I would feel much better if we were to trade in some more capable ruck depth, eg Gorringe from GC. But Maxy is looking like a lock for number one at this stage, as long as he stays fit.

Agree Django.

Whilst Gawn will become our #1 ruck, unless Spencer comes on in leaps and bounds to fill the #2 spot, we still need some more quality ruck coverage.

They were, but the Cats missed their taller options.

The question at selection is going to be...when Hogan comes back can we play Gawn, Spencer, Dawes and Hogan? I don't think so, but who goes out?

What a truly nice dilemma to be faced with though

I wonder how many DL will fess up?

Delighted Gawn and Spencer had excellent games yesterday.

Firmly believe teams can't win finals without an excellent ruckman.

Worth noting the games we have done well in/won have been vs teams without recognised ruckman playing: GCS, Richmond (don't rate Maric), Bulldogs, Pies, StK and Cats.

Our biggest losses have been where we have been killed in the ruck: GWS (Mummy), Sydney (Pike), (Hawks, Mc Evoy), Port (Lobe), Freo (Sandilands). No coincidence these are grand final/prelim final ruckmen/teams.

Recently, I was one suggesting we need a ruckman to grow into the role along side our growing young mid-field.

Yesterday, showed Gawn could be that guy!

Well presented post that. Good analysis of strengths and weaknesses.

Was thinking if having a winning ruckman is an essential part of our winning games then how does the rest of the season look?

It would suggest wins against: Dons, Saints, Pies, Bulldogs, Blues, GWS (none of which have better rucks than us)

It will be a good test for Gawn vs Eagles (Nic Nat), Lions (Martin), Roos Goldstein)

Loss but good experience for Gawn vs Freo (Sandilands)

Not saying ruck victories alone will win us those games but if the rest of the team plays with the grit and team ethic it did yesterday, we have a very good chance of winning about half those games.

One week earlier....

Wow. Some shockers again, HH.

I like the idea of Hogan getting a run on the half forward flank or on the ball a bit more he has the crash and bash capability to play further up the field. Would certainly give us a lot of marking options.

I like the idea of Hogan getting a run on the half forward flank or on the ball a bit more he has the crash and bash capability to play further up the field. Would certainly give us a lot of marking options.

With his history of back problems I would prefer not to put him right in the middle: certainly HFF roaming from wing / HB to deep forward though would be great (essentially what he does now anyway). And certainly very minimal ruck duties.

Edited June 22, 201510 yr by monoccular

i have stated before that we should play two rucks to allow for spread and also to match the strenhgths of the opposition. Sundays result was fantastic and the tandem ruck worked well. Our next challenge is Natanui. He is a jumping ruckman and dislikes physical contact. Jamar has always played well against him and his crash in style worries Nat. I would really consider playing Jamar for this match and possibly resting Spencer even though he played well.

i have stated before that we should play two rucks to allow for spread and also to match the strenhgths of the opposition. Sundays result was fantastic and the tandem ruck worked well. Our next challenge is Natanui. He is a jumping ruckman and dislikes physical contact. Jamar has always played well against him and his crash in style worries Nat. I would really consider playing Jamar for this match and possibly resting Spencer even though he played well.

Jamar wont be jumping on a plane to Perth.

Or anywhere really.(he can't)

It's all over for him Lord.

If that's you posting Mark,

nice try.

i have stated before that we should play two rucks to allow for spread and also to match the strenhgths of the opposition. Sundays result was fantastic and the tandem ruck worked well. Our next challenge is Natanui. He is a jumping ruckman and dislikes physical contact. Jamar has always played well against him and his crash in style worries Nat. I would really consider playing Jamar for this match and possibly resting Spencer even though he played well.

Spencer is just as aggressive as Jamar.

Jamar is finished.

I think our rucking really helped drive this win. Max was unusually good because Spencer was there doing about 40% of the ruckwork (getting 25 hitouts himself & a goal (& he seems to be kicking better)] and exhausting the opposition ruck more than our smaller "pinch hitters" would have. Hence their ruck became more tired, while Max was always fresh and didn't run out of gas in the 4th Quarter as he usually does.

I don't think Max alone could do it, but combined with Spencer they may be able to give Goldy, Mummy, Nic-Nat etc. a run for their money.

I think our rucking really helped drive this win. Max was unusually good because Spencer was there doing about 40% of the ruckwork (getting 25 hitouts himself & a goal (& he seems to be kicking better)] and exhausting the opposition ruck more than our smaller "pinch hitters" would have. Hence their ruck became more tired, while Max was always fresh and didn't run out of gas in the 4th Quarter as he usually does.

I don't think Max alone could do it, but combined with Spencer they may be able to give Goldy, Mummy, Nic-Nat etc. a run for their money.

Geelong didn't play a ruckman. That's why our ruckmen won the ruck.

Edited June 22, 201510 yr by Kali

Well I was gonna give Gawn another 2 to 3 matches before reviewing.... but I got all the convincing I needed after watching that match. It's GAAAWN all the way!

I was having a read on big footy on the geelong post match discussion forums, a lot of people suggesting they should go after Gawn due to their thin rock stocks through injury and on the back of his recent performances. I think that club are targeting every player in this years upcoming trade period..

I was having a read on big footy on the geelong post match discussion forums, a lot of people suggesting they should go after Gawn due to their thin rock stocks through injury and on the back of his recent performances. I think that club are targeting every player in this years upcoming trade period..

A bit like us on this forum...we are targeting every out of contract player that looks like they can play a bit.

Mentioned Motlop myself on another thread, it doesn't mean the club are targeting them but makes for interesting discussion.

Having said that, I do think all clubs keep tabs on all opposition players, particularly so when out of contract. If they didn't they wouldn't be doing their job properly.

I was having a read on big footy on the geelong post match discussion forums, a lot of people suggesting they should go after Gawn due to their thin rock stocks through injury and on the back of his recent performances. I think that club are targeting every player in this years upcoming trade period..

Max has been sidelined on the list for two separate years with a knee.

In that time he has been to nearly every game for Casey and the MFC (when unfit) to support his mates.

He has seen and played in some of the worst teams in the modern era and along with Watts and Jones,has taken it all pretty well despite being thrown to the wolves.

The club has spent years developing him and despite this, he is still a top player.

To our credit as a club ,we never de-listed him and to his own credit he never quit.

He also also a bloody good vibe around the club and I think he about the most popular bloke on the list.

Mad Max is at the stage in his career (metaphorically) where the bad guys have just run over his wife and kids and he has decided to handcuff people to car bodies and douse them in petrol.

Max has been sidelined on the list for two separate years with a knee.

In that time he has been to nearly every game for Casey and the MFC (when unfit) to support his mates.

He has seen and played in some of the worst teams in the modern era and along with Watts and Jones,has taken it all pretty well despite being thrown to the wolves.

The club has spent years developing him and despite this, he is still a top player.

To our credit as a club ,we never de-listed him and to his own credit he never quit.

He also also a bloody good vibe around the club and I think he about the most popular bloke on the list.

Mad Max is at the stage in his career (metaphorically) where the bad guys have just run over his wife and kids and he has decided to handcuff people to car bodies and douse them in petrol.

Great post. Liked the highlighted part the best.

Max Gawn has arrived and has shown he is our #1 ruck now and for the future.

He will be our number one ruck, but he's got a lot of work to do.

Edited July 12, 201510 yr by AdamFarr

We all knew he could do this, still has a few areas to improve, but i love having him in the team

Max Gawn has arrived and has shown he is our #1 ruck now and for the future.

He will be our number one ruck, but he's got a lot of work to do.

We all knew he could do this, still has a few areas to improve, but i love having him in the team

I think he has a lot to do yet but has finally been given the role of number one ruck which will help his development.

The thing we need to understand is the good games he had against Geelong and the EFC, neither team had a recognised ruck.

I think he has a lot to do yet but has finally been given the role of number one ruck which will help his development.

The thing we need to understand is the good games he had against Geelong and the EFC, neither team had a recognised ruck.

I think gawn is still on the meat hook.

he has a lot to prove to remain on the list beyond another 12 months at this point IMO. If an offer came along for him, it will be considered, for sure.

I think gawn is still on the meat hook.

he has a lot to prove to remain on the list beyond another 12 months at this point IMO. If an offer came along for him, it will be considered, for sure.

Your name is so apt.

Hope he continues with his great form. Unlike many, didn't freeze in the headlights.