Re: Best 22 for 2014
Reply #213 –
I doubt we drafted SpecialK for marking, his deal is like his nickname suggests The Tractor. He will run through packs at stoppages or inflict carnage on opposition mids with bone crunching tackles. As a tap ruckmen he was probably 3rd behind Warnock and Hampson last season, and as a marking option he was well behind Hendo and Rowe.
The only ~200cm tall /ruck we have that manages to clunks marks from just about any scenario is Rowe. Rowe is a great defensive mark as well.
Casboult has great hands launching from behind or when he is clear on the lead, but put him at the front of the pack or in a body on body and he turns to butter. His fitness is reported to be way up this pre-season, lets hope his aggression goes up as well.
Kreuzer is not a bad pack mark but he isn;t a good one either, in any case with his injury history do we really want to risk losing him around the ground just to get a pack park?
Wood will provide a good forward marking option if he can get himself fit, but I see him as a distant option assuming Waite, Hendo and Walker are fit.
I suspect the smoky in the pack around the ground this season is going to be Watson. My source says he has dropped kilos, improved endurance and strength for the triple crown. He is the size to do the job, he will not be so timid this coming season if he continues his improvement from last season.