On 05/08/2012 at 12:53, Range Rover said:

A ruckman (even a workhorse tap ruckman) needs to be able to take a mark here and there.

He doesn't/can't.

Took 5 today.

  On 05/08/2012 at 12:59, RobbieF said:

Took 5 today.

Contested grabs more specifically. If he took a few of those today I must have missed them.

  On 05/08/2012 at 12:53, Range Rover said:

A ruckman (even a workhorse tap ruckman) needs to be able to take a mark here and there.

He doesn't/can't.

He has no idea really, rarely seen anyone so lost on a footy field (Spencer).

I thought Spencer's efforts have been fantastic since his elevation to the senior team. Chases & sheperds. Really tries his guts out!

I would prefer to keep Spencer, Gawn and recruit Grundy (Will be a STAR). Martin the other ruck option.

Jamar has only had one good season at the Dee's in 10 years and thought he could be traded for a player or pick. I like his loyalty but I dont rate him too highly. Has signed for 3 years. So I hope he proves me wrong.

Pick 4 & Jamar would snag us Jack Martin U/17 from GWS for sure.

gives everything - no complaints from me.

It seems that his team mates appreciate Spence.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/143652/default.aspx

According to Jones, Spencer's role was critical.

"He's 200cm and 100kg; he really throws his weight around," Jones said.

"He has not played many games. [He's] pretty inexperienced, but the effort and competitiveness he puts in at the centre bounces is what we're after."

It set a standard for pressure that his teammates followed.

  On 05/08/2012 at 21:31, RobbieF said:

It seems that his team mates appreciate Spence.

http://www.melbourne...52/default.aspx

According to Jones, Spencer's role was critical.

"He's 200cm and 100kg; he really throws his weight around," Jones said.

"He has not played many games. [He's] pretty inexperienced, but the effort and competitiveness he puts in at the centre bounces is what we're after."

It set a standard for pressure that his teammates followed.

Just watched the replay and Spencer's first quarter was superb in my view. He took grabs and threw his body around. His tap work is a work in progress but at least he is getting around the ground well. He fatigued pretty quick but It's not as if Jamar has been taking marks all over the ground this year. Sign him up I reckon he can only improve but his problem is if Mitch and Russian are fit it's hard to find a spot on the ground for spencer whilst Russian is rucking.

  On 05/08/2012 at 21:49, cowboy_from_hell said:

Just watched the replay and Spencer's first quarter was superb in my view. He took grabs and threw his body around. His tap work is a work in progress but at least he is getting around the ground well. He fatigued pretty quick but It's not as if Jamar has been taking marks all over the ground this year. Sign him up I reckon he can only improve but his problem is if Mitch and Russian are fit it's hard to find a spot on the ground for spencer whilst Russian is rucking.

Spence might just be coming in to his own when the Russian is about to step down, remember he's only 22 at the moment very young for a ruckman.

Jamar has just turned 29 so he may have another 3 or 4 years ahead of him; he has had a lot of injuries and that calf must be a worry.

Good to see him play out a game with full responsibility for a change. Finally starting to look promising. Time is on his side.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:54, RobbieF said:

Bit like Jolly, when the club couldn't see much value in him either; that worked for us didn't it?

Daniher refused to play Jolls for more than 6 mins a game because he was in love with Jeff white

  On 05/08/2012 at 21:31, RobbieF said:

It seems that his team mates appreciate Spence.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/143652/default.aspx

According to Jones, Spencer's role was critical.

"He's 200cm and 100kg; he really throws his weight around," Jones said.

"He has not played many games. [He's] pretty inexperienced, but the effort and competitiveness he puts in at the centre bounces is what we're after."

It set a standard for pressure that his teammates followed.

Yes, but don't forget RF, they have neither the view nor knowledge of the game, that we here on Demonland have.

Wonder if he has odour of Blue Powerade about him this morning....

I'd love someone to point out anything that Jamar has done this year that Spencer hasn't, other than getting himself injured repeatedly.

Jamar (11th AFL season) - 13 games for ave 8.6 disposals, 2.2 marks, 1.5 tackles & 1 goal for the season

Spencer (5th AFL season) - 5 games for ave 7.2 disposals, 2.2 marks, 3.8 tackles & 1 goal for the season.

Considering Jake has played mainly as a second ruckman, I would suggest he outrates Jamar on all categories per time on ground.

With Jamar a chance to return this week, Jake might be headed back to Casey.

Personally, I can't see much of a difference between outputs when reflecting on Jamar's season before injury.

I hope they persist with Jake and let him play out the year. Maybe bring Jamar back in for Sellar.

  On 06/08/2012 at 04:50, poita said:

I'd love someone to point out anything that Jamar has done this year that Spencer hasn't, other than getting himself injured repeatedly.

Jamar (11th AFL season) - 13 games for ave 8.6 disposals, 2.2 marks, 1.5 tackles & 1 goal for the season

Spencer (5th AFL season) - 5 games for ave 7.2 disposals, 2.2 marks, 3.8 tackles & 1 goal for the season.

Considering Jake has played mainly as a second ruckman, I would suggest he outrates Jamar on all categories per time on ground.

Average HO Per Game???

Thats the most relevant stat.

Spencer is not really a good tap ruckman while that is Jamar strength.

I go on record as to say Jamar would be ahead on average per game

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:32, Nasher said:

Spencer is all heart, is aggressive, and has a crack all the time without exception. That's why I hate that I agree with GSOAG, he's not good enough.

HaHa lets not be rash Nasher, The galloping Gasometer & Clark Keating were 2 of many highly effective Premiership winning Ruckmen who were specialists in BIG games.

When the chips are down in the last game of the Year, Bash & Crash has a BIG Say! And may I say sorts the faint of heart to the back pews.

  On 06/08/2012 at 04:50, poita said:

I'd love someone to point out anything that Jamar has done this year that Spencer hasn't, other than getting himself injured repeatedly.

Jamar (11th AFL season) - 13 games for ave 8.6 disposals, 2.2 marks, 1.5 tackles & 1 goal for the season

Spencer (5th AFL season) - 5 games for ave 7.2 disposals, 2.2 marks, 3.8 tackles & 1 goal for the season.

Considering Jake has played mainly as a second ruckman, I would suggest he outrates Jamar on all categories per time on ground.

If Jamar has another poor year in 2013 from injuries or form, he maybe on the chopping block this time next year.

May not be popular, but I believe one of either Jamar or Stef Martin should be traded, and The Russian probably has more currency ATM then he would in 12 mths time.

  On 05/08/2012 at 21:31, RobbieF said:

It seems that his team mates appreciate Spence.

http://www.melbourne...52/default.aspx

According to Jones, Spencer's role was critical.

"He's 200cm and 100kg; he really throws his weight around," Jones said.

"He has not played many games. [He's] pretty inexperienced, but the effort and competitiveness he puts in at the centre bounces is what we're after."

It set a standard for pressure that his teammates followed.

I'm with you RF, Spence has got some makings worth some patience.

And from memory he's 203 or 204 cms tall... good reach for defence or marking or grabbing some little squirt by the collar as he tries to put one past.

Lets not be too hasty with Spence, at least Until we've seen him at top confidence & getting regular games.

He's a keeper for mine. 2 Yr contract.

  On 21/08/2012 at 06:22, Moonshadow said:

If Jamar has another poor year in 2013 from injuries or form, he maybe on the chopping block this time next year.

May not be popular, but I believe one of either Jamar or Stef Martin should be traded, and The Russian probably has more currency ATM then he would in 12 mths time.

russian resigned for 3 years, current leadership group member...will play out his contract or retire before being traded

afterwhich he will probably join the club as part of the fitness staff (has his own pt company)

  On 21/08/2012 at 06:22, Moonshadow said:

If Jamar has another poor year in 2013 from injuries or form, he maybe on the chopping block this time next year.

May not be popular, but I believe one of either Jamar or Stef Martin should be traded, and The Russian probably has more currency ATM then he would in 12 mths time.

Inclined to agree that one must go, although I reckon clubs might place greater value on Stef Martin because he has more upside & scope for improvement. I think if Martin builds his endurance base further he has the potential to be an above average – to high level follower.

We appear to have backed Jamar in as first ruck, meaning we probably won’t get the best value out of him as a player if Jamar is fit. Spencer is doing well as the backup, but has little to no currency and probably lower potential. Gawn has the potential to be the best of the lot, but needs time, development, and a bit of luck on the injury front. Fitzpatrick also can be developed into a forward/ruck option and has shown a bit for Casey.

  On 21/08/2012 at 06:53, ChaserJ said:

Inclined to agree that one must go, although I reckon clubs might place greater value on Stef Martin because he has more upside & scope for improvement. I think if Martin builds his endurance base further he has the potential to be an above average – to high level follower.

We appear to have backed Jamar in as first ruck, meaning we probably won’t get the best value out of him as a player if Jamar is fit. Spencer is doing well as the backup, but has little to no currency and probably lower potential. Gawn has the potential to be the best of the lot, but needs time, development, and a bit of luck on the injury front. Fitzpatrick also can be developed into a forward/ruck option and has shown a bit for Casey.

Agreed.

And I don't see that we need to act on any of our rucks This year. It's Next year I think we'll know more about our ruck personnel.

2013 we can sort through them.

And ontop of that, I'd consider Brodie Grundy in this years Draft as well.

I think we will move on at least one ruck after the 2013 season, so drafting BGrundy this year, could be a beneficial exercise.

Giles absolutely gave him a bath on the weekend. Killed him in the air every single time.

A worse kick of the footy I have never seen.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:52, DEELIRIOUS said:

It pains me to say it but he is the only one on our list who happily shepherds

Good spot.

This is something conspicuously absent from Melbourne players. We thought that it would be emphasised when we hired an ex Pies assistant...

  On 21/08/2012 at 07:24, DeeZee said:

Giles absolutely gave him a bath on the weekend. Killed him in the air every single time.

A worse kick of the footy I have never seen.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/age-footballer-of-the-year-round-21-votes-20120819-24gto.html

MELBOURNE v GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

David Polkinghorne

Toby Greene (Greater Western Sydney) 8

Jeremy Howe (Melbourne) 7

Luke Power (Greater Western Sydney) 7

Jake Spencer (Melbourne) 7

Lynden Dunn (Melbourne) 7

It seems Jake has a twin, or is it his dark side.

Bad Jake