Where is our next ruckman going to come from?

[DeeZee 7,445]

It was a joke deeZee

Read as I Hope he is not Gone.

Using Gawn as a play on words

Sorry mate

[old dee 23,872]

Sorry mate

No problem obviously I was being a little too clever

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

Why would you waste Clark in the ruck after seeing him in the fwd 50 last year, Spencer is still growing into the role, Gawn needs to get games under his belt, and Fitzy has had chronic fatigue, diabetes and is still growing but he is more than able to start competing in the ruck, Neelds says so....and then we have Jamar, Pedersen, Sellar......why are we already looking at changing????? some posters astound me

What is Spencer growing into. He's had plenty of time to develop his body and it hasn't helped him. He's probably the least talented bloke to ever play AFL football in the history of the game.

Gawn certainly needs games at Casey and at AFL level but injuries are a major issue. Same with Fitzpatrick, he needs time but he doesn't look like a natural AFL level talent.

Pedersen and Sellar are only even back ups.

The reason we'd change Clark is that he nearly was AA playing in the ruck. He's very skilled and fit. He enjoys the position. And as mentioned we could have 2 very decent replacements in the forward 50 in Dawes and Hogan.

Now I think in a couple of years Gawn is hopefully a very good first ruck, Clark can be the guy to give him a chop out during quarters and Dawes and Hogan make a potent forward line with Clark. But I don't see how the thought of Clark being a full time ruckman can astound anyone.

[old dee 23,872]

What is Spencer growing into. He's had plenty of time to develop his body and it hasn't helped him. He's probably the least talented bloke to ever play AFL football in the history of the game.

Gawn certainly needs games at Casey and at AFL level but injuries are a major issue. Same with Fitzpatrick, he needs time but he doesn't look like a natural AFL level talent.

Pedersen and Sellar are only even back ups.

The reason we'd change Clark is that he nearly was AA playing in the ruck. He's very skilled and fit. He enjoys the position. And as mentioned we could have 2 very decent replacements in the forward 50 in Dawes and Hogan.

Now I think in a couple of years Gawn is hopefully a very good first ruck, Clark can be the guy to give him a chop out during quarters and Dawes and Hogan make a potent forward line with Clark. But I don't see how the thought of Clark being a full time ruckman can astound anyone.

You have seen them all have you tM?

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

You have seen them all have you tM?

Of course not but how about least talented player to get 6 years on an AFL list in the last 20 years if not ever.

[Little Goffy 14,645]

I'm pretty confident about Gawn, as far as he looks like one of the more promising very young, completely unpredictable ruck talents in the competition.

That said, it's a bit much to bank everything on him. I don't see Spencer (not really AFL standard it seems) or Fitzpatrick (not really a ruckman) being a suitable full-time ruck.

Pederson is not a full-time ruck, and I think Clark is marked in as a forward primarily, for at least the next few years. There is the future option of Clark returning to ruck upon the retirement of Jamar, by which time we will have more developed other forward targets.

All that said, with Daniher added and Bellchambers appearing to be set for number 1 ruck long term at Essendon, would Ryder be interested in a number 1 ruck spot? With plenty of support roles but definitely set in a primary position? At 25, he'd fill a need nicely.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Hannath is more valuable now that Sandy has gone down. Sandilands is on the wrong side of 30 yrs now and Freo must be concerned with his string of injuries.

I wonder if the ringmaster could see a role @ GWS for a 7 FooT Giant???

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

[Little Richard 6,265]

Hannath when he comes home!

But in reality if Gawn can't shake the injuries there ain't a lot going on... unless Fitzy comes good.

[CBDees 3,167]

We might also try and get Hannath back from Freo if they go after Buddy and need cap room, given they have the Giant, Clarke, Griffen, Bradley a Rookie and others.

Hannath sounds a good deal if he is keen. He knows our list from training with us before Freo swooped (to pay us back for Mitch Clark) and the reports coming out of Freo suggest that they are happy with his progression.

[monoccular 17,575]

If the poor guy can get over his injuries, Gawnius Maximus could well overtake Jamar by year's end.

Spencer is........a trier

Fitzy - needs to show something serious early in the year, as a ruckman since presuming Clark recovers fully, he, Dawes and Hogan with maybe Pedersen as back up will surely monopolize the tall forward positions that Fitzy was perhaps being groomed for.

Pedersen may get by as a fill in but hasn't excited me (as a forward or as a ruckman).

[monoccular 17,575]

Of course not but how about least talented player to get 6 years on an AFL list in the last 20 years if not ever.

Newton?

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

Newton?

newton had spencer covered by miles. Actually could kick the ball and moved ok as well. Remember mark of the year. Bloke was just too flaky for the afl.

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

We should be chasing zac clark from freo come end of year.

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

We should be chasing zac clark from freo come end of year.

I'm not convinced. There is a lot of Fitzpatrick about him as he's got the speed but does he have the size and strength to make it. He's a guy I'd like on my list but not be overly keen on paying up for him.

As said previously we just need to watch Gawn especially for the year and see how he goes.

[Gippsland Dee 367]

If gawn can shake his injuries off then i'd say he will be our next no.1 ruck. Even though he has only played a handful (4?) of games i think he has shown enough that he, if he can shake the injuries will become an above average ruck. The vision of him against freo with his multiple efforts really stick in my mind.

[jnrmac 20,189]

It was a joke deeZee

Read as I Hope he is not Gone.

Using Gawn as a play on words

There never funny the second time when you have to explain it!

[old dee 23,872]

There never funny the second time when you have to explain it!

Correct Jnr but when you are cast as a Gawn hater you have to say something in defence.

[alias275 259]

He's a big boy and all the tall timbers have troubles with their joints. It's all based on excessive spurts of the human growth hormone and abnormalities it brings to the rest of the body. I remember watching some documentary on all the NBA centres who have troubled knees all due to their excessive heights.

But just like in the video a few posts before. Gawn has strengthen his body since then and yes if he can get his knees right, I think there will be no problem at all having Gawn as our number ruckman for plenty of years to come. He is by far the most talented ruckman on the list. The guy can play.

I am the first to always says injuries are not an excuse. Your either AFL fit or you're not. But this last injury really needs to be his last for a while, otherwise we certainly need a back up asap.

For me, Fitzy is just too soft. Clark has the hardness like Jamar, but we cannot rely on him. He still needs to remain our KPF until we see how Dawes reacts to his 2012 form.

Spencer will never be AFL material. By god he tries hard and has a good sprint on him for a big bloke. But he's just all over the plot.

[old dee 23,872]

He's a big boy and all the tall timbers have troubles with their joints. It's all based on excessive spurts of the human growth hormone and abnormalities it brings to the rest of the body. I remember watching some documentary on all the NBA centres who have troubled knees all due to their excessive heights.

But just like in the video a few posts before. Gawn has strengthen his body since then and yes if he can get his knees right, I think there will be no problem at all having Gawn as our number ruckman for plenty of years to come. He is by far the most talented ruckman on the list. The guy can play.

I am the first to always says injuries are not an excuse. Your either AFL fit or you're not. But this last injury really needs to be his last for a while, otherwise we certainly need a back up asap.

For me, Fitzy is just too soft. Clark has the hardness like Jamar, but we cannot rely on him. He still needs to remain our KPF until we see how Dawes reacts to his 2012 form.

Spencer will never be AFL material. By god he tries hard and has a good sprint on him for a big bloke. But he's just all over the plot.

Those same words were written about Jamar for a long time by many alias

[rpfc 28,779]

We have got one till 2016 so Spencer and Gawn have time, and if they are not up to it - we have time.

Just stop drafting ruckmans uner the age of 21 - it is a waste of everyone's time.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I think the Hannath ship sailed the moment freo drafted him which is unfortunate.

A lot is resting on Gawn's huge body holding up. After being so keen on Hannath, it shows Neeld is still very keen to get another ruck in, so I would expect to see one come in through one of the drafts later this year, and not an 18 year old bean pole which is good.

[Pennant St Dee 13,305]

Jolly, Jacobs, Mumford & Maric show you they are out there as second fiddle in other sides. If none of our youngsters come on as ruckman we can chase another.