Beyond the Harley Reid question, I think we really need to look at a very skilful and established Ruckman to follow up from Max and almost immediately in this year or particularly next year. 
Sean Darcy is a western districts lad and is quite simply a very good ruckman/forward. 
 

Is this a reasonable question?

What talent other than Rookies do we have coming through?

Hmmm…

 

Ed: don’t get. Just go. 

Edited August 29, 20231 yr by McQueen

Bloke called Grundy running around at Cranbourne East who looks handy... 🤷‍♂️

Good ruckman, yep, but he ain’t a great forward. I just can’t see him having any interest in him coming to us in his prime only to sit in the 2s until Max retires. 
 

edit; only to then make way for Kalani white when he storms onto the scene!

Edited August 29, 20231 yr by The Jackson FIX

6 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Bloke called Grundy running around at Cranbourne East who looks handy... 🤷‍♂️

Yeah true but I’m looking at age profile and the funnel of replacement talent looks very skinny. 

No chance he would come to us given the Grundy situation. 
We need to go after a young developing ruck or a forward who can pinch hit in the ruck. No established ruck will come to us while Gawn is still doing Gawn things. 

14 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Beyond the Harley Reid question, I think we really need to look at a very skilful and established Ruckman to follow up from Max and almost immediately in this year or particularly next year. 
Sean Darcy is a western districts lad and is quite simply a very good ruckman/forward. 
 

Is this a reasonable question?

What talent other than Rookies do we have coming through?

Hmmm…

 

Ed: don’t get. Just go. 

I think he's out of contract at the end of next season.

Is he a free agent then?

It might be the right time for us.

1 minute ago, rjay said:

I think he's out of contract at the end of next season.

Is he a free agent then?

It might be the right time for us.

That is correct. 
 

And I think he’s stalling already. 

Nah, we need to get a forward and if they can take ruck duties off JVR then great.

Max isn’t ready to share and I don’t know if he ever will be. We just need to be quick to get a replacement when the work inevitably gets to him and he goes quietly into the night.

What we really need is a Mitch Clark type forward/ruck.

Same issue as Grundy.  It's actually pretty easy to trade in a serviceable ruckman when needed in the future if needed.  Otherwise some development with young rucks.

  

 

No to chasing him this year when he'd cost a fortune in picks.

Yes to chasing him as a free agent if he's genuinely on the market.

But if we trade Grundy out we'll need someone cheap but playable in next year and they might surprise and push to be a long term option.

Plus we need forward help next year too.

I reckon we need to go after the best VFL level mature age ruck in the land or maybe next year Kieran Briggs? Someone who is prepared to play VFL unless they bang down the door.

If Grundy doesn't hang around we need someone to come in and compete next year - otherwise its up to Tmac / JVR.

Quite the evocative thread-title. 

Back in the ol' days, I regularly went hard for a good ruck.

He’s an excellent ruck but I can’t see us trading out Grundy and bringing in Darcy. If he was available in 2 years time he would be the perfect replacement for Maxy 

11 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Back in the ol' days, I regularly went hard for a good ruck.

Can't you spell?

Jackson would be better

There is only one person I go hard for and it's definitely not Sean Darcy.

We are much more in need of a Treloar type through the middle and a KPF.

As far as rucks go, if Grundy goes then sure we should be looking for an alternative.

Verral has some potential but a massive work in progress even at VFL level at this point.

Although not presently on the list, Bell could also act as a short term back up if Grundy left.

While he won't be anywhere near a Max standard (who would be?) and probably has limited upside, he's a competitive beast that can neautralise a contest and take occasional decent intercept marks.  He would be as effective as Grundy imho if he gets to peak fitness.

Helped Casey win a Premiership and is a big reason why they dropped away late in the season after his injury.

As long as there's a list spot (Grundy) and he comes cheap.

Regardless, a half decent ruck is all that's needed.  Wouldn't want to pay too much and only if Grundy moves on.

We need a Matthew Capuano type

29 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Jackson would be better

Yes the hybrid who can ruck & genuinly impact as a forward.

Jackson, Tom De Koning types.

They don't grow on trees however. 

Most genuine rucks are bog ordinary in front of the sticks even if they can take the odd clunker up forward or mobile enough to be hit up on a lead.

There’s no way any ruckman with designs on being first ruck - and has the capability - is coming to us now after how the Grundy thing has played out. If that was me I’d be saying Brodie effing Grundy couldn’t get a game, what hope have I got?

We need to develop some young rucks. We can start thinking of high profile rucks again when Max is closer or at the end.

What's the consensus of where Max is in his career Nash? Any thoughts ?

What's the succession plan now that Grundy isn't the short or medium term answer

11 hours ago, rjay said:

I think he's out of contract at the end of next season.

Is he a free agent then?

It might be the right time for us.

Yep, I'd be getting in his ear at the end of this season and saying Max has one year to go (particularly if we win the flag this year), and the ruck mantel at Melbourne is yours from 2025.

Maybe Sam Darcy