Rucks,sink or swim?

[Frederlick]

Given that the ruck has caused so much angst this season tonight is an awesome chance to see exactly what is happening when Fraser isn't there to shore it up. Personally I think that Fraser has carried the ruck all year without adequate help and now we will see exactly what the others are capable of delivering. Please post thoughts on their respective performances, sans Fraser.

 

[Palmer Stoat]

I predict that there'll be a lot more sinking than swimming taking place.

 

[shawthing09]

I hope with stick with Richards as the number 1 ruck tonight some player grow in confidence when given this role. Hopefully he at leasts floats

 

[MiguelRodriguez]

The thing with ruckmen is they have two areas within which they can beat their man- 1. Hit outs to advantage 2. Around the ground work.

Cox dominates both.
Spider is a hit out man.
Josh is an around the ground man.

Guy Richards has a chance to actually show his wares in one or both of these trades without playing second fiddle to Josh. I'm tipping to beat Jeff White it will have to be hitouts to advantage.
Guy wins- he buys a lifeline.
Guy loses- career over.

Bryan is VFL standard only and is there purely as backup.

 

[MarkT]

This is a good opportunity to get a direct comparrison and decide who to play from here on and who to delist at the of the year.

 

[sloth6]

Both were good tonight. Richards tap work was exceptional, just pissweak everywhere else.

Byran threw his weight around, should spend more time forward.

 

[WakeUpPies]

LMFAO, white - biggest dud ruck LOL beaten by bryan AND richards in one night

 

[magpies42]

great effort by the pair, really stood up!

 

[Jabso]

1st half - swimming like Ian Thorpe
2nd half - just floating

 

[Frederlick]

1st half - swimming like Ian Thorpe
2nd half - just floating

When saying so little says so much! Spot on, part of the reason they limped home, first half both worked hard and Bryan took a few and marks and made his presence known, second half MIA.

 

[ROWDY26]

HIT OUTS: dont know if to advantage or not but.

Richards 18(career high?) White16
Bryan 9 Jamar 10

not too bad,

 

[Jabso]

http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=200129

His highest amount of hitouts is 28 vs. Sydney 2004.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I thought Richards was good, and Bryan just passable. Richards' centre work is far superior, but he's still a liability around the ground. Tonight he did just a little bit better in that area.

 

[Medstar]

They were ok.

 

[Jabso]

If only players could play drunk. I'd get Richards pissed just to give him confidence to think he's superman, you'll see him going for 40+ metre passes to a moving target and will probably hit them. I'm telling you he has good skills, but doesn't know how to use them!

 

[Matt]

I actually saw Richards back into a pack and not fall over in the process tonight. He dropped the mark, but the fact he was there and on his feet is an encouraging sign.

Bryan got a bit more of it tonight than he has done in the past, but I actually think Richards' work rate around the ground is higher than Bryan's... you just panic every time Guy gets the ball in his hands.

 

[Jabso]

I actually saw Richards back into a pack and not fall over in the process tonight. He dropped the mark, but the fact he was there and on his feet is an encouraging sign.

Bryan got a bit more of it tonight than he has done in the past, but I actually think Richards' work rate around the ground is higher than Bryan's... you just panic every time Guy gets the ball in his hands.

So does he!

 

[Thommo 42]

they were both decent and both beat their opponent, it didn't really solve anything regarding which one should support Josh!

 

[Pedro]

Richards managed to baulk around Pickett at one stage. Little Byron should be ashamed of himself