Re: The Ruck Division .... Is It Really Competent Enough ??
Reply #371 –
I thought Collingwood got a clear advantage in the ruck especially when Jack was matched up on Cameron as the two second stringers and looked very slow. Maybe thats just one game and the Pies are slicker than most teams and made Jack look bad but for me it has to be horses for courses when Jack plays ruck. ie I dont want him rucking vs Gawn/Grundy at the MCG but maybe vs Sydney who will only have Hickey and some young kid whose name escapes me he will be better suited.
I thought Jack battled hard and his second efforts were good as usual. However, he got absolutely hammered both in the physical contests and the outcomes by the Collingwood rucks, and the Bulldog rucks the week before. And he doesn't get to choose when the opposition second stringer gives the first ruck a spell. Pitto was off the ground for longish periods leaving Jack to compete against the first rucks. Apart from handing the opposition rucks and mids an advantage, rucking Jack affects his work as a third tall.
Young is a much better option as back up ruck, provided we're prepared to let his work in defence suffer and have cover from Kemp (or Jack).
I agree with a horses for courses approach but playing two genuine rucks can cause problems for the opposition ... but not if we continually rest one ruckman on the bench.