A curious selection (although he's not a selection yet). I'm figuring insurance/depth as we've recruited a bunch of big guys and surely you would put Spencer and Gawn in front of him at this stage.

The suggestion that he can hold down a Key post may mean he ends up being the second ruck, even when Pederson is done? more mobile, Spencer and Gawn will be Jamars Heir if youwill, Hannath maybe Pedersons?

Why do people talk about Spencer as if he's a realistic AFL prospect? What am I missing with this bloke? Absolutely nothing against him personally, I just think he's the most limited footballer I have ever seen play an AFL game.

Given...

Jamar's probably only got a year or two left in him.

Martin's left.

Spencil is a trier but I don't think he'll cut it.

No one is sure how Gawn's knee is going to recover.

I think Hannath is a monty to get a rookie spot.

In an ideal world, him and Gawn would be pretty good ruck duo.

I'm a big fan of getting rucks on the rookie list.

Given...

Jamar's probably only got a year or two left in him.

Martin's left.

Spencil is a trier but I don't think he'll cut it.

No one is sure how Gawn's knee is going to recover.

I think Hannath is a monty to get a rookie spot.

In an ideal world, him and Gawn would be pretty good ruck duo.

Jamar just signed for 3, so i hope he has 3 left....

The suggestion that he can hold down a Key post may mean he ends up being the second ruck, even when Pederson is done? more mobile, Spencer and Gawn will be Jamars Heir if youwill, Hannath maybe Pedersons?

??????

Given...

Jamar's probably only got a year or two left in him.

Martin's left.

Spencil is a trier but I don't think he'll cut it.

No one is sure how Gawn's knee is going to recover.

I think Hannath is a monty to get a rookie spot.

In an ideal world, him and Gawn would be pretty good ruck duo.

All good points - Jamar doesn't offer much around the ground and needs to up the ante.

Gawn looked the goods in his few appearances before injury.

Spencer has yet to convince me though by training reports he sounds as if he is learning a bit about football.

Hannath looks a good investment, as a rookie.

??????

Just saying he may be recruited as a mobile second ruck so not in direct competition with Jamar, Gawn, and Spencer unless injuries derail all 3,

Why do people talk about Spencer as if he's a realistic AFL prospect? What am I missing with this bloke? Absolutely nothing against him personally, I just think he's the most limited footballer I have ever seen play an AFL game.

He has put on a lot of bulk, he has mongrel and his attitude is first class. I agree with you about his footy smarts and skills but the FD must see something about him they like. I guess if you can have a big bloke that competes (which he does) then that is half the battle....

From todays training session.Just a comparison between Jamar and Spencer. He's a lot taller than Jamar and about as tall as Spencer. During ruck drills he was constantly being encouraged by Brian Royal and seem to equip himself well.

We've got rucks and if our number 1 and 2 (jamar and Gawn id say) are fit and pushing each other for selection will be great for us this year but.... if Gawns knee slows his progress, Jamar fades and we are left with Spencil as our only ruck option it wont matter if our midfield comes good we'll be going backwards again.

If we can take Hannath then its a smart move.... Much smarter than taking a skinny, tall kid only to wait 5 years and get a dud.

He also looks a good option as a tall forward/pinch hitter to cover Mitch or Pedo.

Keep feedin' em in from the bottom end, one a year or every 2nd year.

Actually, that's it in a nutshell, in terms of our approach. And the more pressure that is put on Jamar for his spot the better.

Could we not also consider feeding them in from the top as well? Unfortunately, I can see Grundy leading the way at Coll in this regard.

Just hope we end up with one long term, very good ruckman from the current batch (Hannath included if he's rookied)

Why do people talk about Spencer as if he's a realistic AFL prospect? What am I missing with this bloke? Absolutely nothing against him personally, I just think he's the most limited footballer I have ever seen play an AFL game.

He has missed quite a bit due to injuries (in both 2010 and 2011), improved over this year when he came back, wasn't disgraceful when he had to carry first ruck duties, and is being consistently mentioned positively in training reports.

Hard to ask much more of a 23 year old ruck at this stage.

More to the point, we just had a big clean-out, and he's still there, which says something about what the insiders in the FD think of him.

From todays training session.Just a comparison between Jamar and Spencer. He's a lot taller than Jamar and about as tall as Spencer. During ruck drills he was constantly being encouraged by Brian Royal and seem to equip himself well.

He looks a good size, both in height and in the arms.

As someone posted elsewhere, we may look to trade a ruckman next year for a decent pick or maybe a player we need.

I'd say that Fitzpatrick will be primarily developed as a KPF. That leaves 3 injury prone ruckman. Jamar,Spencer and Gawn. Like some I do not see the value in Spencer. He is an athlete, not a footballer.

From todays training session.Just a comparison between Jamar and Spencer. He's a lot taller than Jamar and about as tall as Spencer. During ruck drills he was constantly being encouraged by Brian Royal and seem to equip himself well.

Jamar looks dejected, as if he is thinking: "Geez these guys are good. Will I get a game this year?"

Being the Rookie Draft and with GWS having first pick and not too many rucks, he may end up there.

Jamar looks dejected, as if he is thinking: "Geez these guys are good. Will I get a game this year?"

Despite being the smallest the big Russian was the most dominant of the three. His body positioning was superb. To my eye it looks as if he's slimmed down a bit and seems to have a bit more zip in his legs

Being the Rookie Draft and with GWS having first pick and not too many rucks, he may end up there.

agree. I think Hannath would be good at MFC ...but he may attracts GWS attention too

Spencer and Gawn are still relatively young give them a chance to mature and learn the game a bit more. I like Spencers running ability and that he does chase opponents. Having 4 rucks is not too much, Jamar has had a few minor but repetitive injuries throughout the year, and is getting on. So we need to look at life to beyond Jamar, which hopefully will be a couple of years away still. But you never know in footy.

It will be interesting how some players adapt to the new ruck rule

height and spring will be an advantage over brute strength i would think

IMO Jamar will be at a disadvantage

Being the Rookie Draft and with GWS having first pick and not too many rucks, he may end up there.

I wouldn't be too worried about GWS picking Hannath before we get a chance. They currently have Dean Robertson, a 199cm ruckman from North Ballarat Rebels, on their permission to train list. Seems as though he is their preferred ruckman if they choose to take one in the PSD or RD.

On a side note they look like the worst fitting jumpers since 2009. No chance of breaking a tackle with all that material to hold on to.

Like some I do not see the value in Spencer. He is an athlete, not a footballer.

Spencer isn't an athlete, he's the epitomy of the ten thumbed, lumbering, uncoordinated young tall footballer. That cliche (of Checker Hughes origin?) about giving talls 5 years to demonstrate they couldn't play was written for guys like Spencer. His biggest strength is that he's strong and aggressive; if he can round out the other elements of his game I think he'll be just fine as a first ruck. Being a poor kick won't hurt us greatly so long as he is able to impact the contest both in the air and on the ground, which I think he will be able to.