go to plan.

4 Ruckmen who will be hitting their prime in sync is absolutely brilliant but how many clubs have this? None.
Because the 4th guy would prefer to get regular senior footy elsewhere.

We have to resign ourselves to the fact that one of these guys will either be ruined by injury, not be as good as we had hoped, or be traded.

 

[BLue_Bloys]

Jacobs will probably want a trade if he doesn't get much of an opportunity.

If he can improve his disposal or decision making he'll be much more than handy for the new gold coast side.

He was found out a few times this year when he constantly tried to handball off to a running receiver under pressure. Clubs worked out pretty quick he doesn't like to have the ball in his hands.

He seems to be one of the nicest guys at the club.

Anyway, keep them all for now and promote competition!

 

[Duddy Shanklin]

Kreuzer for Roughead straight swap.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Kreuzer for Roughead straight swap.

let me take a moment to consider that........




ahh No!

 

[BlueDiesel]

Ha Yeah Nah.

 

[Weiterbot23]

To get maximum value out of a trade we shouldn't wait until a player is "demanding" a trade. When that is the case the team the players is leaving usually gets screwed.

If everything goes to plan and there aren't anymore major injuries, all four will improve and one will be unlucky and play most games in the VFL...potentially 2 could be VFL bound!!!

I believe Jacobs is the most underated of the lot, he could be a very servicable back up ruck and won't cost us big $$$ (which will be important down the track).

So IMO the best way to go would be to play Kreuzer forward/leading up the wing. Have Warnock as the first ruck sharing with Hamma off the bench. This will give other clubs (GC17) plently of opportunity to see how good Hamma is/will be. GC17 would be desperate for a home grown ruck at the ideal age of 22 to lead them and give us a high pick.

Keeping Kreuzer, 206 and the Jacobs (cheaply) and getting a possible top 10 pick would be the best result IMO. It would be great to keep Hamma aswell but think about how expensive it would be when there all 26.

 

[Bluebear]

Keeping Kreuzer, 206 and the Jacobs (cheaply) and getting a possible top 10 pick would be the best result IMO. It would be great to keep Hamma aswell but think about how expensive it would be when there all 26.

A possible top 10?

Cam Wood got a top 10 pick and had done less than what Hammer has done now.

Let me say from the outset I want to keep Hammer........but if he decided he was missing the GC winters..........

I would think if Hammer went to GC17 he would easily command a top 10 pick.

They will want to keep their top 2 picks and will probably have to use pick 3 (and maybe a little more) on Tippet.

We would be looking for pick 5 or 7 depending on what sort of year Hammer has next year.