The big ruckman had a late start to the season and was unable to break into the AFL side due to Max Gawn's dominant form with the Demons.

Games MFC 2016 0

Career Total 36

Goals MFC 2016 0

Career Total 6

Games CSFC 2016 17

Goals CSFC 2016 13

Another dominant year from the Pencil

Disappointing VFL final series casts significant doubt over his ability to adequately step in for Gawn if (god forbid) the need arises. It's nice to have a second ruckman on the list, but he is clearly not the answer long term.

Spencer = ruckman insurance 

He only plays if gawn goes down. Therefore I'm happy having him in the vfl. 

A huge opportunity coming up for Spencil, as he is now the main man for the next month.   He had a very solid JLT series and he has earned a decent shot at it.

I believe hes a competitive beast, and  will rise to the occasion starting Saturday vs Sandilands and Freo. 

Goodwin's response in his presser was strange. Hope Jake isn't injured. 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Max's injury is devastating for just about everyone involved with the Melbourne Footy Club but there is one obvious exception. He's done his best pre-season in years and played well in the JLT.

Come on Jake grab your opportunity and make everyone wonder what the hell we are going to do when Gawn is finally ready to come back.

 

 

3 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

A huge opportunity coming up for Spencil, as he is now the main man for the next month.   He had a very solid JLT series and he has earned a decent shot at it.

I believe hes a competitive beast, and  will rise to the occasion starting Saturday vs Sandilands and Freo. 

Next 3 months apparently

3 hours ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Goodwin's response in his presser was strange. Hope Jake isn't injured. 

What was the response?

Raise hell Jake!

14 minutes ago, deanox said:

What was the response?

No endorsement of Jake and "coaches like experimenting". Or words to that extent. I thought it odd but probably means nothing 

Hopefully the making of Jake the footballer.

Good luck Spence il back you in at all cost. All we want is a good old fashion hard contest.

He will pump up his free agency interest now, if he goes well will score a nice pay packet 

34 minutes ago, brendan said:

He will pump up his free agency interest now, if he goes well will score a nice pay packet 

Why on earth would we want him to "pump up his free agency"?  It is no accident that our list managers seek to retain two competive ruckmen on our books! Best for him if he is a cog in the powerhouse Dee Machine! 

Geelong played without a ruckman last week.  Interesting strategy if you can rove to theirs.  I think a ruckman that can give us first use is really valuable in our game plan.  Goody was playing 'ducks and drakes', Spence seems to have kept improving, and can go against Sandilands to break even then we will do ok.

Jake spencer is a very good player and extended run in the seniors might be just what he needs. 

He will be hungry and we know he has a red hot crack 

Jake won't break even with Sandi. Not even close.

Our mids will really have to fire.

2 minutes ago, Akum said:

Jake won't break even with Sandi. Not even close.

Our mids will really have to fire.

yeah, nah. Big Spencil will hold his own. I believe!!

and our mids need to fire every game.

#fearthebeard set to become #fearthefro for the next part of the season...

38 minutes ago, Akum said:

Jake won't break even with Sandi. Not even close.

Our mids will really have to fire.

I'm hoping Jake will use his aggression to put Sandilands off his game enough that our mids are able to feed off Sandilands errant taps.

3 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

Geelong played without a ruckman last week.  Interesting strategy if you can rove to theirs.  I think a ruckman that can give us first use is really valuable in our game plan.  Goody was playing 'ducks and drakes', Spence seems to have kept improving, and can go against Sandilands to break even then we will do ok.

It isn't the end of the world if you don't have a ruck, but it is more advantageous to have an effective ruck man. If you have an effective ruck man you can control the game out of the centre. Even though the opposition are going to be waiting for your mids to get the ball (so they can immediately tackle them), they do not know what midfielder is going to end up with the ball (can't cover them all). If Geelong do wish to continuously implement that strategy I think we will see more midfielders on the move at stoppages (opposition midfielders to Geelong to counter their strategy - which only works if they know what midfielders are going to get the ball, which increasingly works if midfielders are at a stand still). But overall, even around the ground, we are seeing players opt out of getting the ball, and instead opting to tackle. They will wait for another player to get the ball, then tackle them. I noticed it especially this weekend. I think this stems from players being told not to dive on the football, so they are already in the mindset of should I go - or shouldn't I go. Its nearly always easier to tackle these days. The game is a little bit flawed atm with the basic principle of getting the football. It is affecting all areas of the game. Ruck work is just another area that it is flowing off into. Basically, if you cannot dive on the football, how do you get it out? There is a grey area, you can bend down and pick it up, but you will be immediately tackled, its easier to be the tackler. At other times you are allowed to dive. Some players are allowed to dive on the ball (Dangerfield), whilst a large majority aren't.

fwiw. the next several months present a massive opportunity for spencer too - not necessarily to cement his spot in our side, but also to impress others.

worth remembering that he's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

12 hours ago, CBDees said:

Why on earth would we want him to "pump up his free agency"?  It is no accident that our list managers seek to retain two competive ruckmen on our books! Best for him if he is a cog in the powerhouse Dee Machine! 

Never said WE Would want him too, but for jake if he wants to become a number 1 ruck this is the perfect opportunity for him to do so, he never will be with us if max is fit so it's upto jake now if he can play some good games he will have clubs circling at years end 

Spencer will be our Tracey McGrady: played for years in the shadow of better players at his position, and when given a real opportunity absolutely smashes it.

He actually doesn't have a choice. He'll have his ups and downs and will make mistakes because that's just the kind of player her is.

But he has a very high football IQ and is a ruthless competitor.

I have no doubt that by his 5-6th game, many on here will be eating their words. Bookmark in a couple of BOGs.

All he needs tobring is aggression at the ruck contests and second efforts at ground level - he displayed both these during the JLT series, and it sounds like he followed up at Casey. I have never beden a huge fan, but I reckon he will surprise many with his presence at AFL level.