Vardy vs Lycett - who partners Nic Nat in 2018?

[The Gov]

Never posted a thread on here before so mods feel free to delete/merge if it's too similar to anything else.

After all the doom and gloom about our list regarding our midfield, small forwards and leaders, one positive discussion point to emerge from this season is Nathan Vardy.

Getting better with each game, Vards has been competitive in the ruck, and most importantly a consistent presence around the ground. This is perhaps a criticism of Slyce, who has played some great games but also, especially when Nic is playing, sometimes fails to make his around the ground impact felt.

Nicnat presumably returns at the start of next season, and even more so than before the knee will need someone to give him a chop-out. Who would people rather we play as our second ruckman?

Vardy has grown as a ruckman this season but has in the past been used predominantly as a forward. Given more opportunities to develop in the ruck this year he could double as a second ruck and be that consistent 2nd key forward that draws defenders from JK and allows Darling to play as the third tall (his best position IMO)

Slyce on the other hand has probably shown he can match it better rucking-wise against the elite of the competition like Gawn, but would he be as effective around the ground? Both men are at similar stages in their development I feel - Lycett is younger but has played more games at AFL level.

If it was me I'd go with Vardy, Lycett would be better as a lone ruckman but Vards could be the best second fiddle in the comp if given enough time. But where does that leave Lycett? Injury cover?

Curious to see what people think

 

[Ghossein]

both, vardy primarily forward, get jack to lose weight over the off-season and make him the third tall/pressuring forward

 

[Crimson King]

Neither. Naita turns into the contested beast, inside bull we have been looking for with Lycett first ruck and Vardy his backup which ends with us winning numerous premierships. The end.

 

[mick06]

The best thing would be for everyone to get fully fit, vardy becomes an absolute gun in back half of the season, raises his value significantly and requests a trade home and has multiple suitors.

 

[Jootube]

The best thing would be for everyone to get fully fit, vardy becomes an absolute gun in back half of the season, raises his value significantly and requests a trade home and has multiple suitors.

I would have thought that a fit Vardy offers us more than a fit Lycett? - Given that Vardy is more of a forward/chop-out ruck compared to Lycett who's more of a Ruck/Resting forward
Maybe Lycett back to S.A for a 2nd round pick?

Unfortunately, it probably all hinges on how well Nic Nat recovers.

 

[Mico89]

hard to say at this point, Lycett has done more for us so its easy to say he would be picked. But I do like the look of Vardy and what he has shown so far. In his limited time at the cats he was used more as a forward and for him to adapt to his new role so quickly shows he is a quality player. In the long run and my gut feeling point towards Vardy

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

They should make Lycett and Vardy compete for the spot.

 

[lewigie]

They should make Vardy and Lycett fight to the death in a circle for the spot

 

[Biggie]

They should make Vardy and Lycett fight to the death in a circle for the spot

 

[flyinghi64]

Really need to see Lycett back out at AFL level.
At the moment though Vardy is playing well enough to maybe use Lycett to get MGov here.

 

[Mico89]

They should make Vardy and Lycett fight to the death in a circle for the spot

Circle of death?

 

[eaglesfan84]

Darling out, Vardy to go forward

 

[KO_KO]

Really good question but a good problem to have.

My opinion is Lycett main ruck, with Vardy 2nd ruck / resting forward.

Petrie, as good as he has been, is not the future and a stop gap that we have had to use unfortunately. So for me, when Lycett if fit he comes in for Petrie.

 

[eaglesfan84]

Really good question but a good problem to have.

My opinion is Lycett main ruck, with Vardy 2nd ruck / resting forward.

Petrie, as good as he has been, is not the future and a stop gap that we have had to use unfortunately. So for me, when Lycett if fit he comes in for Petrie.

I think I'd rather drop Darling and have Vardy and Lycett as 1 and 2 rucks, Petrie to play forward.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

We'd be doing better this year had Lycett been fit all season. We need him right now. However it's an interesting point given Nic Nat, Vardy and Giles are contracted for next year. 3 and a developing ruck is all we need.

 

[ziad]

A few questions -how far off is Lysett?
I Vardy the true forward than can ruck? He shows agility at times but does he have the tank to play CHF for example?
Is Lysett a true dominant ruckman? I suspect so but the memory fades.
How will Nic recover? I think his value is often on the ground more than at the tap so perhaps less leap isn't such a big issue!
Will boundary throw ins be replaced with the last touch rule and the bounce cut out for a trow up as most umps can not bounce - thus changing the ruck dynamics?

 

[ioppolo]

Nathan Vardy. Just a gut feeling. I like the cut of his jib.

 

[Jiggyman]

Lycett won't be happy at the end of the year if he can't shore up number 1 ruck without Naitanui... Impossible to say but Vardy clearly offers us more right at this moment.

 

[eaglesnutcase]

Lycett is tougher!!

 

[matt_bas]

Nic/Vardy will be our 2018 duo. Lycett will partner Jacobs over at Adelaide.

 

[PintSzedSlasher]

Lycett more upside imo, better ruckman, skills (particularly by foot) are better and more upside future wise. Vardys been good around the ground but ruckwise any half decent tap ruckman has beaten him.

 

[FKASC]

Can't beat Slyce's tackling

 

[eaglesnutcase]

Bloody hell i hope not!! Near the end of last year NN was playing career

Nic/Vardy will be our 2018 duo. Lycett will partner Jacobs over at Adelaide.

Bloody hope not.Nn was playing career best footy at the end last year,and its no coincidence Lycett was there.Lycett is the thug and NN is the cream.There is less pressure when NN doesnt have to be both.

 

[Chris_6678]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-28/nic-nat-a-long-shot-to-return-this-year-simmo

Smart if this is the case. Looks to be in full training but to be honest we are not going to win a flag so lets get him 110% ready for next year becasue you can just see him doing his hammy a few times in his comeback if it was this year.

 

[FKASC]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-28/nic-nat-a-long-shot-to-return-this-year-simmo

Smart if this is the case. Looks to be in full training but to be honest we are not going to win a flag so lets get him 110% ready for next year becasue you can just see him doing his hammy a few times in his comeback if it was this year.

It's sad we'll never see Nic-Mitch but it's the right decision to wait.