28 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Haven't seen much of pre-season training but with the extra bench spot I would think the big Moose (Heath) should get a go. He did ok up forward for the saints last year and at his size can be a good get out kick (hopefully we see less of that with the new game plan but it's always needed from time to time).

If Moose fails to fire, I'd think it would be a mix of AJ or JVR. Surely White needs some years to develop.

Haven't heard of Culley doing any ruck work at training - seems to have come from a random article (maybe not researched) but I stand to be corrected.

What is more interesting for me is that if Moose plays (presumably spending more time forward than in the ruck), and Mihocek plays, surely there's only room for one of JVR, Jeffo and AJ - especially if we have Melksham and Fritsch in the mix. Playing fast football in terms of ball movement will require fast forwards (with lots of repeat efforts) - will be interesting to see who is the preferred option at the end of pre-season.

I completely agree with Kalani needing to develop over the next few years but I thought maybe chucking him straight into the big games will enhance his development even more. Maybe even his agility and speed as a big man can add to our ‘new’ game style.

I’m really hoping that Max “Moose” Heath is ready to fire for the Dees in 2026, he turned 23 in October and is 204cm (6’8”), loves the physicality of the game and should be an upgrade on Rooey and AJ in the ruck. His size and aggression could rattle some back lines if he is ready to go.👍😁

30 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

I’m really hoping that Max “Moose” Heath is ready to fire for the Dees in 2026, he turned 23 in October and is 204cm (6’8”), loves the physicality of the game and should be an upgrade on Rooey and AJ in the ruck. His size and aggression could rattle some back lines if he is ready to go.👍😁

Sad as it is, time passes and sometime in the next few years Big Max will retire and a succession plan must be in place.

Not-quite-so-big Max looks a likely contender, as history has shown Kalani may be another 4-5 years off being ready for the number 1 role.

10 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

What is more interesting for me is that if Moose plays (presumably spending more time forward than in the ruck), and Mihocek plays, surely there's only room for one of JVR, Jeffo and AJ - especially if we have Melksham and Fritsch in the mix. Playing fast football in terms of ball movement will require fast forwards (with lots of repeat efforts) - will be interesting to see who is the preferred option at the end of pre-season.

No denying his brilliance and outstanding contribution over the last few seasons, but I do wonder if we take a more nuanced approach with Melksham this season to both manage him through the season and give oppertunites to others.

Maybe saving him for bigger games where we need that extra edge and experience, while giving the developing players more games against the lesser sides. I know they say the competition is closer than ever, but there's a big difference between a West Coast, North, Richmond and whatever other teams might slide next season, compared to the top end teams. I really think this season we need to be both blooding players for the future, while remaining competitive and winning every game we can.

18 hours ago, cam.noble1 said:

I completely agree with Kalani needing to develop over the next few years but I thought maybe chucking him straight into the big games will enhance his development even more. Maybe even his agility and speed as a big man can add to our ‘new’ game style.

I don’t see Kalani playing this year or next. I don’t really think we saw anything last year to suggest he is ready made for AFL footy.

Couple of people have mentioned Jai Culley as an occasional ruck chop-out.

Thought I'd mention firstly the coincidence of Jack Silvagni being the same height, and then the chats from Blues fans that he is actually a bigger loss than it would seem. Many blues reckon his terrible injury run and overuse as a hole-plugger has cost the Blues more than a few wins over the last few years, as well as his contract.

Anyway, the main connection is that Silvagni was being used as an undersized ruck stop-gap all over the ground in 2023-24, and actually did that role pretty well. Just 3 hitouts a game, but he was always an option because he already played in all areas of the field.

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

Couple of people have mentioned Jai Culley as an occasional ruck chop-out.

Thought I'd mention firstly the coincidence of Jack Silvagni being the same height, and then the chats from Blues fans that he is actually a bigger loss than it would seem. Many blues reckon his terrible injury run and overuse as a hole-plugger has cost the Blues more than a few wins over the last few years, as well as his contract.

Anyway, the main connection is that Silvagni was being used as an undersized ruck stop-gap all over the ground in 2023-24, and actually did that role pretty well. Just 3 hitouts a game, but he was always an option because he already played in all areas of the field.

This is the kind of thinking I can get around. 193cm with good mobility and a reasonable leap. The Jack Silvagni example is a good one.

People sometimes think that being a ruckman is all about physical stature and getting 65 hitouts a game but as with anything there's more to it. Some of the best 'disruptor' rucks barely get any hitouts but they negate the opposition ruck and provide something out of the box for them to contend with.

Even if he was taking 10% of ballups in a match it could make a difference. Sick of seeing JVR take centre bounces and even going back a few years Ben Brown and Petracca doing ruckwork in the forward line wasn't a good look.

Edited January 20Jan 20 by layzie

32 minutes ago, layzie said:

This is the kind of thinking I can get around. 193cm with good mobility and a reasonable leap. The Jack Silvagni example is a good one.

People sometimes think that being a ruckman is all about physical stature and getting 65 hitouts a game but as with anything there's more to it. Some of the best 'disruptor' rucks barely get any hitouts but they negate the opposition ruck and provide something out of the box for them to contend with.

Even if he was taking 10% of ballups in a match it could make a difference. Sick of seeing JVR take centre bounces and even going back a few years Ben Brown and Petracca doing ruckwork in the forward line wasn't a good look.

Jack Watts was another that did that occasional ruck chop-out for us, going back a number of years and from recollection did a reasonable job at it when required also.

If I'm rembering correctly, one of the rule/umpiring changes bought in following the ened of last season was not to wait as long for designated rucks to get to the position for any given stoppage ruck contest around the ground, so even being the relative athletic beast that he is, this may limit Max's ability to get to as many contests, making having other options that can take the contest around the ground even more of a requirement. Further, if one teams main ruck can't make it to a contest, there's also a good chance his direct opposite ruck won't make it there either, meaning it may be two secondary rucks going up against each other as well, potentiall making the life if the likes of Jai in such situations that little bit easier as well.

Edited January 21Jan 21 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Hearing Gawn talk post origin about the advantages that guys like De Koning have over the older, less athletic types- makes me feel that Kalani’s development will be super important to us. We need someone with pure jumping power to get up and over the opposition ruckman. He is still a while off, but really hope he can get his body to a point to handle the workload and take over the number 1 ruck spot next year or beyond

Luker Kentfield really impressed me last week playing as a ruckman and I thought he held himself well against Maxy Heath.

His marking around the ground stood out but it was his mobility and ability to link up which impressed me more.

With the extra interchange player now added, I reckon this will come into play more often with team selection.

9 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Luker Kentfield really impressed me last week playing as a ruckman and I thought he held himself well against Maxy Heath.

His marking around the ground stood out but it was his mobility and ability to link up which impressed me more.

With the extra interchange player now added, I reckon this will come into play more often with team selection.

DD does anyone thinks White will be anymore than an Average player. I believe there is a reason no one showed any interest in him at drafting time!

8 minutes ago, old dee said:

DD does anyone thinks White will be anymore than an Average player. I believe there is a reason no one showed any interest in him at drafting time!

White was developing nicely in pre-season before his illness. He is mobile and has forward craft. He was also showing signs of putting on muscle... not like Arnie, but the gym work was starting to show. I'm convinced that, at this rate of improvement, he will prove to be a handy addition in the years to come.

10 minutes ago, old dee said:

DD does anyone thinks White will be anymore than an Average player. I believe there is a reason no one showed any interest in him at drafting time!

It’s way too early to tell OD.

He has really elite traits for a guy his size in agility and leap and also has really good skills for a 200cm+ player. He will have to develop his body and game obviously, but I wouldn’t be writing him off at this stage.

I really like the new ruck rule, and hopefully we can find someone who can take the centre square throw ups instead of Max.

But unfortunately, I think the rule change will shorten Max's career by a year or two

1 hour ago, SPC said:

Hearing Gawn talk post origin about the advantages that guys like De Koning have over the older, less athletic types- makes me feel that Kalani’s development will be super important to us. We need someone with pure jumping power to get up and over the opposition ruckman. He is still a while off, but really hope he can get his body to a point to handle the workload and take over the number 1 ruck spot next year or beyond

14 minutes ago, Mickey said:

I really like the new ruck rule, and hopefully we can find someone who can take the centre square throw ups instead of Max.

But unfortunately, I think the rule change will shorten Max's career by a year or two

I think Max is being a bit cagey...lets wait and see how things settle.

8 minutes ago, rjay said:

I think Max is being a bit cagey...lets wait and see how things settle.

Yeah agree. Plus the ruck tap in the middle is only one part of what a good ruck does. Getting involved around the ground is probably more important and we know Max is an elite mark and runner.

Not too fussed about Gawn and the new ruck rule. He was still pulling off some nice hit outs to advantage the other night.

The new rule also won't preclude him from taking his signature contested marks all over the field and being a high possession gatherer which sets him apart from the rest of the rucks.

Or, maybe he finally has a down year....

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Luker Kentfield really impressed me last week playing as a ruckman and I thought he held himself well against Maxy Heath.

His marking around the ground stood out but it was his mobility and ability to link up which impressed me more.

With the extra interchange player now added, I reckon this will come into play more often with team selection.

I think its imperative that we play the extra ruck if they warrant a spot through performance.

Gawn needs to be preserved for 15/20% of game time for his longevity.

Moose can play up forward, also if need be even Big Kent might be a viable solution if he grasps his opportunities this season.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Luker Kentfield really impressed me last week playing as a ruckman and I thought he held himself well against Maxy Heath.

His marking around the ground stood out but it was his mobility and ability to link up which impressed me more.

With the extra interchange player now added, I reckon this will come into play more often with team selection.

I thought Luker jumped just well enough to make sure Heath didn’t have the centre bounces all his own way. But at boundary throw ins he was often 5m off the drop trailing in which was concerning.

He did a few nice things around the ground, he’s a quality contested mark and great kick.

If we’re going to use the 5th bench spot on an extra tall it may as well be Heath just rucking 40% of the game.

Luker won’t be more impactful than JVR in the ruck and then we’ve got 4 key forwards to try to rotate, it will either clog the forward line or ruin their momentum in the game.

48 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Not too fussed about Gawn and the new ruck rule.

I am. Moreso the compounding impact of the new rule + ageing + his ‘saviour’ complex (where he tries to do it all on his own when the chips are down) + transforming side around him.

Obviously be ecstatic if I am wrong but I worry that all signs are pointing to the big fella starting to fall away. worst case scenario is he could start to become a liability to our progress.

If this was the nba we’d trade him to a contender for 12 first round draft picks and give him another chance at glory.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Luker Kentfield really impressed me last week playing as a ruckman and I thought he held himself well against Maxy Heath.

His marking around the ground stood out but it was his mobility and ability to link up which impressed me more.

With the extra interchange player now added, I reckon this will come into play more often with team selection.

I also liked Luther but Moose was better in the ruck!

After Origin Jeff White commented something along the lines of ‘looks like Darcy Cameron has gone to school on this new rule over the off-season’.

And Max, by his own admission, said he’d been found out a few times in match sim on the new rule.

Our head coach was an elite ruckman and we’ve got the best ruckman of the last 20 years in our side. Not sure what they got up to in the pre-season but not feeling warm and fuzzy that we’re in a good position to leverage an historical strength.