So can the ruck/follower position be forgotten?

[TheClokes]

What would happen if a team decided to have no ruckman and/or follower in their side – and decided to scrap the position altogether. And come game time no player would contest the bounce – they would just simply tackle the opposition ruckman if he grabs it out the air, and if he taps it, they will have an extra midfielder.

 

[Trjn]

The Lions sort of tried that last week with Tim Notting contesting the ruck vs Geelong when Clark was off the ground.

It wasn't a very good option.

 

[skzm]

they would just simply tackle the opposition ruckman if he grabs it out the air

So best case they tackle the ruckman for a ball up and a 'do over', or the ruckman gets to dispose to the advantage of a team mate?

 

[The Sultan]

rather than grab the ball the ruckman would tap to advantage of a running midfielder and who would go long into the forward line whilst the oppostiiton stands there looking like tools waiting to tackle the ruckman

 

[billy ransom]

And that extra midfielder would be occupied tackling the ruckman so he wouldn't be an extra man at all.

 

[highflyer91]

surely your not serious! good luck winning a clearance

 

[Zvim]

If you don't contest the ruck then the opposition will break and the ruck man just bash it out in front of them, you would get decimated in clearances unless your ruckman was a complete spud.

 

[scooter600x]

Bring back Trent Ormond-Allen

 

[Dylan82]

St Kilda tried that under Grant Thomas...

Now they have a ruckman, look at the results

 

[cradle of filth]

St Kilda tried that under Grant Thomas...

Now they have a ruckman, look at the results

Exactly. You can get away without a good ruckman for the most part. But in the finals against top four sides who do have ruckman, you're always going to struggle and in the end it will probably be the difference.

It's the equivalent to the bulldogs having no key-forwards. They might go all the way, but it will take a massive effort with that disadvantage.

 

[Wallaby]

Mates and I have discussed this - ruckmen are pretty useless apart from the taps these days. There are no more contested marking situations, and as for dropping back to CHB, well the opposition will just chip it around you.

So you need a tall guy who runs on for centre bounces and then runs off - but then what about around the ground ball-ups and throw-ins?

We thought about going the Laurie Keene route - he spent a year or so at West Coast without going out of the centre square - he became a static link man. It helped that he was a good kick (and could bomb it 70m when he had to).

We can't see how it could work NOT to have a ruckman - but we agreed that some team in the future WILL try it with some special tactics - whether it works or not remains to be seen.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Mates and I have discussed this - ruckmen are pretty useless apart from the taps these days. There are no more contested marking situations, and as for dropping back to CHB, well the opposition will just chip it around you.

So you need a tall guy who runs on for centre bounces and then runs off - but then what about around the ground ball-ups and throw-ins?
.

Ala Cox/Ryder/Clark/Kreuzer/Naitanui

You need big guys these days who are quick, decent skills and can run and provide either "link up" targets, play up forward and kick a few goals, or play as an extra midfielder

I think we'll see clubs idealy wanting a ruckman whos a good tap ruckman and goes forward at 204cm+, and another 198-203cm ruckman who can hit the ball and run all day and provide contests around the ground

 

[Pessimistic]

You might find out on saturday night

 

[Cynic]

Should try Motlop's trick of smothering the ball as it is bounced.

 

[AFaiL]

So best case they tackle the ruckman for a ball up and a 'do over', or the ruckman gets to dispose to the advantage of a team mate?

No, if a ruck takes it out of the air on a bounce / throw in, and are tackled, it's holding the ball. Rules, have a look at them. No wonder bomber fans scream at everything that goes against them each game...

 

[skzm]

No, if a ruck takes it out of the air on a bounce / throw in, and are tackled, it's holding the ball. Rules, have a look at them. No wonder bomber fans scream at everything that goes against them each game...

Ah yep you're right...

 

[Art Corvelay]

No, if a ruck takes it out of the air on a bounce / throw in, and are tackled, it's holding the ball. Rules, have a look at them. No wonder bomber fans scream at everything that goes against them each game...

If the player correctly disposes of the ball in the tackle it's not holding the ball.

 

[magic_johnson!]

I reakon an uncontested ruckman would be able to punch the ball 30m, into the forward 50 at some grounds.