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Ruck roulette

DeeSpencer
DeeSpencer
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

Goldy - old, no draft cost, probably looking for a gig that comes with coaching opportunities in the future? 

Flynn - free agent, will need cash but no pick, career back up?

Fullarton - more of forward than a ruck, really poor man’s Luke Jackson. Could have upside with more game time.

Hayes - doesn’t lack for talent, Port have never been able to get him fit or trust him to run out a game. If we had Burgo?

Sweet - really solid back up, but Bevo never plays him. Wouldn’t offer anything forward. But could carve out a few years as depth and start when needed. 

Brynn Teakle - looked amazing to start his career but injuries and then sanfl form has been underwhelming. I’d take a flyer on the upside 

Chol - certainly fits as a forward/ruck. Plenty of talent but not sure he’s a structural player (maybe that’s ok).

Preuss - lol

1. Teakle
2. Sweet
3. Fullarton

Would be my preference depending on what we do with key forwards. Chol and Fullarton rank higher if we don’t bring in a forward. 

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    Sam Hayes tap work here looks pretty good to me. Jumps all over Pittonet. 

     

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    I think it will be difficult for us to attract a decent pure ruck as a back up. Nobody wants to be a certain VFL player.

    We are better off going for a forward/ruck who could play alongside Gawn and fill in as a ruckman if Gawn gets injured.

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    Any young, developing ruck with good management should look at 2 years learning under Gawn, then being the main man from 2026 onwards, as being the golden ticket for ruckmen.

    At the very least you can do what Preuss did and use the apprenticeship as leverage elsewhere.

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    37 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Sam Hayes tap work here looks pretty good to me. Jumps all over Pittonet. 

     

    And it looks like he's really good friends with Jack Silvagni.

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    35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Sam Hayes tap work here looks pretty good to me. Jumps all over Pittonet. 

     

    He has all the talent - size, athleticism, skills, but some guys just don’t have the tank for afl footy no matter how much work you put in to them. 

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    3 hours ago, Nascent said:

    I like the look of Moyle but think he's contracted and Suns probably unlikely to give him up.

     

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    Moyle can really play just needs to get fitter a very good mark and kick and very strong an excellent prospect grab him and Chol 

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    Fullerton is another Schache. Flynn the best option. I would take Goldie for a one off season. 

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    With the options listed in the OP it’s hard to see anything other than is being a weaker side next year if Grundy leaves. 
    Max hasn’t got much time left on the clock- Grundy waiting to take the number one ruck position makes us stronger. 
    Although it’s a hard sell to keep Grundy given the lack of AFL opportunities he’s got recently, him staying is still the best outcome for us. 
    If as more likely the case he does leave we might need to bring in two players- a ruck cover and forward ruck. Armaty and Goldy would be a good result. 

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    8 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

    I think it will be difficult for us to attract a decent pure ruck as a back up. Nobody wants to be a certain VFL player.

    We are better off going for a forward/ruck who could play alongside Gawn and fill in as a ruckman if Gawn gets injured.

    I don't know it for a fact, but IF Brundy asks to move on due to lack of opportunity, then why would any sane mature wannabe first ruck want to come to MFC?

    Yes, maybe an up and comer wanting to look ahead a year or three, or a genuine forward / 2nd ruck.

    Are there any of these available?

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    5 minutes ago, monoccular said:

    I don't know it for a fact, but IF Brundy asks to move on due to lack of opportunity, then why would any sane mature wannabe first ruck want to come to MFC?

    Yes, maybe an up and comer wanting to look ahead a year or three, or a genuine forward / 2nd ruck.

    Are there any of these available?

    I think Chol is a good option.

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    18 hours ago, Ferghus31 said:

     

    And he is a QLDer

    Dominates VFL level at his age so you wouldn't think GC would let him go

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    13 hours ago, AndyH said:

    How far away are Jeff Whites sons?

    Kalani is 2025 draft.

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    22 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

    Goldy - old, no draft cost, probably looking for a gig that comes with coaching opportunities in the future? 

    Flynn - free agent, will need cash but no pick, career back up?

    Fullarton - more of forward than a ruck, really poor man’s Luke Jackson. Could have upside with more game time.

    Hayes - doesn’t lack for talent, Port have never been able to get him fit or trust him to run out a game. If we had Burgo?

    Sweet - really solid back up, but Bevo never plays him. Wouldn’t offer anything forward. But could carve out a few years as depth and start when needed. 

    Brynn Teakle - looked amazing to start his career but injuries and then sanfl form has been underwhelming. I’d take a flyer on the upside 

    Chol - certainly fits as a forward/ruck. Plenty of talent but not sure he’s a structural player (maybe that’s ok).

    Preuss - lol

    1. Teakle
    2. Sweet
    3. Fullarton

    Would be my preference depending on what we do with key forwards. Chol and Fullarton rank higher if we don’t bring in a forward. 

    The big issue is what player wants to come and be a 2nd option?

    All of the above are currently 2md or even 3rd option at current FC 

    • Sweet is from SA so high chance the Crows go hard at him to cover for an extremely declining O'Brien
    • Hayes would be an option if he is happy to wait it out for another 2-3 seasons which will bring him closer to 30
    • Teakle is a WA product who could possibly get attraction from WC as they are slim in the Ruck
    • Flynn would be ideal but i cannot see GWS letting him leave at his age
    • Preuss would be the player GWS would let walk. I wouldn't say no as a backup once again
    • Fullarton isn't a player i would consider tbh, isn't really a Ruck
    • Chol would be my #1 pick as he offers a 2nd ruck option 

     

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    We'll go after Flynn I think. 

    As I recall we were keen on him in his draft year. 

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    Flynn, Lycett, ladhams for mine due to the ability to actually get them outta there clubs too. No point targetting sweet or strachan as they're the only other ruck on their lists so harder to snare. but also the other options arent proven at afl level so why would we target them, we need a ready made ruck for now which is where flynn lycett and ladhams have runs on the board and can be short term solutions. 

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    1 hour ago, Turner said:

    Flynn, Lycett, ladhams for mine due to the ability to actually get them outta their clubs too. No point targetting sweet or strachan as they're the only other ruck on their lists so harder to snare. but also the other options arent proven at afl level so why would we target them, we need a ready made ruck for now which is where flynn lycett and ladhams have runs on the board and can be short term solutions. 

    The dogs have offered Sweet two years to sit behind English who is absolutely in his physical prime and unlikely to miss games. If Sweet wanted to stay he’d sign that already. We can offer him 3 and just about a lock that Gawn won’t play all games or even be playing in 3 years and our lack of key forwards will present opportunities too. 

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    3 hours ago, SthSea22 said:

    The big issue is what player wants to come and be a 2nd option?

    All of the above are currently 2md or even 3rd option at current FC 

    • Sweet is from SA so high chance the Crows go hard at him to cover for an extremely declining O'Brien
    • Hayes would be an option if he is happy to wait it out for another 2-3 seasons which will bring him closer to 30
    • Teakle is a WA product who could possibly get attraction from WC as they are slim in the Ruck
    • Flynn would be ideal but i cannot see GWS letting him leave at his age
    • Preuss would be the player GWS would let walk. I wouldn't say no as a backup once again
    • Fullarton isn't a player i would consider tbh, isn't really a Ruck
    • Chol would be my #1 pick as he offers a 2nd ruck option 

     

    They’d have to embrace being a second option but there’s no way Gawn gets through seasons healthy anymore. He’s not even healthy now! It’s different than sitting behind a 27 year old ruck who’s not going anywhere for years to come. 

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