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Forward Line & Backup Ruck Issues Going into 2024 and beyond ...

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

On 23/02/2024 at 14:50, DeeSpencer said:

Are we sure Fullarton is still out until April? He seems to be advancing fairly quickly with talk he’d play some minutes on Wednesday?

He could be a chance for round 1 or 2 (17 or 23 March).

The other question is are we sure Verrall  can’t play round 0? No expectations he’d play more than about 50% game time (30% ruck, 20% forward) but is he an option? 

 

I liked what I saw from Verrall in the match sim against Richmond. 

If he gives Max a rest either forward or on the pine for 30% of a game, that is a good result I reckon.

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    18 minutes ago, HBDee said:

    I liked what I saw from Verrall in the match sim against Richmond. 

    If he gives Max a rest either forward or on the pine for 30% of a game, that is a good result I reckon.

    Verrall honestly just needs to barrel into Grundy a few times in the first quarter and he will have done his job - any possessions are a bonus.

    Schache clearly doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to be a ruckman, and I hate the idea of throwing JVR in the ruck against players 15kgs and 15cms bigger than him - we're just going to destroy him.

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    1 hour ago, poita said:

    Verrall honestly just needs to barrel into Grundy a few times in the first quarter and he will have done his job - any possessions are a bonus.

    Schache clearly doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to be a ruckman, and I hate the idea of throwing JVR in the ruck against players 15kgs and 15cms bigger than him - we're just going to destroy him.

    Not many Ruckman are 15cm/15kg bigger than van Rooyen tbf. Would make a ruckman 209cm/115kg

    Verrall will be our 2nd choice option come Gather Round with being the #! in the VFL.

    Schache/Fullerton could pinch hit for now while being permanent forwards whilst Petty is in rehab 

    Edited by SthSea22

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    2 hours ago, HBDee said:

    I liked what I saw from Verrall in the match sim against Richmond. 

    If he gives Max a rest either forward or on the pine for 30% of a game, that is a good result I reckon.

    Look at his draft highlights

    He is very skillful below his knees and can take a mark

    Only worry is he isn't really massive (199cm)

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    9 minutes ago, SthSea22 said:

    Look at his draft highlights

    He is very skillful below his knees and can take a mark

    Only worry is he isn't really massive (199cm)

    Does he have any aggressive aggro though ?  Or will he be pushed aside?

     

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    3 minutes ago, hemingway said:

    Does he have any aggressive aggro though ?  Or will he be pushed aside?

     

    Very raw

     

    Aggression will come with more game time in the VFL against mature bodies 

     

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    (Sorry – just realised that I’ve gone into a bit of a rant. Might be a TLDR? In which case, just read the first sentence)

    There really isn’t anything to see here.
    We will get players back into the forward line. Looks like the training loads have pushed players to their limits. Better now than September.

    We have coverage for Max. Granted, it’s not as good as last year with Grundy, but it’s not too bad.

    Having reviewed the practice games and some of last years games, there are not many ruckmen that I would see as an upgrade to our list. And even some of them are getting a bit old.

    These are the players that I think consistently provide real value for their side in the ruck: McInerney, Goldstein, Darcy, Briggs, Stanley, Witts, Gawn, Nankervis, Marshall, Grundy, and English.

    Most of the rest are either forwards/utilities that spend little time in the ruck, or they are unproven, or they have some serious skill deficiencies. I would expect all of our backup talls (JVR, Schache, Verrall, Fullerton, TMac) to at least break even with other listed ruckmen.

    In any case, this is a non–issue while Max is fit and playing. But that is the same for all 18 clubs. Not many would be unchallenged with their main ruckman on the sidelines for an extended period. Even if Gary doesn’t rate them.

     

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    On 11/02/2024 at 09:34, old55 said:

    I think the injury "crisis" is overblown.

     

    Haven't been in this thread for a couple of weeks and this is where I landed.

    Was a very good call old.

    Unfortunately since then we have lost Gus.

    But clarry looks in good nick and will be in the ones by round 3, perhaps earlier.

    BB had said he hopes to be back with main group in 2-3 week. 

    Fullarton is apparety two weeks away, as is mcadam.

    Petts still sounds a couple of weeks away, but is on track for being back by round 2-3.

    Tmac is out of rehab and salo is up and running.

    Turner is a bummer, but will back before the mid season bye and melk seems in great shape and on track for aprox round 15.

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    5 hours ago, Roost it far said:

    Gawn should play a maximum of 18 games prior to finals…..Who plays the rest?

    I'm 174cm, but I'll have a crack.

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    • 3 weeks later...

    If he stays fit and firing then yes!  Please just manage him because when he's on he makes a world of difference, such a class act.

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    When we have the full compliment to pick from our forward line is good enough to win a flag, given our midfield and defence.

    The big question is continuity and injury, with some luck we are every chance this year.

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