VFL VFL Round 2 v Port Melbourne @ ETU Stadium. Saturday April 1st 7:35pm

[Mollythedolly]

I only listened to the call while I went for a run, but I must say it sounded as though Ryan brought his own ball to the game.

Still not convinced about his kicking. Only the 1 OOF this week but he’s bombing long to an outnumbered team mate to often for my liking. Needs to identify better options. A lot of what he does though is sensational so hopefully that’s just an experience thing.

 

[sr36]

He’s very composed with ball in hand. That’s what I like about him.

Seems to read it and position beautifully too.

 

[Mollythedolly]

McStay was taken to play forward. We ballsed up pure and simple. Take this scenario, would we better off if we'd delisted Kelly, recruited a ready-made ruck like Naismith + Steene, shifted Begg to KPD to develop, keep McStay forward? It's what we should have done and a few were saying it in the off-season.

Remember the days when we had Witts, Shae Mc, Ceglar, Keeffe and Wood all playing VFL together, most inside F50? That’s what your scenario brings to mind. Happy with the decisions made by the club.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Who worked him out? He was kicking goals long after the persecution by umps began. All they did was rob him of another 8-10 certain goals had his name been Smith.

Told me last weekend at Vic Park he’d have kicked 70 if he got all the frees he deserved.

 

[TradeDraft]

McStay is our 3rd best, you're right. I just wish he wasn't and could stay forward. Truth is he won't win a tap and will need to do the job around the ground to impact in the role.

Unless we put Steene/Moore/Frampton in the Ruck

 

[TradeDraft]

Odd, Markov did provide some run, but wouldn've have had him that high. Macrae should have been 1st with 25, 2 goals, 7 clearances

VFL Bests seem to be a Encouragement Award

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

I don't necessarily disagree, but this wasn't your original argument at all, you've completely reframed the discussion.

I'm not even remotely caught up on who the player should be, I was just adamant heading into the season, and even more so now, that we needed an experienced dedicated backup ruck on our list. I think McAvoy would've been the wisest choice, but yeah, like I said, don't really mind who it was, I just think it was pretty clear we needed someone and it's pretty obvious if we had Naismith, he'd be playing next week. We've neglected our VFL ruck stocks since we had Hudson.

Yeah, l originally said l would’nt have taken him because he was rucking against a kid in Steene, and a VFL listed player in Purcell last night, and he had 60 hitouts, but his side got smashed. So his ruck work to advantage was ordinary, plus he took one mark for the game and that was late in the last quarter....The 30 years old, and 3 knee reconstructions were just the icing on the cake....

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Unless we put Steene/Moore/Frampton in the Ruck

Frampton will ruck in the backline, McStay in the F50, and we will go with different options in between the defensive and forward 50's...

 

[Doc1763]

Frampton will ruck in the backline, McStay in the F50, and we will go with different options in between the defensive and forward 50's...

I knew we shouldn't have delisted Blair.

 

[sr36]

McStay was taken to play forward. We ballsed up pure and simple. Take this scenario, would we better off if we'd delisted Kelly, recruited a ready-made ruck like Naismith + Steene, shifted Begg to KPD to develop, keep McStay forward? It's what we should have done and a few were saying it in the off-season.

I don't think it's a balls up. First ruck is one position on the field. There's only so much depth you can afford to run for one position. We've got our first three choices for that position injured, plus Kreuger who they'd probably use 4th. But they all should be back before too long.

 

[Quicky]

Remember the days when we had Witts, Shae Mc, Ceglar, Keeffe and Wood all playing VFL together, most inside F50? That’s what your scenario brings to mind. Happy with the decisions made by the club.

It's not if you think it through and acknowledge Begg is no ruck. It would have left us two rucks (Steene + ready-made) when we play a two-ruck system in the seniors. Begg + Dean back. Krueger, Johnson and Wilson forward.

 

[sr36]

It's not if you think it through and acknowledge Begg is no ruck. It would have left us two rucks (Steene + ready-made) when we play a two-ruck system in the seniors. Begg + Dean back. Krueger, Johnson and Wilson forward.

Begg may not be much of a ruck, but he's shown even less as a back - including attributes in my opinion. At the moment, ruck is the only AFL position that he could be considered for.

I agree with you, if we are wedded to the 2 ruck system, but I don't think we are - otherwise you're right we should have added another AFL ready ruck. Kreuger injured and a supposedly poor preseason by Johnson left us playing 2 rucks for the first fortnight - but I think Johnson will stop us going that way again if we get them all fit. Kreuger would have the potential to do likewise.

 

[Apex36]

It's not if you think it through and acknowledge Begg is no ruck. It would have left us two rucks (Steene + ready-made) when we play a two-ruck system in the seniors. Begg + Dean back. Krueger, Johnson and Wilson forward.

Begg is a ruck until the club he says he’s not a ruck. I get why you feel like he’s not, but he’s not the first sub 200cm ruckman and he won’t be the last.

 

[Fat Jesus]

Begg is a ruck until the club he says he’s not a ruck. I get why you feel like he’s not, but he’s not the first sub 200cm ruckman and he won’t be the last.

He just needs to show more. Hasn't done much to earn a place yet.
Steene has shown plenty in a couple of games and he's not ready either.

 

[Quicky]

Begg is a ruck until the club he says he’s not a ruck. I get why you feel like he’s not, but he’s not the first sub 200cm ruckman and he won’t be the last.

Begg the ruck is wasted effort.

 

[Quicky]

I don't think it's a balls up. First ruck is one position on the field. There's only so much depth you can afford to run for one position. We've got our first three choices for that position injured, plus Kreuger who they'd probably use 4th. But they all should be back before too long.

It is a balls up in a two ruck system for all the reasons I've already said. I get not rating the ruck but when your 3rd choice is Begg then Krueger, McStay, Frampton you're disrespecting the role. They're all part timers at best and can't play the number 1 role. Which also pulls them away from other areas of the field. We need more cover there.

 

[Apex36]

Begg the ruck is wasted effort.

I’m inclined to think that Begg the AFL player is a wasted list spot tbh, but as I said, until the club says he’s not a ruck, he’s a ruck.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Begg is a ruck until the club he says he’s not a ruck. I get why you feel like he’s not, but he’s not the first sub 200cm ruckman and he won’t be the last.

It’s very important to correctly capture exactly which positions Begg is incapable of playing. Whether it’s his primary position of incapability or a secondary one.

 

[sr36]

It is a balls up in a two ruck system for all the reasons I've already said. I get not rating the ruck but when your 3rd choice is Begg then Krueger, McStay, Frampton you're disrespecting the role. They're all part timers at best and can't play the number 1 role. Which also pulls them away from other areas of the field. We need more cover there.

Yep. I agree if we were planning on a two ruck system. But I don't think we were planning on a two ruck system. Kreuger is injured and Johnson supposedly had a poor preseason, meaning Cox was first choice as someone to chop out in the ruck and take a mark up forward. I think Johnson has already passed him if he keeps that up, but won't be an issue for a while now as Cox will be first ruck when he returns.

 

[Apex36]

I’m inclined to think that Begg the AFL player is a wasted list spot tbh, but as I said, until the club says he’s not a ruck, he’s a ruck.

TradeDraft Assuming you’re using the angry emoji in place of the thumbs down Dave, I’m curious to know what it is that Begg has shown so far to make you think that he is capable of becoming AFL standard?

 

[TradeDraft]

TradeDraft Assuming you’re using the angry emoji in place of the thumbs down Dave, I’m curious to know what it is that Begg has shown so far to make you think that he is capable of becoming AFL standard?

He Competes very Well and makes Contests.

Not seen him Forward Much where he Could be Good.

Don't need to be a Superstar in the Ruck.

Rucks can take until there Mid 20's to come Good.

Yeah the Angry Face is instead of the Thumbs Down

 

[Fruit]

Don’t get the hate on macrae. Misses the entire pre season with a back complaint. First two games he’s had 34 touches and then 25, and kicking 1-2 goals a game. Most games I’ve seen him play he’s having 2-3 shots on goal. Clearance work has been good, he’s laying tackles, everything he should be doing, and he’s coming from far back fitness wise. He’s not a “pretty” footballer but most inside mids aren’t, I’m hoping he will be our adams replacement

Exactly. Still only 21 years old too. Should be a lot more upside to come.

 

[Apex36]

He Competes very Well and makes Contests.

Not seen him Forward Much where he Could be Good.

Don't need to be a Superstar in the Ruck.

Rucks can take until there Mid 20's to come Good.

Yeah the Angry Face is instead of the Thumbs Down

Fair enough. I don’t see it personally, I think he’ll be delisted at the end of his contract.

 

[Mollythedolly]

It's not if you think it through and acknowledge Begg is no ruck. It would have left us two rucks (Steene + ready-made) when we play a two-ruck system in the seniors. Begg + Dean back. Krueger, Johnson and Wilson forward.

It is. I disagree Begg should go back. Happy for him to play ruck while the club think there's development in the role to be had.

 

[No SPIN]

I'm hoping he can step up. It's just that jogging pace and lack of explosiveness, Everything he does is at pedestrian pace. In that memorable Carlton clash in the final round he looked lost.

He’s got more than enough pace - Taranto is considered a gun and is slower than McCrae.