Well, we can probably put an end to the one ruck/two ruck debate that’s permeated multiple threads over the last year or so, not just in this place but across all Carlton discussion forums.
As it turns out, in the words of Taras Bulba…”We were both right…and we were both wrong!” There is a time and a place for both options depending on the skills of the players involved.
We recognise the advantages of one ruck in terms of the extra run. On the weekend we saw the advantages of two rucks. Will either option work every week? I doubt it will. Two rucks may not even work next week. One thing we can be sure of is, that having seen how Pittonet and TDK operated on the weekend, opposition clubs will devote a bit of time as to how they combat that combination.
Supporters tend to see things in term of how things work in the past and how they are working in the present. A coaching group has a different perspective. For them the past is irrelevant. The present is important because of the need to win, and bank points but they also need to look to the future. Will a small experiment or sacrifice early in the season generate a greater benefit at the end of the year?
There was some criticism of using Pittonet last week against Adelaide. But in hindsight he was probably handled perfectly. Superhuman freaks (Walsh) may be able to step back into a side without missing a beat, but for the average player after a long lay-off or a late start to the season, it often takes a match or two to get back up to speed. Fifty percent game time for Pittonet in his first game back was probably the ideal re-introduction to the side. Did it alter the result? No more than a dozen or so other incidents in that game.
Just to finish…. -Pittonet reckons they’re developing into a good combination with a good understanding. That takes time playing together. It’s useless having one bide his time, learning his trade in DeKoning’s case, in the VFL where their role would probably be different. Game time together is important.
-There’s been a definite improvement in DeKoning’s game and influence…as well as his ruck work. He gave one of the best ‘hit-outs to advantage’ I’ve seen in recent times on the weekend. (it may have been a bit of a fluke.)
-Pittonet and TDK are very different types of ruckman, and bring different strengths to the game.
-Cripps loves playing to Pittonet. It showed on the weekend.
-The coaches have a much greater knowledge than we do of a) What they’re trying to achieve long term with the ruck situation. b) The strengths, weaknesses and fitness levels of each player at any given time. c) Opposition strengths and weaknesses that are analysed in preparation for the next games d) How each player complements the other. e) The balance- what is the cost effect of playing one combination vs the other. They don’t get paid the big bucks for working out something a footy tragic can deduce by a couple of hours of watching a game.
So, let’s not go week by week depending on results, favouring one option or the other. Know that both can work. Trust the experts. They seem to be doing OK with half the side missing.
Run is very important.....but no player in the history of the game has ever run faster than the ball. So fix up the precision and accuracy of the disposal
Short memory Lods, i'm pretty sure i said the exact same thing last week except it was Pittonet instead of O'Keefe!
I suspect there is still a bit of a difference between Pittonet and O'Keefe
Unless there is an issue with one of the rucks, O'Keefe is just there for show. In the unlikely event that he does play it just reinforces the fact that the coaching group are committed to two rucks.
So that then begs the question.... If a coaching group that contains a Brownlow medallist and triple premiership mid-fielder with over 150 games of senior coaching, and years as an assistant at a moderately successful Port...and our best ruckman this century think that there are times when the two ruck option should be used. and knowing the strengths and weaknesses, and fitness levels of both our ruckman far better than any of us.
Why are they on a different page to those questioning the two ruck set-up?
They're either as stubborn as mules, or they have a 'cunning' plan that depends on time for Pittonet and TDK to work together and develop a combination. In all the games both have played probably less half have been together.
In the end they'll either work it out or abandon it.
Surely O'Keffe can't be an emergency. Three rucks ? what drugs are the MC on?
Being named an emergency is sometimes a bit like a 'participation certificate'. It's a reward for effort and it sends the message that "you're not too far away" If we have to make a late change it's a pretty fair bet it won't be O'Keefe coming in....most likely it will be Cincotta, if he's fit.
Lewis Young and Lemmey are ahead of him in the pecking order ...
Lemmey's a project. A work in progress...He was OK last week in defence, but there is a big jump from a 'try' in defence and a full game at AFL level. If Young's not selected that will set the rumour mill off again
I have developed a bit of a sniffle and, as Ms DJC is scheduled to have an operation on Friday, I thought I should do a RAT; positive!
That's a bugger. Good luck with it and hopefully the operation can go ahead. I had a procedure scheduled about 18 months ago and had a bit of a sniffle develop overnight. Felt not too bad when I woke up but tested anyway for a positive result. Had to cancel the procedure and by lunchtime I was flat out feeling awful.
On a positive note there was little drama in re-scheduling. Hospitals and surgeon were very good and understanding. Spent the rest of the day feeling awful but managed to get some anti virals and felt better pretty quickly.
It will depend on what they decide and I don't think they'll be taking advice from us
One factor that may come into play is the number of changes they want to make. With the forced changes, will they be concerned about too many changes On the other hand, with McGovern and Saad out of the game the drive from the backline will need bolstering
GWS usually only relies on the one ruck, Briggs. It really makes sense for us to only play one. If that's not the case, and we play both, then there may be some 'alternate' thinking taking place. (or they may just be stubborn )
It will be interesting to see what the selection folk do with the rucks this week. It will tell a bit of a story as to how committed they are to the "Two ruck solution"
I'm not sure whether there's a transcript of the Judge's decision online yet, but he addresses all these issues. (State of inebriation, activity at the bar, the entrance to Parliament). He goes into specific detail as to why he gives weight to some aspects and little weight to others.
