Sam Jacobs

[PJ Power]

I reckon we need another ruckman on the list who is ready to play at AFL level next year. I wasn't a big fan of us going into games with one ruckman through matches this year and would prefer to be more conventional in our line-up next season under a new coach.

While I want to see Lobbe, Bass and Redden all come good, I don't have a problem with having long-term depth in the ruck dept (God knows we haven't had that for a few years now), much as we did in the early 2000s. If we get Jacobs and he proves to be better than the other three young options we have, then we certainly have not lost. It is incumbent on them to make sure that they work hard enough to present a better option than Jacobs. Hopefully a new coach will not have the Choco flaw of selectively playing traded-for players over more deserving kids.

What I don't want is for us to use our first round pick or our first two picks on any ruckman (including Lycett). I'd rather us target best available midfielders, given where our draft picks will be.

If we on-trade the Krakouer compensation pick for Jacobs, then that's not a bad outcome.

 

[Asgardian]

An interesting item from the AdelaideNow site

see here

"PORT Adelaide has all but scrapped plans to find a genuine ruckman to support Dean Brogan and is likely to be a bit player at best in AFL trade week."

see here

I reckon this may be a bit of smoke & mirrors stuff

 

[PJ Power]

^ Hmmm..........it's either a case of (1) an article with very soft research, (2) Rohde is selling them some mis-truths or (3) Rohde is actually planning on us having a quiet trading period. Given that we don't even know who our senior coach is going to be, I am surprised that anyone, including Rohde (who according to some has very little involvement in important matters like recruiting), could make predictions about our actvity in trade week. Surely, a new coach (unless of course it is Primus) could come in and surprise the football dept by his appraisal of our list and our personnel needs.

 

[Malibu#27]

We were actively looking for a ruchman last year. Now we hear we are not chasing one because it's too hard to get one to move to be second ruck - IF Jacobs really had agreed then this statement would be an obvious lie.
I'm more concerned that the club believes clubs only need one ruck - I'm not sure how correct this is.
But the part of Rhodes comments that concern me the most is just how hampered our club is because of money. Our coach was always going to be a rookie as it's apparently all we can afford, and we are paying the best part of a million less in the salary cap. Frankly I think we're stuffed if we can't get our revenue up. We are going to keep losing players as they look for across in pay, we are going to find it impossible to attract players from other clubs ( unless they are set to be delisted ) we are in big trouble.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Yes, call me old fashioned but I still like the idea of two geniune rucks. They need to be mobile, sure, but must be the genuine article when it comes to ruck contests.

I'm not sorry though, if it's true we're not chasing an outsider to support Brogan, because it frees us to bolster other areas of the squad and gives room for Lobbe to develop.

The Fjeldsted article seems to puncture the confident assertions of that Carlton poster who said he had a well placed source.

 

[Deep Blue]

Let's get serious here gopower, you hate it when opposition supporters under value Port players but here you are doing it to Sauce. Jacobs is an AFL standard first ruck which is what both Port and the Crows are crying out for. Salopek doesn't offer us much more than an addition to the midfield rotation. You'll have to do better than that, your first round pick is a bit more like it.

Sauce has come along in leaps and bounds (pardon the pun) this year and is the best performed ruckman in the VFL, notwithstanding he's played quite a few senior games with Carlton and has acquited himself very well. Sauce is very similar to Mumford in my book (mirrors where Mumford was at last year), but at Carlton he just has to compete with a injury-free, very tall and mobile Warnock, Mr third-effort and goal-kicking ruckman Kreuzer, and Hampson (Sauce is a better ruckman than Hampson but loses out by just a tad due to Hampson's Tippetesque potential). Would love to keep one so young and with so much potential but may not be possible - would complement an older Brogan very well.

 

[Natman]

Yes, call me old fashioned but I still like the idea of two geniune rucks. They need to be mobile, sure, but must be the genuine article when it comes to ruck contests.

I'm not sorry though, if it's true we're not chasing an outsider to support Brogan, because it frees us to bolster other areas of the squad and gives room for Lobbe to develop.

The Fjeldsted article seems to puncture the confident assertions of that Carlton poster who said he had a well placed source.

I must admit that I am more comfortable with 2 genuine ruckmen in the side, but there is a tactical issue coming up with the inevitable restrictions on interchanges coming up next season.

Our mid-field depth and fitness (when compared to the mature bodied opposition) will be tested by having another ruckman take up one interchange position.

 

[wapower]

I must admit that I am more comfortable with 2 genuine ruckmen in the side, but there is a tactical issue coming up with the inevitable restrictions on interchanges coming up next season.

Our mid-field depth and fitness (when compared to the mature bodied opposition) will be tested by having another ruckman take up one interchange position.

I'm somewhat conflicted on this issue. Patchwork ruck duties are OK but I'm interested in what the correlation between one good ruckman and two good ruckman would be. I'd be interested to see the difference between a side carrying one ruck and one part-timer versus two specific ruckman would be. I agree with you in that I'd feel safer with two ruckman (especially given Brogan's age).

There's nothing stopping sides from resting a midfielder in the forward pocket for spells ala GABJR. That opens a different kettle of fish in regards to strength and conditioning preparation. One would think the players would slim in appearance and greater stocks in running players will be ever more important.

Perhaps followers of the NRL can pass on how capped interchanges have affected their game for the uninitiated.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

I'd prefer to see the relieving ruck duties given to a genuine ruck who has been developed to have the ability to go forward and be a threat, rather than a genuine forward who has been developed to have some ruck skills.

I think Lobbe has the potential to fill that Brendan Lade spot in the side.

 

[Natman]

I'd prefer to see the relieving ruck duties given to a genuine ruck who has been developed to have the ability to go forward and be a threat, rather than a genuine forward who has been developed to have some ruck skills.

I think Lobbe has the potential to fill that Brendan Lade spot in the side.

Personally, I think that Lobbe does not have natural forward instincts, whereas Redden does.

Lobbe will be second (and then first) in the pecking order for at least 2-3 seasons, so your theory might apply better to a Lobbe/Redden combo, rather than a Brogan/Lobbe combo.

 

[Phhht]

Perhaps followers of the NRL can pass on how capped interchanges have affected their game for the uninitiated.

Well I am far from an expert on anything NRL related but until the last couple of years I did watch a decent amount of the game.

The first thing I noticed was previously (uncapped interchanges) sides loaded up on 100+ kg monsters and had them pounding up the middle of the ground and basically just bulldozed their way forward. The big forwards didn't even have to be that great a quality, just willing to take the pass and pound it forward.

Once the cap came in the i\c bench seemed to have 1 less forward, one more utility type and even on the ground, seemed like more and more players that were able to play multi-roles got games. The game certainly became more attractive (IMO) as tired forwards allowed opposition backs to move forward due to better agility/speed.

That being said, the forwards now tend to be of a much higher standard.

This may mean that specialist positions (Rucks, KPFs + KPDs) will be fewer (or perhaps the roles may be more multifaceted) but their quality will probably be much more important.

But again, I am far from being an expert on NRL (or Aussie Rules for that matter)

 

[DonDraper]

I was really looking forward to watching Jacobs play today but after reading this morning about our persistance to develop Lobbe and the potential restrictions on interchange it seems as though he won't be coming here (seriously, can the AFL please decide soon about whether they are capping them or not!)

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Personally, I think that Lobbe does not have natural forward instincts, whereas Redden does.

Lobbe will be second (and then first) in the pecking order for at least 2-3 seasons, so your theory might apply better to a Lobbe/Redden combo, rather than a Brogan/Lobbe combo.

Can't track it down right now but when Lobbe was recruited there was mention he could be either a key forward or ruck and had some experience playing forward at junior level.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Port referred to Lobbe as a tall forward when he was recruited.

 

[Portia]

An interesting item from the AdelaideNow site

see here

"PORT Adelaide has all but scrapped plans to find a genuine ruckman to support Dean Brogan and is likely to be a bit player at best in AFL trade week."

see here

I reckon this may be a bit of smoke & mirrors stuff

But with Gold Coast storming onto the scene with most of VFL side to trade and many draft picks, why would our football department want to waste time ****ing around getting bit players from Carlton anyway?

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Thanks Ford.

Now I'm being taken off to lunch. Happy fathers day fellas.

 

[Asgardian]

But with Gold Coast storming onto the scene with most of VFL side to trade and many draft picks, why would our football department want to waste time ****ing around getting bit players from Carlton anyway?

Well I reckon Jacobs will be okay, but we differ on that.

 

[b0ydman]

1 ruckman or 2

question needs to be modified if that 1 ruckman is a 30yr old warhorse called brogan vs if it is a 23yr old novice called lobbe

 

[PJ Power]

I like what I'm seeing of Jacobs. Reminds me of Mumford actually. His body positioning, tap work and work-rate have all been very decent.

 

[PJ Power]

He's just had a terrific start to the third quarter. Very clever ruckwork and good presence at ground level. Why doesn't he play more often?

 

[Donstuie]

Oh well, if you guys don't want him...

 

[Spadge]

lol 30 hit outs in 3 quarters and equal 2nd in DT points
going well

 

[PJ Power]

First time I've seen him play and he is having an absolute ripper. He has destroyed Mumford up to 3/4 time. I haven't seen a ruckman this year have so many taps to advantage in the one game.

 

[wayb2912]

we need to makee a play for him

 

[PJ Power]

Well, if Carlton let him go, then they are nuts and we'd be crazy NOT to pursue him and offer a second round pick. If today is anything to go by, he is going to be a very decent big man. Quality effort.