Who starts as our Ruckman?

[Gershwin]

Longer
Pierce
Marshall

[dragit]

WWCD - what would cho do?

Big Bill.

[Ghost Like]

A Pierce / Marshall combo will do me. Fingers crossed Alabakis shows enough at training and in the twos to get a game later in the year.

[stonecold]

If all fit, the answer is easy!!!!!




Not Hickledik!!!!!

[The_Dud]

Gresh would contribute more in the ruck than Bill, so hopefully they start with Pierce!

[stonecold]

Gresh would contribute more in the ruck than Bill, so hopefully they start with Pierce!

Entitled to your opinion, although it does highlight your total lack of knowledge on Ruckwork again!!!!!

Happy posting all the same Dudley!!!!!

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Longer. Pearce and Marshall not ready yet.

[Dis Believer]

Acres?

[SydneySainter]

If all fit, the answer is easy!!!!!




Not Hickledik!!!!!

And you call me obsessed??

[stonecold]

If all fit, the answer is easy!!!!!




Not Hickledik!!!!!

And you call me obsessed??

Did i?????

It's called humor, try it some time, I might just brighten your life a little!!!!!

[Viscount Jeremiah]

Lewis and Marshall as backup.

Longer shouldn't even get a look unless both are injured

[samuraisaint]

Longer. Pearce and Marshall not ready yet.

Pierce has been on the list for seven years and he's not ready yet? Marshall was rucking against grown men in the VFL before Mason Cox was playing, so if not now; when?
However, I actually agree with you. Neither Marshall, nor Pierce dominated when they were given their chance in the final six rounds and we lost every single game during that time, which doesn't bode well for the future, and really does say a lot about where we have been for a while. Roo, Joey, Gilbo and Shinner covered over the cracks in 2015-17, for mine.
Marshall can play up forward though.

Stoney - honest question; if Hickey really develops at the Eagles and can hold down a ruck role there, do you think Billy might look at a change of clubs at the end of 2019 to get to a club which offers ruck coaching and development opportunities to help him meet his full potential? Because I think I probably might if I was him.

EFA - thanks Dragit

[dragit]

7th year for Pierce.

[skeptic]

Marshall is a lock in the team as a key position players that pinch hits in the ruck.

Outside of that I’m happy with either Longer or Pierce provided they’re picked on form.

That said, surely Longer gets first crack

[darylcowie]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

[skeptic]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

Agreed.

My hope would be that if Longer doesn’t improve markedly that Pierce will get the opportunity for an extended run for development like Billy has

[Freebird]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

Agreed.

My hope would be that if Longer doesn’t improve markedly that Pierce will get the opportunity for an extended run for development like Billy has

Hickey was a dud..played 3 good games GWS and Melb only averaged 1-2 marks per game normally on his own and surprised if he was in a position to take a pack mark.
The problem on this site, everyone remembers his good games and because he's been out injured so often he's not around to change people's thoughts.
He will play early for westcoast until he exposes his inefficiencies. Won't last long..

[Raph Goat Clarke]

Ben McGlynn said today at the closed training session that Billy is currently firmly the first choice ruck - also said keep an eye on Marshall, didn't say much on Pierce.

[skeptic]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

Agreed.

My hope would be that if Longer doesn’t improve markedly that Pierce will get the opportunity for an extended run for development like Billy has

Hickey was a dud..played 3 good games GWS and Melb only averaged 1-2 marks per game normally on his own and surprised if he was in a position to take a pack mark.
The problem on this site, everyone remembers his good games and because he's been out injured so often he's not around to change people's thoughts.
He will play early for westcoast until he exposes his inefficiencies. Won't last long..

Why are you quoting my post... I was talking about Longer and Pierce. Billy deserves first crack and needs to improve. If not I hope Pierce is given a fair go to stake his claim.

What’s Hickey got to do with it? He’s gone.

[Cairnsman]

Ben McGlynn said today at the closed training session that Billy is currently firmly the first choice ruck - also said keep an eye on Marshall, didn't say much on Pierce.

Is this the breakout year for the No. 8 DP?

[Yorkeys]

Depends on Billy staying sound and improving around the ground play. May be first pick against other very large rucks but not necessarily so against lesser behemoths. A dilemma for the club is how to give Lewis a fair go and develop whatever talent he has while Billy is first choice. History shows Billy gets regularly injured possibly due to his hard physical style of play and limited natural athleticism. Alternate ruck contestants will be interesting. Marshall may become second ruck while otherwise lurking forward, while Billy beats the opposition rucks into submission. There may also be a policy of managing the rucks so Lewis as a relief pitcher keeps Billy fresh and fills in if he isn't 100%. Wouldn't be surprised if Lewis over took Billy later in the year, but. In any case you would get astronomical odds on Billy ever being in a premiership team. Of course ironically Tom H is already playing for the current premiers.

[kosifantutti]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

Agreed.

My hope would be that if Longer doesn’t improve markedly that Pierce will get the opportunity for an extended run for development like Billy has

Hickey was a dud..played 3 good games GWS and Melb only averaged 1-2 marks per game normally on his own and surprised if he was in a position to take a pack mark.
The problem on this site, everyone remembers his good games and because he's been out injured so often he's not around to change people's thoughts.
He will play early for westcoast until he exposes his inefficiencies. Won't last long..

I must have watched a different Hickey. Actually, I checked the stats and it seems I did watch a different Hickey.

[stonecold]

It has to be Longer, the best tap ruckman of an ordinary trio.

Marshall is the best around the ground option to chop out each quarter, but spend more time drifting forward and back, which Longer doesn't have the tank to do and even if he did he can't take a mark!

Pierce is second choice, but has similar issues to Longer re tank and marking.

Agreed.

My hope would be that if Longer doesn’t improve markedly that Pierce will get the opportunity for an extended run for development like Billy has

Hickey was a dud..played 3 good games GWS and Melb only averaged 1-2 marks per game normally on his own and surprised if he was in a position to take a pack mark.
The problem on this site, everyone remembers his good games and because he's been out injured so often he's not around to change people's thoughts.
He will play early for westcoast until he exposes his inefficiencies. Won't last long..

I must have watched a different Hickey. Actually, I checked the stats and it seems I did watch a different Hickey.

You and your stats Kossi!!!!!

[kosifantutti]

I try not to make them up.

[ListManager]

I would give Sam Alambakis first crack. He just smashed his 3km PB by more than a minute.