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.
When we play 2 rucks, Pitto needs to spend most of his time on the ball (especially early in the game) to allow TDK to provide relief when the opposition ruckman tires (especially late in games), which allows for Pitto to be subbed out if there are no injuries.
This means that one of the 3 tall forwards needs to consistently present on the wing (or in the midfield) to provide marking power; create space in the front half; and to run forward without being closely marked. They all have sufficient mobility to perform this role.
Charlie frustrates and should've had at least 3 goals at half time and sometimes looks like he needs to work a lot harder....but seems to be able to hit the scoreboard nearly every week.
Charlie has the athleticism to do much more but he doesn't chase hard after an opponent with the ball anywhere near as hard as he chases a loose ball that he thinks he can possess.
There’s nothing wrong with playing two rucks, provided that they can do more than take part in ruck contests.
A very important proviso but one that seems even more likely if the umpires continue to adjudicate centre ruck contests in the current manner, which allows Pitto to push his opponents around in a way that tended to get him penalized in previous seasons..
Lemmey is still very much a work in progress. He wasn't bad as a defender, but he doesn't have the attack on the ball that I want to see.
Dom Akuei is cooked.
Akuei has speed and a big leap plus the skinniest calves in the VFL but I have yet to see much in the way of football talent.
Lemmey has a decent pair of hands if he has a clear run at the ball and doesn't have to manoeuvre; he also seems somewhat lacking beneath his knees - despite the commentators remarks, I have not yet been impressed.
Only if he earns one by forcing his way into the team. Having said that, I thought he was better in attacking the contested ball in today's match than I have seen previously - even if he did go missing for a significant part of the second half.
allowed the Adelaide forwards far too much space. Walker seems to have Weitering beaten between the ears.
Credit the Cows' game plan and the lack of pressure on kickers from our midfielders (without Cerra).
Weitering consistently zoned off Walker by a ridiculously wide margin (and lacked the closing speed to even get to the contests) in the hope of being in charge of the defence but the unpressured Cows easily bypassed him with precise kicking to position. Walker is not a great overhead mark and the faster Kemp would have been a much better match up.
bringing in Pitto only weakened TDK (selection table stuff-up)
Replacing Cerra (a strong both-ways midfielder) with Pitto was dumb - not that Pitto played badly but it upset team balance.
It also reduced TDK's opportunity to influence the game and kept McKay from having a run on the ball, thereby lessening his opportunity to influence the game.
Looking at the replay, I was really pleased by Cincotta's game in the middle. He was our only effective mid on the day, although the kids tried hard enough. His long kicking deep into the forward 50 would have been brilliant if there had been a target to hit and his ability to tackle and smother in the middle was pleasing. I can't say that all of Pitto's kicks were that great, but he clearly had an edge over 2 highly rated kids and used it.
Billy Wilson impressed running out of defence, but he needs a lot of work on how to out-body an opponent: that was a clear weakness in my eyes. His overhead work needs a lot of work. His kicking didn't always hit the target either, but it was his first real game in our colours.
Akuei and Lemmey didn't impress me. The North forwards took big marks, and our defenders were not stopping them. Both of them need a lot more work on how to outbody an opponent. They need to be watching what Weitering does and initiating body contact.
Binns was really good early, but drifted out of the game. he had 17 possessions to half time, and 25 for the game.
I was really pleased by Cincotta's game in the middle. He was our only effective mid on the day, although the kids tried hard enough. His long kicking deep into the forward 50 would have been brilliant if there had been a target to hit and his ability to tackle and smother in the middle was pleasing - AGREED
Akuei and Lemmey didn't impress me - MY THOUGHTS TOO - I AM STILL CONCERNED ABOUT LEMMEY'S AGILITY (OR LACK THEREOF) - MAYBE PLAYING AT CHB WILL AID IN HIS DEVELOPMENT
Binns was really good early, but drifted out of the game - HAS NICE SKILLS BUT SEEMS TO BE MAINLY A LINK PLAYER WHO GETS UNCONTESTED BALL.