Now that Hogan is gone I see Gawn playing more up forward a 50\50 split in the ruck I think it will be while Preuss will only play a little bit up forward.

Max had average game time of 85% in 2018:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-melbourne-demons--max-gawn?advv=Y

If Preuss and Max both play then Max could drop that to say 75% gametime to help his longevity.  Preuss would need to play at least 65% gametime so we don't lose out on rotations.  That means they'd be on the field together (minimum) 40% of the time - assuming they are never both off together.

Edited October 18, 20186 yr by Fifty-5

I love the idea of two monster rucks that can take the odd mark and kick the odd goal. All other sides have to reconsider how to play us particularly with our midfield being so good. We have removed a weak spot and provided valuable relief/ back up for the Gawn. If playing forward they can get a goal a match each, or dropping back cut off a goal we are a much better side.With the new rules I think we are very well placed to usher in the new era of two full time ruckmen.

16 hours ago, rpfc said:

I think we will give Preuss FF a go with the 6-6-6.

Someone has to start in the square. Having Weideman, T Mac, Melksham, Petracca and Spargo/Fritsch/Hannan/Garlett seems pretty appetising for our midfield to hit up with no intercepting loose players...

 

Completely agree. I see Preuss used at FF and taking ruck contests in the F50, maybe beyond, limiting the amount of ground Gawn has to cover and letting him consistently set up a kick behind play for intercept marks.

I can see Gawn & Lever getting in each other’s way.

50 minutes ago, Mach5 said:

 

Completely agree. I see Preuss used at FF and taking ruck contests in the F50, maybe beyond, limiting the amount of ground Gawn has to cover and letting him consistently set up a kick behind play for intercept marks.

I can see Gawn & Lever getting in each other’s way.

If Max doesn't have to push back deep, which he shouldn't with May and Lever in the team it gives us a good let out kick from defence with him sitting around HB/Centre/Wing....

I don’t mind pruess being used up forward simply because I can’t see him being out marked. Bring it to ground and let the smalls go to work. 

I am sure the FD are planning for Preuss to loose weight and work on his manoeuvrability, so he can play up forward or spend time down back as Gawn does. 

1 hour ago, RedsoxMan said:

I am sure the FD are planning for Preuss to loose weight and work on his manoeuvrability, so he can play up forward or spend time down back as Gawn does. 

Would put money on you being correct.

His height and aggression will still be there if he drops a few kg.

I cant read this article because paywall, but the headline alone is another positive reinforcement of our recruiting team, and how we are staying ahead of the competition.

"Alarming shortage of ready-made big men"

Im sure plenty of other clubs were into Preuss. We got him to sign, even though we already have Max, which makes it harder for Preuss to get first-ruck time. MFC were not the most active club during the trade period, but NOBODY will slap the "scattergun" label on us this time.

Need = Targets = Trades completed.

Big tick MFC.

Fug im pumped for the next few years. How bout the rest of youse? (My best Jeff Fenech)

Edited November 7, 20186 yr by ding

12 minutes ago, ding said:

I cant read this article because paywall, but the headline alone is another positive reinforcement of our recruiting team, and how we are staying ahead of the competition.

"Alarming shortage of ready-made big men"

Im sure plenty of other clubs were into Preuss. We got him to sign, even though we already have Max, which makes it harder for Preuss to get first-ruck time. MFC were not the most active club during the trade period, but NOBODY will slap the "scattergun" label on us this time.

Need = Targets = Trades completed.

Big tick MFC.

Fug im pumped for the next few years. How bout the rest of youse? (My best Jeff Fenech)

Get a small feeling that Pruess could play a forward role next season, like Cox? If Gawn could kick straight he would be a fantastic forward/ruck.

3 hours ago, deefella said:

Get a small feeling that Pruess could play a forward role next season, like Cox? If Gawn could kick straight he would be a fantastic forward/ruck.

Will Max forever be remembered for what he didn’t do round 1 v Geelong?

Overall his goal kicking was pretty good for a big man.

Does anyone have access to his set shot stats?

6 hours ago, monoccular said:

Will Max forever be remembered for what he didn’t do round 1 v Geelong?

Overall his goal kicking was pretty good for a big man.

Does anyone have access to his set shot stats?

Max kicked 13.12 this season (thought it would be more) and has 51.40 over his career. Don’t know about set shots but can’t remember him having too many snaps or shots on the run

On 10/19/2018 at 11:05 AM, ManDee said:

I love the idea of two monster rucks that can take the odd mark and kick the odd goal. All other sides have to reconsider how to play us particularly with our midfield being so good. We have removed a weak spot and provided valuable relief/ back up for the Gawn. If playing forward they can get a goal a match each, or dropping back cut off a goal we are a much better side.With the new rules I think we are very well placed to usher in the new era of two full time ruckmen.

Clearly the way to exploit the two rucks is to play hard and fast running smalls, and to exploit their lack of run and endurance off half back when these talls are resting/playing forward.

I hope Preuss really works on his endurance this pre season. He'll need it.

On 10/19/2018 at 1:09 PM, rjay said:

If Max doesn't have to push back deep, which he shouldn't with May and Lever in the team it gives us a good let out kick from defence with him sitting around HB/Centre/Wing....

Yep, exactly. With the three clearly defined areas of the ground covered by Preuss, Gawn and May/Lever, we are well positioned in the new system. If need be, Gawn could drop back defensively too.

On 10/19/2018 at 1:15 PM, Patches O’houlihan said:

I don’t mind pruess being used up forward simply because I can’t see him being out marked. Bring it to ground and let the smalls go to work. 

It may well be the element a number of teams use from Collingwood's blue print this year. 

Without Hogan down there, as long as Preuss and Weideman can bring the ball to ground and our smalls can get to the foot of the contest, with our inside 50s we'll be dangerous.

8 hours ago, A F said:

It may well be the element a number of teams use from Collingwood's blue print this year. 

Without Hogan down there, as long as Preuss and Weideman can bring the ball to ground and our smalls can get to the foot of the contest, with our inside 50s we'll be dangerous.

You'll be surprised at how well Weidemann will mark when he's truly up and brim full of confidence. He is an awesome pack mark.

2 hours ago, dieter said:

You'll be surprised at how well Weidemann will mark when he's truly up and brim full of confidence. He is an awesome pack mark.

Yep, although Weideman is still young and will have patches of inconsistency. I hope 2019 becomes a year where he can take a few games by the scruff of the neck (ala Curnow) - and yes, he was a match winner against Geelong, but he faded in and out of the game.

In the meantime, Preuss will need to help him out.

11 hours ago, A F said:

Yep, although Weideman is still young and will have patches of inconsistency. I hope 2019 becomes a year where he can take a few games by the scruff of the neck (ala Curnow) - and yes, he was a match winner against Geelong, but he faded in and out of the game.

In the meantime, Preuss will need to help him out.

I have an alternate view. Instead of being satisfied if he "can take a few games by the scruff of the neck" my preference is for him to become a consistent, solid option. Someone who gets picked every week, takes contested marks and kicks goals regularly without necessarily dominating individual games.  

On 11/7/2018 at 9:46 PM, deefella said:

Get a small feeling that Pruess could play a forward role next season, like Cox? If Gawn could kick straight he would be a fantastic forward/ruck.

Both Grand Finalists played with two talls - we struggled against them.

On 11/7/2018 at 8:46 PM, deefella said:

Get a small feeling that Pruess could play a forward role next season, like Cox? If Gawn could kick straight he would be a fantastic forward/ruck.

Gawn is really a pretty good kick for goal (particularly for a ruckman).  There was that absolute numpty of a kick after the siren in Rd 1 and one or two more similar to it in the next few weeks, but after that he tidied up his goal kicking nicely.

He kicked a number of great goals in pressure times of the game from 40 - 50m out a number of times during the season and those two checkside/bananas from right out on the boundary against Essendon are ones that not even some forwards and mids kick reliability.  

Not only did Gawn nail that first on from the boundary against Essendon, but ten minutes later he went back and did it all again to prove it wasn't a fluke.  The sledge he gave the Essendon supporter afterwards was pure gold and another 'Max Gawn Classic Moment'!

On 11/8/2018 at 12:44 PM, A F said:

I hope Preuss really works on his endurance this pre season. He'll need it.

The Herald-Sun reported yesterday that Pruess was one of six North Melbourne players that attended a high altitude training camp in Utah.

Four current Kangaroos along with two former teammates paid their own way to head to the United States for two weeks where they got a head start on training in the mountains of Utah.

Paul Ahern, Cameron Zurhaar, Declan Watson and Sam Durdin joined recently-delisted Alex Morgan and new Melbourne ruckman Braydon Preuss for high-altitude training in a bid to hit the ground running in 2019.

Good to see he is committed and knows what it is going to take to become a permanent inclusion to the team.

Preuss sees second ruck opportunity

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-11-19/preuss-sees-opportunity-as-second-ruckman

 

He looks super thin...

?

2 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

He looks super thin...

?

Don't worry about thin, look at his left leg.