http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/live-afl-updates-20100306-ppcb.html

* At North Ballarat, Jon Pierik reports that Hawthorn's dismal loss was further soured by the news that ruckman Simon Taylor was stretchered off early in the second term after suffering what appears to be a serious ankle injury. He is being x-rayed at a local hospital. And Brad Sewell is also a concern with a shoulder injury.

Hawthorn's ruck stocks will be sorely tested if the injury keeps Taylor out for a prolonged period - they lost Robert Campbell at the end of last season, and fellow ruck prospect Max Bailey is already out for the season with a knee injury. Brent Renouf, in his first game of pre-season, is now rucking alone.

Keep Jamar sound & ruck Spencer Next week with Martin & Fitzpartick.

Add, Aaron Davey, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Cameron Bruce, Jamie Bennell, Austin Wonaeamirri, to the Squad & Hey, it's looking a little better.

Geez, both teams are going to have a few players unavailable for R1. Jamar just might dominate in the middle if Renouf is their only option. If Sewell goes down and misses this match, their midfield is starting to look beatable with no recognised ruckman, Burgouyne, Bateman and possibly Sewell, not to mention no Buddy up forward ( I think I`m missing some other players also??). With some renewed confidence after todays performance, we just might give them a shake.

Not sure if I`d be resting Jamar for next week. He needs match fitness. Maybe just play a half though and go hammer n tong??

No Jamar? Hmm. Tempting to play him with Nicnat there though isn't it?

Knowing our luck he'll do a knee, roll an ankle, or his head'll explode or something...

No Jamar? Hmm. Tempting to play him with Nicnat there though isn't it?

Knowing our luck he'll do a knee, roll an ankle, or his head'll explode or something...

Well, if luck plays a part, it's worthwhile remembering that next Saturday is the very unlucky 13th!

However, I don't see that rest is in store for Mark Jamar. He simply needs the hard work if he's to lead our ruck division and therefore, assuming he's healthy he will play next week. I say this because I believe that the club is building up his game time rather than tapering off after he missed a fair bit of work in the pre season. Don't forget that the week after next is a rest week (although in special circumstances, he could play for Casey in its practice match that weekend).

I listened to that appalling excuse for radio commentary on 5AA yesterday and it seemed to me that Jamar wasn't on much in the second half but I can't say for sure because the "commentators" didn't seem to know most of the Melbourne players.

If anyone was at the ground, could they confirm this?

I think you may be right there WJ. The young Crows rucks came into the game a bit more when Jamar was rotated off.

And I reckon you're right about not resting Mark. I've never been for resting mature players. I get not playing a 32+ year old, especially one with an injury cloud, but when what the players need is game time, playing them is the right course. Bell and LJ were very unfortunate, but what would be worse would be to go softly softly with guys you want to play like men.