Tom McDonald should be Plan B for Blicavs

[TGR 1,367]

I know Roosy doesn't like thinking too much outside the square, but Geelong may force his hand this week. Scott has overhauled and revolutionised his ruck-stocks for basically nothing over the past few years.

Watts might get the job initially. Our other ruck can't be treacle especially if Stanley plays.

Geelong have potentially 2 monsters forward in Clark and Hawkins. Maybe Cloke showed us that Tom Mc hasn't the body yet to match up on these types; so a run around with Blicavs might not be out of the question.

[rjay 23,954]

I know Roosy doesn't like thinking too much outside the square, but Geelong may force his hand this week. Scott has overhauled and revolutionised his ruck-stocks for basically nothing over the past few years.

Watts might get the job initially. Our other ruck can't be treacle especially if Stanley plays.

Geelong have potentially 2 monsters forward in Clark and Hawkins. Maybe Cloke showed us that Tom Mc hasn't the body yet to match up on these types; so a run around with Blicavs might not be out of the question.

Stanley and Clark are not playing so the plan is redundant...

[Scipio 5,868]

I know Roosy doesn't like thinking too much outside the square, but Geelong may force his hand this week. Scott has overhauled and revolutionised his ruck-stocks for basically nothing over the past few years.

Watts might get the job initially. Our other ruck can't be treacle especially if Stanley plays.

Geelong have potentially 2 monsters forward in Clark and Hawkins. Maybe Cloke showed us that Tom Mc hasn't the body yet to match up on these types; so a run around with Blicavs might not be out of the question.

Not a fair comment.

It's necessary for the players to get the basics right before they can progress as a side. Seeing as we still haven't mastered the base skills of football, why would he try to get too fancy?

[TGR 1,367]

Not a fair comment.

It's necessary for the players to get the basics right before they can progress as a side. Seeing as we still haven't mastered the base skills of football, why would he try to get too fancy?

No, that is the Roos mantra.

Chris Scott could say the same and leave Dawson Simpson in the ruck. Beveridge could do the same and put Cordy v. Sandilands.

I agree, that we have a lot of basics to sort out. But FCS, surely tinkering at the side with a bit of innovation wont unravel the whole process seam by seam.

I have no doubt that Roos is one of the best coaches going around; and I am on record, unlike many here, saying this pre-2005 flag. But his biggest and maybe only weakness is his failure to innovate. I don't think anyone can argue against it.

[rjay 23,954]

No, that is the Roos mantra.

Chris Scott could say the same and leave Dawson Simpson in the ruck. Beveridge could do the same and put Cordy v. Sandilands.

I agree, that we have a lot of basics to sort out. But FCS, surely tinkering at the side with a bit of innovation wont unravel the whole process seam by seam.

I have no doubt that Roos is one of the best coaches going around; and I am on record, unlike many here, saying this pre-2005 flag. But his biggest and maybe only weakness is his failure to innovate. I don't think anyone can argue against it.

See, this is where people get things in their heads that aren't right. Things are not always black and white.

Roos was playing Frost in the ruck until injury stalled that one. He also was the first coach to nullify the Port game plan. Not saying he is mr innovation but he does do things outside the box...think the Tyson trade.

Stanley was a ruckman when recruited so the innovation from Scott there is to play him in his best position. I think his use of Blicavs though has been innovative in that he has used the kids strengths to advantage.

Edited June 17, 2015 by rjay

[Machsy 2,858]

Roos brought a tall Canadian rugby player onto the list & turned him into what became a premiership ruckman.

But he does not innovate?

[TGR 1,367]

See, this is where people get things in their heads that aren't right always right. Things are not always black and white.

Roos was playing Frost in the ruck until injury stalled that one. He also was the first coach to nullify the Port game plan. Not saying he is mr innovation but he does do things outside the box...think the Tyson trade.

Stanley was a ruckman when recruited so the innovation from Scott there is to play him in his best position. I think his use of Blicavs though has been innovative in that he has used the kids strengths to advantage.

Roos' recruiting of established AFL players (rejects or those on the cusp like Mumford) is second to none. So the Tyson trade....I agree, BUT doesn't not have anything to do with match-day-coaching innovation.

When Roos says, "I am sorry for the fans" after a loss; I for one can take all of this, and will; but give me a little innovation and dare at the same time.

Stanley was not on any teams radar as a ruckman surely. Played much more at the Saints as a mobile forward....but granted, I didn't see them too much.

[TGR 1,367]

Roos brought a tall Canadian rugby player onto the list & turned him into what became a premiership ruckman.

But he does not innovate?

A dinosaur in the ruck....hmmm

So 1915.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

No Clark and no Stanley makes things a little simpler. Dawson Simpson has dodgy shoulders and may or may not play. It's actually a good opportunity for Gawny to have a good day in the ruck and with Blicavs potentially being first ruck it nullifies that plan a bit.

I just think we need to have body on him at the contests and not allow him to get that free run. We can, hopefully, plan for that.

[McQueen 17,864]

Cloke and Hawkins are absolute beasts of men but I reckon Tommy had an off day with Cloke and he has the capacity to do the job on Tomohawk this weekend.

[Moonshadow 16,335]

Play the better players where they are most suited. Leave tmac down back.

[defuture15 847]

would Pedersen have been better than tmac/dunn on cloke?

He was on fire anyway, but is he the best option for players like cloke

and hawkins? It is a pity he is out but will he be retained?

[3Dee 1,153]

A dinosaur in the ruck....hmmm

So 1915.

hello mumford and sandi.. duh

[rjay 23,954]

Roos' recruiting of established AFL players (rejects or those on the cusp like Mumford) is second to none. So the Tyson trade....I agree, BUT doesn't not have anything to do with match-day-coaching innovation.

When Roos says, "I am sorry for the fans" after a loss; I for one can take all of this, and will; but give me a little innovation and dare at the same time.

Stanley was not on any teams radar as a ruckman surely. Played much more at the Saints as a mobile forward....but granted, I didn't see them too much.

The Saints tried to make him a forward and for a while a back but as a junior he was a ruckman. Nothing innovative about playing someone in their best position, just smart coaching I would have thought. As for match day coaching, I still say Roos was ahead of the pack in breaking down Port and using Frost in the ruck with similar thinking to the Cats.

Former Berri footballer Rhys Stanley faces a bittersweet trip when he leaves South Australia for Victoria today.

Stanley, who celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday, was selected by St Kilda with pick number 47 in Saturday's AFL national draft and will join fellow Riverlander Sam Fisher with the Saints.

The 200-centimetre ruckman lived in Berri up until last year, when he moved to Adelaide with his family to further his football career with West Adelaide.