Welcome to Demonland ... ROBERT CAMPBELL

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Very happy with this pick up, giving up very little for a ready made, experienced ruckman.

[furious d 472]

As already pointed out above it gives the flexibility of Jamar resting as the stay at home forward we want, and Robbie resting most likely across half back due to his defensive experience.

Not that interesting.

If Campbell can rediscover his 2007 form the Russian may be doing a little more than just resting up forward.

I know Jamar has just had an AA year and it's way, way early to make any call on what sort of impact Campbell may make, but, structure wise it could be just what Bails is after.

As someone said earlier, at 28 Robbie is still smack bang in the middle of his prime as a ruckman. If his body is up to it there's no reason he couldn't as good or even better than he was in 07. If he could hold down first ruck, Jamar could be the FF/2nd ruck we're looking for. Jamar was excellent when he pushed forward last year and if he spent most of his time forward would be vastly superior to Hale imo. I think he'd be worth 40-60 goals a year and put a little fear into opposition defences that isn't there now and Watts, Jurrah and the rest would walk a little taller. He could do all the rucking in the forward line so Campbell doesn't have to cover so much ground. We may lose a little in the ruck but we could gain a lot up forward.

Not saying it will happen, or even that I want it to happen, but if RC does come good it could be worth considering.

[Doggo 32]

I like Robbie as a player and had rated him a top class tap ruckman pre-retirement. He is a great backup for Jamar, and is an upgrade on Paul Johnson in terms of rucking and marking ability.

However, i don't think there is room for both he and Jamar in the team unless Jamar is going to spend majority time in the forward line (which i see as doubtful).

Campbell is that #1 ruckman type player, much like Spencer. A specialist ruckman. He's either going to be on the ball or resting on the pine, rather than in the forward pocket. I know he can/has played back, but he would be rated 5th or 6th option for tall defender. Which means that the only way we're going to see him play any footy in 2011 is if Jamar gets injured. Would be nice if he could play as that marking forward-line ruckman, which is what we wanted from Hale, but history shows us that he has not been capable of doing so, and therefore is about as much use as a player as PJ was on the list IMO.

Pretty good insurance, and will replace PJ at Casey well, but don't expect to see him play unless Jamar gets hurt.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

If for no other reason, you'd hope this works just to stick it up Hawthorn

[Akum 2,660]

I just think it's too good for us to be an accident - we get Campbell, Hawks get PJ.

If the Hawks knew their premiership ruckman was fit & ready & rarin' to go, surely they would have taken him before their 5th pick in the rookie draft FGS? Especially with the problems they've had with their rucks since 2008.

[Doggo 32]

We can now rest a ruckmen forward or back. Makes good sense to me (on paper at least)

Except that ruckman don't get a "rest" playing back, unless they are playing as the loose man, which is a role normally played by faster, more agile and skillful running players.

[daisycutter 29,892]

Except that ruckman don't get a "rest" playing back, unless they are playing as the loose man, which is a role normally played by faster, more agile and skillful running players.

Dead right doggo

You can "rest" in the fwd line if you anchor yourself to the goal aquare and provide muscle and a contest

Can't anchor yourself anywhere on the backline, gotta move, move, move

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I like Robbie as a player and had rated him a top class tap ruckman pre-retirement. He is a great backup for Jamar, and is an upgrade on Paul Johnson in terms of rucking and marking ability.

However, i don't think there is room for both he and Jamar in the team unless Jamar is going to spend majority time in the forward line (which i see as doubtful).

Campbell is that #1 ruckman type player, much like Spencer. A specialist ruckman. He's either going to be on the ball or resting on the pine, rather than in the forward pocket. I know he can/has played back, but he would be rated 5th or 6th option for tall defender. Which means that the only way we're going to see him play any footy in 2011 is if Jamar gets injured. Would be nice if he could play as that marking forward-line ruckman, which is what we wanted from Hale, but history shows us that he has not been capable of doing so, and therefore is about as much use as a player as PJ was on the list IMO.

Pretty good insurance, and will replace PJ at Casey well, but don't expect to see him play unless Jamar gets hurt.

Can't see why Jamar and Campbell can't share the ruck/fwd/bench duties as other 2 pronged ruck attacks, if Campbell can stay fit. Jamar more ruck and fwd, and Campbell more ruck and bench.

A fit Campbell is definitely in the 22 and his value is far greater than the 6 foot 6 wingman that was PJ.

[ox_5 163]

Dead right doggo

You can "rest" in the fwd line if you anchor yourself to the goal aquare and provide muscle and a contest

Can't anchor yourself anywhere on the backline, gotta move, move, move

It is still a rest though when compared to being a ruckman. You tell them to float around the back 50 and chop off incoming ball, instead of having to cover the whole ground.

[daisycutter 29,892]

It is still a rest though when compared to being a ruckman. You tell them to float around the back 50 and chop off incoming ball, instead of having to cover the whole ground.

I'll stick with doggo on this one

If I was a fwd and a ruckman rested on me, I know what I'd be doing, run, run, run

And don't tell me he could play a loose man just floating, he's a ruckman FFS

[Sir Why You Little 37,308]

Except that ruckman don't get a "rest" playing back, unless they are playing as the loose man, which is a role normally played by faster, more agile and skillful running players.

Our President made an art form out of playing the resting "sweeper" back in his day, something which i bet Nick Maxwell studied very closely. That is the resting role i could see Robert playing if the body is Fit and able.

[ox_5 163]

I'll stick with doggo on this one

If I was a fwd and a ruckman rested on me, I know what I'd be doing, run, run, run

And don't tell me he could play a loose man just floating, he's a ruckman FFS

What did Dean Cox used to do when resting back? And many others, its actually quite common. It isnt hard for a ruckman to fill the hole in the backline. Stand 30 metres out, and get back to defend the long ball, and just clog space when the ball is 80m out. Quite simple, really.

[Akum 2,660]

Can't see why Jamar and Campbell can't share the ruck/fwd/bench duties as other 2 pronged ruck attacks, if Campbell can stay fit. Jamar more ruck and fwd, and Campbell more ruck and bench.

... and it could well prolong the careers for both of them.

[e25 5]

I'll stick with doggo on this one

If I was a fwd and a ruckman rested on me, I know what I'd be doing, run, run, run

And don't tell me he could play a loose man just floating, he's a ruckman FFS

Contesting in the ruck requires a different fitness to playing as a back or forward.

That's not to say that neither would be working hard when not in the ruck, but relative to ruckwork it would be a rest.

[Jaded No More 68,975]

For all intents and purposes, he was pick 164 or something like that. We honestly have nothing to lose.

If the decision came down to him and PJ, than please give me someone who has proven in the past he can be a premiership ruckman.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

... and it could well prolong the careers for both of them.

Yep, a fit Campbell will strengthen our side considerably and take the heat of the Russian who was an absolute warrior this season. It's a small sacrifice to give up a rookie spot to a player who could offer a lot and and immediately.

[DeezMan 4]

Good get!!! And that late in the draft!!!

At 28, he'll possibly gives us a decent 5 years of service and will be a MASSIVE relief to Jamar!!

We can afford to get some mature guys into our laying group and I believe Robert will be great for the youngsters.

[daisycutter 29,892]

Our President made an art form out of playing the resting "sweeper" back in his day, something which i bet Nick Maxwell studied very closely. That is the resting role i could see Robert playing if the body is Fit and able.

but that wasn't the modern game WYL

with the interchange madness its go go go, think about it

[Sir Why You Little 37,308]

but that wasn't the modern game WYL

with the interchange madness its go go go, think about it

i aqgree DC, it's the Modern Game, and this takes it a step further.

There is one less place on the Bench, but i cannot see the midfielders getting rotated less. The intensity in the middle will keep rising yearly.

So with one less spot on the bench the forwards/defenders/Ruckmen will rotate less.

The Floating Quarterback which is what Jimma was doing to some extent could be a way of resting the big blokes.

How else does the midfield rotate regularly??

[daisycutter 29,892]

Contesting in the ruck requires a different fitness to playing as a back or forward.

That's not to say that neither would be working hard when not in the ruck, but relative to ruckwork it would be a rest.

Of course relative to ruckwork it would be less tiring but not necessarily a rest except when the ball is in the centre or the other end

Don't forget in recent years Rucks have been MOSTLY rested via the bench - not any more

I don't want a tired ruckman roaming around the backline when it makes much more sense to rest him forward where he doesn't have to cover much ground

just another 2c worth

[daisycutter 29,892]

i aqgree DC, it's the Modern Game, and this takes it a step further.

There is one less place on the Bench, but i cannot see the midfielders getting rotated less. The intensity in the middle will keep rising yearly.

So with one less spot on the bench the forwards/defenders/Ruckmen will rotate less.

The Floating Quarterback which is what Jimma was doing to some extent could be a way of resting the big blokes.

How else does the midfield rotate regularly??

Agreed rucks will rotate rarely thru the bench from now on

So where do you "rest" them?

Basically two choices

1. Deep on the forward line

2. Deep on the back line

To me its an easy choice. The forward line is least risk AND easier to have a "rest" because you have more chance to "anchor" yourself. Plus when its your turn to go back in the ruck you are probably more "rested"

[BAMF 4,433]

With the interchange changes maybe a few more teams might like playing 2nd ruck up forward. He could then play as a defender on them. Wouldn't be a definite for each game but could work out well depending on match ups.

[Sir Why You Little 37,308]

Of course relative to ruckwork it would be less tiring but not necessarily a rest except when the ball is in the centre or the other end

Don't forget in recent years Rucks have been MOSTLY rested via the bench - not any more

I don't want a tired ruckman roaming around the backline when it makes much more sense to rest him forward where he doesn't have to cover much ground

just another 2c worth

Forward or back, Ruckmen will now rest on the ground somewhere, i cannot see them taking up resting time of a midfielder, unless it is absolutely necessary. But who knows, the coaching staff would be working long and hard right now on the interchange changes i am sure.

The Days of Max Walker resting in the forward pocket come back to me!!

[daisycutter 29,892]

With the interchange changes maybe a few more teams might like playing 2nd ruck up forward. He could then play as a defender on them. Wouldn't be a definite for each game but could work out well depending on match ups.

granted, that is a valid possibility

[Sir Why You Little 37,308]

Agreed rucks will rotate rarely thru the bench from now on

So where do you "rest" them?

Basically two choices

1. Deep on the forward line

2. Deep on the back line

To me its an easy choice. The forward line is least risk AND easier to have a "rest" because you have more chance to "anchor" yourself. Plus when its your turn to go back in the ruck you are probably more "rested"

I remember Jack Dyer's quote "Big Blokes don't get shorter in the last Quarter" i can see a lot of Big Blokes being sent down the defensive end of the ground to "rest". This rule will bring back some old tactics, which is not a bad thing.

I am actually looking forward to the new rule to see how clubs use it.