M_9

I go with Sparrow on Reid. He went OK on Holmes. Limited him to 17 disposals and no score.

Judging by his performance against Xerri I'd certainly agree. But where does he rest? It would have to be on the bench. Like TC, AJ would be competing against the opposition's second ruckman. David King, Gerard Healy et al have shown, with stats, there's absolutely no correlation between ruck dominance and clearances. I posted those figures elsewhere on this forum. We had the same number of clearances as Cats and Freo despite Max dominating.

Not so sure. Last time TC kicked a goal at AFL level was nearly 4 years ago (Rd 10 2021). I'd prefer AJ. More chance of adding to our score. Unlike TC can rest forward.

My bad, although I did say 2 goals every three games, so I was right on the money.

Who has the club got to teach JvR how to play as a forward? Chaplin? Chocco? Mark Jackson?!

Including the pre-season match v Freo and his round one game AJ has kicked 2.4. (1.2 each game). They're the figures I went with.

The beauty of having Max is that he's a great ruck rover. As you say, he can take it out of the ruck. The anomaly is that the stats don't reflect this. This thread is about our next game. We need to better utilise Max's dominance. He's good enough to win a Brownlow, as his last two games have shown. Similarly JvR, IMO, has the potential to be a very good KPF. But not if he has to ruck. TC is 'break glass' - too old and not proven. AJ currently the best option. Fit enough to cover all bar centre square ball ups? Probably not. But can play forward, kick two goals every three weeks (more than Max), and throw some weight around.

A ruck contest is simply a way to restart the game. Winning a ruck contest has become completely irrelevant. Gerard Healy said exactly this on Saturday after analysing the third quarter of our Thursday night game. Only one of Max's hit-outs in the third quarter, which we dominated, was a hit to advantage. Max has been the best player on the ground by a country mile in our last two games. Was his ruck work of any benefit to us as regard clearances? Marginal in round 6; zero benefit in rounds 4 and 7. Hitouts v Dockers +12. Clearances +5 Htouts v Tigers +8. Clearances 38 each Hitouts v Cats +7. Clearances 32 each. A team with 'ordinary rucks'. We do not need Max to be involved in ruck comtests all over the ground.

Exactly. Meek was keeping an eye on Stanley oblivious to the fact that Bilcavs was taking the boundary throw ins.

An apology if this has been mentioned elsewhere: David King analysed Chris Scott's use of two ruckman (Stanley and Bilcavs) v the Hawks. Meek was confused when Stanley essentially only contested ball ups in and around the square and Bilcavs took all others and boundary throw ins. Meek was caught out numerous times. King reckons the Cats have been using this ploy for three years. I'd like to see us trying a similar strategy with Max ie Max staying between the arcs but not out to the wings. I know it would mean he wouldn't be taking those clutch marks both deep forward and deep back. If JvR plays he plays as a permanent forward in my team. It's the only way he'll develop. AJ rucks outside the square if he has the fitness. TC won't be part of our next flag. A slim chance AJ will. Maybe Turner doing some rucking if playing in the backline.

The very reason I'd have AJ ahead of Campbell. He's some 8 years younger.

My mate asked Alan Richardson at one of our preseason games why Fullerton hadn't got a game. 'lack of a competitive nature' was the reason he gave. Strange recruit given our experience with Schache and Weid.

I hope the Demon Army wrote the text. We don't want the teams running a banner that reads: 'Lets wee for Jett'

Solution - second wear is inside out. Third wear is swap feet. One wash every three weeks.

Thoroughly agree with this. A lot of his work goes unnoticed - deft kicks and the like.

I've NFI how JvR is expected to learn his craft as a forward if he's rucking for up to 10 minutes each quarter. Fullerton had 6 hitouts and went OK. IMO he stays until JvR shows a bit at Casey (not rucking). Only Fullerton or AJ to ruck.

I'm tipping none of those will play a senior game this year.

I agree. Of our 45 listed players I think the following are 'dead wood' or will be shown to be: Billings, McAdam, Campbell, Henderson, Kentfield, Hore, Verrall, Adams, Mentha, and Sestan. That's 25% of our list. I'm unsure about AJ and Sharp. I have hope for MJ and Culley. I think we'll be 1-12 by the King's Birthday and Goody will be moved on. Dark days ahead methinks.

I think you're right. You're definitely right as far as Petty is concerned. His (very) few standout games in the past 18 months have been those where he's taken 8-10 marks.

I'll see you, and raise you. Tom Campbell. 33yo and 58 games (at three clubs).

Brick walls have bones?

Spargo's banner from last week has been patched together and will get another run (100 now 101).

I've been saying the same for nigh on 12 months. His two kicks tonight included a Cats out on the full.