Against Freo we lost the clearances 47-16 without a recognised ruck against Darcy and LJ (the rare game where the combo actually played in the later rounds - yay for us!)

We simply couldn't compete in the middle that day and it was a list management melt down as far as I'm concerned.

If Campbell played that game, could anyone take a guess what the clearance differential would have been? 

If he does come across, he'll actually be an important acquisition as we can't rely on Gawn to play 23 games. We also can't throw JVR to the wolves for more than 5 minutes a quarter. His output waned in the latter part of the season aside from the GC game. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

NO. 32 year old backup ruckman !!! We are sinking to new lows. And already been at 3 other clubs.  Wow.  Does the term “No” mean anything !!  

Prefer other younger VFL/WAFL/SANFL ruck options as backup.  

example.  Harry Boyd!!! won the Magarey Medal in the SANFL this year playing in the ruck for Norwood.  Let’s see … average 20.1 disposals, 10 clearances, 4.4 tackles and 41 hitouts per game. Guess what?  He's originally from Victoria.  FFS. 

Agreed, any chance of recruiting an AFL, not VFL player??

42 minutes ago, Billy said:

Agreed, any chance of recruiting an AFL, not VFL player??

Make some suggestions. Ones that would be happy to play behind Max / for Casey for a few years. Worked out great with Grundy...

I imagine the club is looking at younger rucks across the comp to bring in and develop alongside Verrall to hopefully be a longterm option post Gawn.

Until then whats wrong with bringing in a mature decent back up Ruckman who can compete at AFL level if/when Max is out or needs a rest which is likely to happen in the next two seasons?

Edited September 24, 2024Sep 24 by Young Blood

37 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

Make some suggestions. Ones that would be happy to play behind Max / for Casey for a few years. Worked out great with Grundy...

I imagine the club is looking at younger rucks across the comp to bring in and develop alongside Verrall to hopefully be a longterm option post Gawn.

Until then whats wrong with bringing in a mature decent back up Ruckman who can compete at AFL level if/when Max is out or needs a rest which is likely to happen in the next two seasons?

The choice right now is pay Campbell 200k for 1-2 years and hope Verrall or others can take over.

Or give up a pick and pay Soldo 500k for multiple years for similar results.

I think I’d rather bank the useful pick and extra 300k and use that to target players in more important roles than back up ruck.

Obviously it would be nice if we had some trade momentum to adding a best 22 player to justify the cheap ruck option.

13 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

The choice right now is pay Campbell 200k for 1-2 years and hope Verrall or others can take over.

Or give up a pick and pay Soldo 500k for multiple years for similar results.

I think I’d rather bank the useful pick and extra 300k and use that to target players in more important roles than back up ruck.

Obviously it would be nice if we had some trade momentum to adding a best 22 player to justify the cheap ruck option.

The Norwood Medal winner should be seriously considered as he is a good footballer. 200cm and can play up forward. Maybe one of  our 3 Rd rounders might secure him? 

I’m a fan of this. List profile needs another ruck, he’s free and sits happily as a back up.
 

Also, seem to remember when Verrall came to the club his highlights had him taking some good marks playing as a forward. Wouldn’t take a huge preseason of improvement to push Fullarton down the list. 

On 24/09/2024 at 14:18, DeeSpencer said:

The choice right now is pay Campbell 200k for 1-2 years and hope Verrall or others can take over.

Or give up a pick and pay Soldo 500k for multiple years for similar results.

I think I’d rather bank the useful pick and extra 300k and use that to target players in more important roles than back up ruck.

Obviously it would be nice if we had some trade momentum to adding a best 22 player to justify the cheap ruck option.

Soldo is leaving his second team because he can't get the #1 ruck spot.  He ain't coming to play second fiddle to Max

3 hours ago, Travy14 said:

Soldo is leaving his second team because he can't get the #1 ruck spot.  He ain't coming to play second fiddle to Max

Have you seen where he’s going?

He’s leaving because he can’t get a game behind Jordon Sweet, there’s not a club in Melbourne he would start at.

On 23/09/2024 at 19:16, adonski said:

Is there a point of keeping Fullarton on the list?

Nup,poor list decision initially an now!

13 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Have you seen where he’s going?

He’s leaving because he can’t get a game behind Jordon Sweet, there’s not a club in Melbourne he would start at.

He is going to a club who hasn't had a number 1 ruck in 10 years.  It's a perfect landing spot for him.

Also had a crack at Rich after leaving there, now only had one year at Port and sooked it up again.  Reeks of the wrong attitude 

46 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

He is going to a club who hasn't had a number 1 ruck in 10 years.  It's a perfect landing spot for him.

Also had a crack at Rich after leaving there, now only had one year at Port and sooked it up again.  Reeks of the wrong attitude 

Rowan Marshall isn’t a number 1 ruck? That’s a bold call 

Recruiting Tom Campbell as ruck depth is a pragmatic stop-gap move for 2025. 

4 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Rowan Marshall isn’t a number 1 ruck? That’s a bold call 

Sorry I read that Geel were interested, Saints is a silly move for him

19 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

Sorry I read that Geel were interested, Saints is a silly move for him

West Coast might be the only club in the comp he’d start at right now and there’s no way they’d be keen. He’s better than Stanley but the Cats will try to play either Conway or SDK next year is my guess.

At the end of the day he’s happier being a back up in Melbourne than in Adelaide.

Marshall’s good as far as rucks go as a forward so they’ll probably play 2 rucks a bit. You could play 2 rucks all the time if they had mobile tall forwards rather than Max King.

Just now, DeeSpencer said:

West Coast might be the only club in the comp he’d start at right now and there’s no way they’d be keen. He’s better than Stanley but the Cats will try to play either Conway or SDK next year is my guess.

At the end of the day he’s happier being a back up in Melbourne than in Adelaide.

Marshall’s good as far as rucks go as a forward so they’ll probably play 2 rucks a bit. You could play 2 rucks all the time if they had mobile tall forwards rather than Max King.

I hope Saints do it, they will become more irrelevant taking a top 5 ruck out of his best position.  Conway I think is 2 pre seasons away, he will be good but doesn't have the tank.  SDK is laughable as a ruck.

He shoukd be sticking it out at Port and making the position his.  It's pretty [censored] weak.  No probs going to Adel when the contract was offered to him.  Cry baby vibes to me.

32 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

I hope Saints do it, they will become more irrelevant taking a top 5 ruck out of his best position.  Conway I think is 2 pre seasons away, he will be good but doesn't have the tank.  SDK is laughable as a ruck.

He shoukd be sticking it out at Port and making the position his.  It's pretty [censored] weak.  No probs going to Adel when the contract was offered to him.  Cry baby vibes to me.

I suspect Port are just as happy to ditch the salary and promote Dante Visentini to back up so he can play some games and sign on long term. 

50 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I suspect Port are just as happy to ditch the salary and promote Dante Visentini to back up so he can play some games and sign on long term. 

Oh it's a win win for Port.  Get the $$ off the books and have a Ruck doing as good if not better and a young ok looking ruck

Tom Campbell is a waste of time. 32, no better than Fullerton.

39 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

Tom Campbell is a waste of time. 32, no better than Fullerton.

Arguably the best performed VFL ruck in 2024 aside from Ned Moyle and Nick Bryan who are both young and in contract and would not come to sit behind Gawn as a plan B option let alone the cost to acquire them.

Make sense to me as a no/low cost 2025 solution.   

Today's just proves why it's incredibly important to have an experienced and well seasoned back up ruck ready to go when needed.

You think Chris Fagan wouldn't have breathed a sigh of relief knowing he's got a solid back up there ready to go after big O went down.

As Max Gawn has said this week, Darcy Fort just needs to compete and scrag Grundy all day. Simple task.

10 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Today's just proves why it's incredibly important to have an experienced and well seasoned back up ruck ready to go when needed.

You think Chris Fagan wouldn't have breathed a sigh of relief knowing he's got a solid back up there ready to go after big O went down.

As Max Gawn has said this week, Darcy Fort just needs to compete and scrag Grundy all day. Simple task.

Then watch how it played out. Didn’t just neutralise Grundy but IMO slammed him.

Tom Campbell’s not at Fort’s level but the theory is plain for all to see. 

You just need that competent backup. Grand finals are littered with these performances 

49 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Then watch how it played out. Didn’t just neutralise Grundy but IMO slammed him.

Tom Campbell’s not at Fort’s level but the theory is plain for all to see. 

Similar if not better.

Campbell's VFL numbers are a lot better then Forts just fyi.

Let’s get him in, Campbell covers off our weakest link and we can then focus on bringing in 5-6 draftees and youngish players plus Yze to bolster our stocks to build suitable depth for another crack at finals.

On 23/09/2024 at 21:08, dazzledavey36 said:

I do not mind this at all.

And to all the people whinging that they would rather Harry Boyd instead, just tell me exactly how that happens in a draft where it's a complete lottery.

You are not even guaranteed that he'll be available at any of our selections and yet people are screaming they much prefer that then a free hit at this option 

What Tom Campbell brings is another senior mature and experienced body who'll provide some much needed leadership and guidance to our VFL team. He's a fantastic character who's one of the most hard working and dedicated guys going around with a team first attitude. An absolute workhorse.

He's also a ripping fella who's done a lot for the AFL community in general. Talk about bringing in people to help shift the culture and standards, well Tommy will certainly help, especially with our younger players.

Gawny isn't getting any younger, he'll need a decent chop out next year and part of me doesn't see him getting through the year again without injury. This is whether Campbell will be able to come in if need and play his role.

He smashed it in the VFL this year and his numbers were elite so worse case is that he's making Casey a whole heap better.

We need a good back up to Gawn. Look what happened with the lions and Darcy Fort.