Matthew Leuenberger...

[spirit of norm smith 16,650]

Leuenberger would be a perfect fit for the emerging Demons.

Worth keeping in mind.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,602]

Time for my first post (rucking's close to my heart). Thought at the time this from PR on 14/4 didn't bode well for Maxy and the Pencil but it also informs discussion about the Loo:

COACH Paul Roos says figuring out what type of player should fill the second ruck position is now a challenge for most teams in the competition.

Roos said versatile tall Sam Frost had performed the second ruck role admirably for Melbourne so far, but it was a difficult position to manage.

“Probably the challenging position for most clubs is that second ruck position,” he said.

“Unless you’ve got that Paddy Ryder type, who is a natural forward/ruckman – most teams struggled to find that guy.

“The Giants on the weekend had [Adam] Tomlinson doing it and [Cam] McCarthy, and [Kurt] Tippett is doing a bit more for the Swans now. Geelong went with three talls on the weekend – Rhys [stanley], [Dawson] Simpson and Mitch [Clark].

“Even the better teams are struggling to find that extra player, but we’re pretty happy with the way Frosty’s been doing it.”

Be kind.

T

[Ted Lasso 19,564]

For sure, he's a quality ruckman, clearly an area we need to improve.

If he didn't cost us much is jump at it.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,602]

Sorry. Relearning my computer 'skills'. This is the way to do it I think:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-04-13/ruckin-role-a-challenge-roos

T

[DeeSpencer 26,446]

Time for my first post (rucking's close to my heart). Thought at the time this from PR on 14/4 didn't bode well for Maxy and the Pencil but it also informs discussion about the Loo:

COACH Paul Roos says figuring out what type of player should fill the second ruck position is now a challenge for most teams in the competition.

Roos said versatile tall Sam Frost had performed the second ruck role admirably for Melbourne so far, but it was a difficult position to manage.

“Probably the challenging position for most clubs is that second ruck position,” he said.

“Unless you’ve got that Paddy Ryder type, who is a natural forward/ruckman – most teams struggled to find that guy.

“The Giants on the weekend had [Adam] Tomlinson doing it and [Cam] McCarthy, and [Kurt] Tippett is doing a bit more for the Swans now. Geelong went with three talls on the weekend – Rhys [stanley], [Dawson] Simpson and Mitch [Clark].

“Even the better teams are struggling to find that extra player, but we’re pretty happy with the way Frosty’s been doing it.”

Be kind.

T

Good first post.

Yeah unless you have 2 rucks who are very good forward the 2nd ruck spot is hard. And even if you do then one has to play forward more than the other and often that creates a problem in terms of them getting in to games. Hale at Hawthorn is declining now but he was perfect at playing forward most of the game but lifting in the ruck when required. We chased him hard but the Hawks got him ahead of us. Then we had Clark and he didn't stay fit enough for long enough to take that role. Pedersen did ok last year. Frost is having a go. Gawn in full form could well play forward and ruck but more as a 50/50 guy than as predominant forward.

However that's all secondary to the Leueny situation. Gawn and Spencer both have doubts on their ability to take the number 1 mantle. Mainly because they just haven't had long enough to test yet, but also because Jamar still beats them at training. Maybe we can try to squeeze another year out of Jamar and keep evaluating those 2, but really I think it's better to go looking for another guy at the end of this year to take the number 1 spot.

[whatwhat say what 23,588]

Would not be the worst free agency acquisition, as long as we don't overpay.

[Ron Burgundy 8,588]

We absolutely need to go hard to get him.

Stef Martin too.

[beelzebub 23,390]

Good mids trump a 2nd ruck

Get the midfield humming and happening then treat yourself to some icing.

Any money in the kitty goes to getting the Shiels of this world.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

Steph will be in his ear telling Leuey what a pack of lunch cutters we are.

Edited April 17, 2015 by Moonshadow

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Time for my first post (rucking's close to my heart). Thought at the time this from PR on 14/4 didn't bode well for Maxy and the Pencil but it also informs discussion about the Loo:

COACH Paul Roos says figuring out what type of player should fill the second ruck position is now a challenge for most teams in the competition.

Roos said versatile tall Sam Frost had performed the second ruck role admirably for Melbourne so far, but it was a difficult position to manage.

“Probably the challenging position for most clubs is that second ruck position,” he said.

“Unless you’ve got that Paddy Ryder type, who is a natural forward/ruckman – most teams struggled to find that guy.

“The Giants on the weekend had [Adam] Tomlinson doing it and [Cam] McCarthy, and [Kurt] Tippett is doing a bit more for the Swans now. Geelong went with three talls on the weekend – Rhys [stanley], [Dawson] Simpson and Mitch [Clark].

“Even the better teams are struggling to find that extra player, but we’re pretty happy with the way Frosty’s been doing it.”

Be kind.

T

can you ruck for us?

[rjay 25,315]

Good mids trump a 2nd ruck

Get the midfield humming and happening then treat yourself to some icing.

Any money in the kitty goes to getting the Shiels of this world.

We're not talking about a 2nd ruck here 'BB'.

We need a good number 1 ruck who can not only win the taps but play as the 4th mid and get his own ball around the ground, take marks as the let out kick and kick a few goals when he goes forward. We don't have this type of player and someone like Leuenberger fits the bill.

Still think we also need to go hard at another mid like Shiel.

[M C 221]

Berger is a free agent so he wouldn't hinder our ability to go after young mids at all - Assuming we have the cap space

[monoccular 17,680]

I haven't been following the Lions much.

Has he been omitted or is he again injured?

If the former is the case is it because he won't negotiate? Maybe we should play hardball with Howe especially is he puts in another questionable performance? Could have with Frawley last year (had we had any alternatives).

[Redleg 42,007]

doubt it... its still ready to go mids

Good mids can win 'anyones' taps

Did you watch last week's game.? You know who was the GWS match winner?

[M C 221]

I haven't been following the Lions much.

Has he been omitted or is he again injured?

If the former is the case is it because he won't negotiate? Maybe we should play hardball with Howe especially is he puts in another questionable performance? Could have with Frawley last year (had we had any alternatives).

Omitted I think mate

Played a shocker last week so Brisbane might have stopped experimenting with the two ruck combo for now - Doubt it has anything to do with his contract

[Redleg 42,007]

Stef Martin too.

What is his background?

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,525]

Omitted for form I believe.

He's struggling playing second fiddle to Martin. They're both at their best when they're the number one ruck.

[whatwhat say what 23,588]

and that's absolutely why we should be targetting him.

no guarantee that jamar will play beyond 2015, no guarantee that gawn / spencer will push to be #1 ruck.

i think the unfortunate thing with ruckmen these days is that you can only really run one at a time, as a primary ruckman, and the likes of gawn have never had a clear run being 'the man' (so to speak) as when jamar has been injured he's been injured. when spencer got a go at the start of last season he was reasonably okay. not amazing, but okay.

[Yossarian 1,820]

and that's absolutely why we should be targetting him.

no guarantee that jamar will play beyond 2015, no guarantee that gawn / spencer will push to be #1 ruck.

i think the unfortunate thing with ruckmen these days is that you can only really run one at a time, as a primary ruckman, and the likes of gawn have never had a clear run being 'the man' (so to speak) as when jamar has been injured he's been injured. when spencer got a go at the start of last season he was reasonably okay. not amazing, but okay.

Same thing happened with Stef Martin, though he always tore it up in the limited opportunities he had being number one ruck and was one of my favourite players. It was pure luck he got his chance to dominate at Brisbane. Lucky for him anyway, not so much for Leuey.

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

Can only hope Jamar hangs them up at season's end.

What I'd give for a big strong aggressive ruckman that can win more than 5 possessions a game.

Very ordinary pre 2010 and very ordinary after it.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,339]

The challenge with a lot of ruckman is they struggle unless they are the main man that can grind 80%+ of the game out. I suspect Leunberger will be looking for a club that allows him to likely be the main ruckman now and for years to come. My query aside from his previous injury history would be does he fit what Roos and co see as a ruckman in todays game. He is tall and mobile but not big bodied like Jolly, Mumford, Pike. Is he combative enough? Well worth a look if he fits with where we think the game is heading. What we really need is Gawn to realise his size and talent and start putting serious pressure on Jamar.

[dee-luded 2,959]

No way. Kreuzer is more injury prone than Leueny. He's also not as good. Very little physicality and isn't a big man.

I see the potential for Kruz to be a backup ruck, & power forward. he is a big man but he's not tall & skinny like Leueny. especially as rotations will reduce, creating more need for strong marking forwards.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

What we really need is Gawn to realise his size and talent and start putting serious pressure on Jamar.

^^^ this, big time.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Time for my first post (rucking's close to my heart). Thought at the time this from PR on 14/4 didn't bode well for Maxy and the Pencil but it also informs discussion about the Loo:

COACH Paul Roos says figuring out what type of player should fill the second ruck position is now a challenge for most teams in the competition.

Roos said versatile tall Sam Frost had performed the second ruck role admirably for Melbourne so far, but it was a difficult position to manage.

“Probably the challenging position for most clubs is that second ruck position,” he said.

“Unless you’ve got that Paddy Ryder type, who is a natural forward/ruckman – most teams struggled to find that guy.

“The Giants on the weekend had [Adam] Tomlinson doing it and [Cam] McCarthy, and [Kurt] Tippett is doing a bit more for the Swans now. Geelong went with three talls on the weekend – Rhys [stanley], [Dawson] Simpson and Mitch [Clark].

“Even the better teams are struggling to find that extra player, but we’re pretty happy with the way Frosty’s been doing it.”

Be kind.

T

not sure Maxy and the Pencil are biding their time to be that natural 2nd Ruck/Tall Forward. I think they're fighting for 1st ruck opportunities.

but they have to show it out on the park.

[Red N Blue Society 165]

Not a ruck I'd invest in. Doesn't get on the field enough for my liking.