Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Clark: Ruck or Forward


rpfc

Clark: Ruck or Forward  

188 members have voted

You do not have permission to vote in this poll, or see the poll results. Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.


Recommended Posts

I would be keen to get the thoughts of Landers over what we have invested in.

The last questions surrounds that investment as I have my concerns over those who say that Clark is a back-up ruck/forward - I don't think that position requires such a massive investment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not about the massive investment RPFC, it's about getting stability in our structure, and looking at what are our current strengths/weaknesses.

Our ruck division, made up of (in order) 1. Jamar 2. Martin 3. Gawn is healthy. Healthy doesn't mean elite, healthy means bloody healthy! When we need everyhing to be "elite", which will be 2013-onwards, I have no doubt our ruck stocks will achieve that level (we're not that bloody far from it!).

Our forward line structure is the most important "work in progress" for 2012. We start getting it right, we start winning more games than we lose. Clark is a massive + in this area.

Maybe we invest in a quality mid at the end of 2012, maybe we don't. A lot will be determined by what players step up next season. Imagine if Sylvia has the consistency we are crying out for, and if Trengove takes another step forward, and if Jones establishes himself as a true top 5 at the club. All of a sudden, we may not need to spend big on a quality mid - they may already be on our list.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Definate key forward with Martin to CHB. River too small to take the position and decision making / kicking is rubbish. Martin is athletic and powerful and would be well suited to defence. The extra big body we need to help out chip. Rivers is not key position.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If he's a ruck then we've wasted our time and resources. He's a forward, that's what he says he is, that's what Harrington and Neeld say he is, and that's what we need him to be. He can double as insurance if Martin or Jamar go down mid match, but that's just a fringe benefit and not his primary role. No Jamar/Martin injury = 0 minutes ruck time for Clark.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We still need a quality mid or two. Clearly the weakest area of our current structure and I can't see us progressing too much further in 2012 as a result.

However adding viney next year and two first rounders (maybe one or both as an experienced mid) and all of a sudden all of the pieces of the puzzle finally come together..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think you can have it both ways - either Martin is a back up ruck and a sometimes forward and Clark is a permanent forward, or Clark is a back up ruck and a sometimes forward and Martin is a permanent fwd/back.

You have to have a permanent tall forward in there.

I vote Clark.

I also say he shouldn't ruck.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Definate key forward with Martin to CHB. River too small to take the position and decision making / kicking is rubbish. Martin is athletic and powerful and would be well suited to defence. The extra big body we need to help out chip. Rivers is not key position.

If he's a ruck then we've wasted our time and resources. He's a forward, that's what he says he is, that's what Harrington and Neeld say he is, and that's what we need him to be. He can double as insurance if Martin or Jamar go down mid match, but that's just a fringe benefit and not his primary role. No Jamar/Martin injury = 0 minutes ruck time for Clark.

I've always wondered why we don't introduce a strategy similar to this;

A forward ruck (perhaps Gawn) to ruck only when the ball is inside F50

A "middle"/main ruck (Jamar) to ruck at centre bounces and around the wings/in the guts

A back ruck (perhaps Martin) to ruck in D50

How fresh would that keep Jamar - especially late in the third/all of the last quarter when the opposition rucks are flat on their feet.

The parts about how it would work when the opposition ruck goes to a ruck contest outside of where Jamar goes, that's to be worked on...!!!

Edited by billy2803
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seems to me we will have one of the best, if not the best, ruck combo using this strategy billy. I really do believe we will also have a gun forward line and backline. The only issue, as many others have stated is our midfield which lacks a motor, teamwork and mungrel (all of which I hope can come in time with this young group and our draft selections in next years draft).

Link to comment
Share on other sites


We currently have 4 ruckman, Jamar, Martin, Gawn & Spencer.We have now 4 key developing forwards- Clark, Cook, Watts & Fitzpatrick.We have 4 Key defenders- Frawley, Rivers, T.McDonald , Davis. Whilst some may say Davis is a tad small-it shows me that we need to invest in another tall backman as well as midfielders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've always wondered why we don't introduce a strategy similar to this;

A forward ruck (perhaps Gawn) to ruck only when the ball is inside F50

A "middle"/main ruck (Jamar) to ruck at centre bounces and around the wings/in the guts

A back ruck (perhaps Martin) to ruck in D50

How fresh would that keep Jamar - especially late in the third/all of the last quarter when the opposition rucks are flat on their feet.

The parts about how it would work when the opposition ruck goes to a ruck contest outside of where Jamar goes, that's to be worked on...!!!

We used to have the Ox in the forward line. Damn good forward 50 throw in ruckman.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bit of a no brainer this one in all honesty. Mitch was snitched to fulfill a Key forward role. Simple

Its quite possible at times depending on th egame that he might bring his very good rucking talents to bear as a relieiving ruckman or simply as he might be first on the scen in the forward line etc. . He facilitates Jamar to rest in the square if thats the want of the FD. Granted Marti could also but Martins not as much a real kepf as Clark.

What is does do is give us one hell of a lot of options we didnt have before. Money well spent :)

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we paid top doallar for him becasue he is the right age, right body size, and can play forward.

Unfortunatley an out and out KPF wasnt available, so we recruited a versitle KPP who can play forward on in the ruck.

If J. Brown hadnt been injured as much as he has been in the last few seasons then im not sure clark would have been played as much as a forward?

But then again, speculating is a waste of time, becasue at the Dee's we will play him as a full forward IMO

Edited by DemonWA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We currently have 4 ruckman, Jamar, Martin, Gawn & Spencer.We have now 4 key developing forwards- Clark, Cook, Watts & Fitzpatrick.We have 4 Key defenders- Frawley, Rivers, T.McDonald , Davis. Whilst some may say Davis is a tad small-it shows me that we need to invest in another tall backman as well as midfielders.

personally i would be putting Garland ahead of T Mcdonald and Davis

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No doubt he's a fair lump of a lad but I can't help but think he needs to put on another 6 - 8 kilo's of muscle to be a real key forward, to have the mass which oppostion backmen find it difficult to move in a contest.

Am I on my own here?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be [censored] if we spent that much money to get someone who is going to play second ruck- a department we have a more than capable Stef Martin occupying currently.

He must play FF. End of story. This is the department we have lacked, and the department he will fix.

Now I guess we get to keep Martin/Jamar in the forward arc more often whilst the other does all the rucking around ground. Fun times ahead

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Jamar in the ruck.

Martin as 2nd ruck and to spend time either forward or back depending on match ups. Forward preferable to stretch the opposition defence.

Clark FF.

To easy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The clear intention of obtaining Mitch was for him to play a key position in the forward 50. And in 2011 Stef Martin was pretty reliable at the set shots. And he did very well in the ruck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He plays forward. He only kicked 27 goals this year, but that was as the 2nd ruckman also. He could quite easily kick 50+ for us next year. Calculation below:

Mitch kicked 27 goals in 17 games. If he played 22 games, at this average he would've kicked 35 goals.

Now Mitch played 2nd ruck as well as forward, so lets assume that Mitch spent 70% of his game time forward, and 30% in the ruck. If he'd spent 100% of this time forward, at the average he had based on time forward he then kicks 50 goals.

Add another 10-20% from playing in the one position, and playing in a better team, and he kicks 55-60 goals. I think we'd all be happy with a return like that from Mitch, wouldn't we?

We're more than capable in the ruck, this sort of return from Clark doesn't seem ridiculous if he stays fit, and plays forward for the entirety of matches... Will make a big difference for us...

Edited by vanlo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surprised to see the investment question not weighted more towards the key ruck question. I'd pay 700k and pick 12 for any of the top ruckmen going round. Sandi, Leuie, Cox, Goldie, Mummy... even some of the better younger ones like Smith could ask that much I reckon as pure ruckmen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like most have already stated, key forward.

Given Neeld has said he will be key forward, and a few members of the heirarchy have said he will be key forward - even Mitch Clark himself - has said he had been head hunted for the Key Post.........I think that pretty much confirms it rp.

Being 200cm - any rucking duties will be a fringe benefit for the team and club.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...