The Big Russian

[Pipefitter 2,159]

He was unbelievable today and has been in AA form this year. Its a bit of a reminder not to jump on ruckmen's back too fast. With the exception of athletic types such as Jeff white, Kruezer etc, most don't hit their straps till the age of 25-26. Before we start jumping on Spencer and inevitably Gawns back about early career form, think about how long it takes the typical crash and bash ruckman to reach their peak. What was great was his hit outs to advantage. Himself and Mcdonald were sublime today.

[Salems Lot 2,493]

totally agree, I have a vision of Russian and Gawn revolving through Full Forward and Watts feeding off from CHF. We are going to be exceptional!!

[Guest watts04]

He looks good up forward and id like to see Gawn in the second half of this year

Russian is dominating but we are risking injury by not having two atm...

Well done Jamar and no doubt will have a new contract soon

[deeflog 679]

sign him up tomorrow MFC!!!

[The Chazz 4,077]

As they said on the Fox coverage today, by playing 1 designated ruck rather than 2, it means we have 1 extra running-type in our team. If we play 2, it means a runner will have to sit out.

Thought Dunn did really well as a back-up. Obviously not a great alternative, but while it's working it's hard to state a case to fix it.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,043]

Next week will be a different story. Brisbane have two very good rucks in the side, and Jamar will be run off his feet if he tries to go toe-to-toe with them both. Good chance that Martin or Spencer will be recalled to rotate with him.

[demoniac 1,333]

As a long term believer in Jamar's ability in the ruck and around the ground it is good to see him finally turning potential into performance.

If we play a Second Ruckman Martin is the obvious option playing as a tall forward who can go into the ruck to give Jamar a rest. My read is that Martin is being played at FF at Casey to develop his forward skills and will come into the team in the role of tall forward/relieving ruck. Spencer has undoubted potential but needs time to develop and does not yet really offer enough flexibilty to play as second ruckman given he is not very effective up forward at this stage of his career.

For mine while I can see the advantages of having an extra utility in Dunn pinch hitting in the ruck and the flexibilty that provides I don't think it is sustainable to play without a tall forward and Martin offers the flexibilty of being able to play as a tall forward but also pinch hit in the ruck more effectively.

Edited April 18, 2010 by demoniac

[stueyspencer no12 73]

He was unbelievable today and has been in AA form this year. Its a bit of a reminder not to jump on ruckmen's back too fast. With the exception of athletic types such as Jeff white, Kruezer etc, most dont hit their straps till the age of 25-26. Before we start jumping on Spencer and inevitably Gawns back about early career form, think about how long it takes the typical crash and bash ruckman to reach their peak. What was great was his hit outs to advantage. Himself and Mcdonald were sublime today.

You are absolutely correct. I was gutted he didn't get a vote on the ABC today. He did get votes from the ABC for his game v Collingwood, in which the opposition was much stronger. I had the privilege of watching that game with an ex MFC champion [5 premierships] who told us that Jamar's game v Collingwood reminded him of some of the palming of Polly Farmer-high praise indeed.

[2014-Flag 0]

totally agree, I have a vision of Russian and Gawn revolving through Full Forward and Watts feeding off from CHF. We are going to be exceptional!!

Agree. What we lack now are quality talls up forward, but gee the quality coming through is really exciting

[RalphiusMaximus 6,043]

Once again his hitout total was more than the other team. Love seeing that.

Incidentally, should we be frightened by the fact that Sandilands is already 20 HO ahead?

Edited April 18, 2010 by RalphiusMaximus

[Vipercrunch 2,827]

I've heard many times in the last few weeks that Melbourne made a choice between Jamar and Jolley. Is that how it happened? My recollection was that Jolley wanted to leave because felt he was ready to be number 1 ruckman and knew he would stay number 2 at Melbourne behind Jeff White for several years.

Can anyone enlighten me on what really happened?

[H_T 3,043]

I've heard many times in the last few weeks that Melbourne made a choice between Jamar and Jolley. Is that how it happened? My recollection was that Jolley wanted to leave because felt he was ready to be number 1 ruckman and knew he would stay number 2 at Melbourne behind Jeff White for several years.

Can anyone enlighten me on what really happened?

I don't think it was because of Melbourne making a choice between the two. Jolly knew he wanted more game time and White was the first choice. Sydney were in need of a ruckman and Jolly wanted to flourish with guaranteed game time. Sydney under Roos would have provided that as long as he continued to improve; Sydney fit the bill. It worked in his favour. Jamar, whilst young at the time was well behind in development, despite a few games of experience.

[jayceebee31 759]

I don't think it was because of Melbourne making a choice between the two. Jolly knew he wanted more game time and White was the first choice. Sydney were in need of a ruckman and Jolly wanted to flourish with guaranteed game time. Sydney under Roos would have provided that as long as he continued to improve; Sydney fit the bill. It worked in his favour. Jamar, whilst young at the time was well behind in development, despite a few games of experience.

Totally correct- your summation is spot on.However, Jamar seems to have gone to a different level(a grade this year)and oozes confidence

Edited April 19, 2010 by jayceebee31

[Vipercrunch 2,827]

Thats the way I remeber it also. The sources I have heard saying it was a choice Melbourne made was from journo's.

The first was the country radio coverage of the Melb vs Coll game when Sandy Roberts asked the very leading question early in the game about whether Melbourne regretted their decsicion to keep Jamar instead of Jolley. He was obviously insinuating that we had made a huge mistake. Whether or not he re-addressed the issue later in the game after Jamar totally dominated the ruck is doubtful.

The other was at the start of the Gerald Healy article in the HUN recently. The gist of the article was the Jamar should count himself extremely lucky to still be listed.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Thats the way I remeber it also. The sources I have heard saying it was a choice Melbourne made was from journo's.

The first was the country radio coverage of the Melb vs Coll game when Sandy Roberts asked the very leading question early in the game about whether Melbourne regretted their decsicion to keep Jamar instead of Jolley. He was obviously insinuating that we had made a huge mistake. Whether or not he re-addressed the issue later in the game after Jamar totally dominated the ruck is doubtful.

The other was at the start of the Gerald Healy article in the HUN recently. The gist of the article was the Jamar should count himself extremely lucky to still be listed.

Jolley was playing second ruck behind White and was injured when he took a mark and was tackled by Darcy, the umpire signaled play on, Jolley didn't realise he had. When he came back after injury they continued to play Jamar and in fact he was selected ahead of Jolley in the finals, I guess everyone was a bit surprised about that. Jolley left at the end of the year as it seemed he had slipped behind Jamar as even the second choice. There were obviously other issues as stated above but that seems to be how it happened on the surface.

Jamar started to show some potential last year but he had been pretty ordinary for a few seasons and quite a few wondered why the club let Jolley go, I guess we now know.

[Suzanna 72]

OK ok, I will display my ignorance here - why is Jamar called the Russian?

[Adzman 2,154]

Because he looks Russian...........

Rush has been outstanding. Another few solid games and he will have earned himself a 2-3 year deal.

Rather extend him during the season than at the seasons end.

[kieranbj 111]

OK ok, I will display my ignorance here - why is Jamar called the Russian?

I think it was a nickname given to him by Graeme Yeats when he was coaching Sandy.

Apparently Jamar looks like a footballer that was nicknamed Russian and it just stuck.

[dee-luded 2,959]

OK ok, I will display my ignorance here - why is Jamar called the Russian?

He's got Russion hands & dutch fingers, alegedly.

[the_russian 17]

I think it was a nickname given to him by Graeme Yeats when he was coaching Sandy.

Apparently Jamar looks like a footballer that was nicknamed Russian and it just stuck.

Alex Ischenko - ex north, brisbane and eagles player

[DCMann 1]

OK ok, I will display my ignorance here - why is Jamar called the Russian?

Jamar is called the Russian because back when Daniher was coaching, Jamar used to tip his hair blond and when he came into training one day Daniher thought he looked like Drago from Rocky 4 and said "Here comes The Russian". I'd take that!

[Six6Six 1,507]

[daisycutter 29,606]

agree

[45HG 1,539]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[dazzledavey36 54,577]

hit the nail on the head