A theory on Longer

[gringo]

Was wondering if Longer would take a couple of years but he's flying. I think he's third in hit outs across the league. Anyway, the Hawks had a few good ruck men that could never get on the park after they knocked off Geelong in the GF. Geelong has struggled for ruck man since losing Ottens. Most good clubs need 2 high grade ruck men in case of injury. If we end up with 4 we can think about trading one out.

Who are the good clubs that have 2 genunine ruckmen? Hawks is one. Struggling for a second club.

Most have two who are up to standard at least not always playing together.

[Richter]

Everyone is presuming that the sub rule will be scrapped next year. Which will mean a return to the days of 4 on the interchange bench. That will mean that some clubs will play two Rickman - like we used to do with Gardiner and King rotating. So that might mean that Longer and Hickey will get more games together.

At this stage we have two AFL quality ducks - Holmes and Pierce might well have some potential but they are entirely unproven at the highest level for the time being. If either of them develop further, particularly Pierce, then sure we may look at trading one of Pierce and Hickey. At this stage Longer is the clear number 1 ruckman though who won't be traded IMO.

Some quality mis-spelling in there Richter. Two Rickmans. "By Grabthar's hammer, you shall be avenged". Obtuse. Oh well it amuseth me.

Lol. Don't know how to switch off the autocorrect on my new computer!

[plugger66]

Was wondering if Longer would take a couple of years but he's flying. I think he's third in hit outs across the league. Anyway, the Hawks had a few good ruck men that could never get on the park after they knocked off Geelong in the GF. Geelong has struggled for ruck man since losing Ottens. Most good clubs need 2 high grade ruck men in case of injury. If we end up with 4 we can think about trading one out.

Who are the good clubs that have 2 genunine ruckmen? Hawks is one. Struggling for a second club.

Most have two who are up to standard at least not always playing together.

I would say all have at least 2 ruckmen. Should have 3 but as I said I cant think of many who play 2 ruckmen. Alright who of the finals sides who have 2 high grade ruckmen even if not playing together?

[perfectionist]

Billy is good as long as he doesn't get the ball and is forced to kick. He will handball almost every time, or at least attempt to handball. The other teams are alert to this though. Ben, on the other hand, has good foot skills, on both sides, which accounts for him being a No 5 draft pick. No wonder the Hawks wanted him.

[FQF]

Billy is good as long as he doesn't get the ball and is forced to kick. He will handball almost every time, or at least attempt to handball. The other teams are alert to this though. Ben, on the other hand, has good foot skills, on both sides, which accounts for him being a No 5 draft pick. No wonder the Hawks wanted him.

Um..

Ben was pick 9
Billy was pick 8

[lewdogs]

Bump ... ?

[Con Gorozidis]

I think we will keep our advantage in Rucks for a while yet. Why trade away an advantage? This is a problem every side wants. Why are people so eager to trade this away. Lets sit back and wait. If someone throws us a top 10 pick for a ruckman then we should take it. But until then, lets enjoy our competitive advantage. I think we did that with Stanley. We would have kept him but when pick 21 came a knocking - we had to take it. Let them come to us. We hold the aces.

[supersaints]

Just can't understand why we would trade any ruck-man out, they can only All improve with a couple more seasons, if we get rid if one it would be premature. Glad none of you guys have anything to do with the list.... They were high draft picks ( except for Jason) for a reason rucks are a very valued by all ( except GT , maybe he brainwashed you all!)
Seems to me the club seems to know what they are doing. Longer came on leaps and bounds, Hickey being held back seems to have him improve.
We do have the ability at present to have a pure tap ruckman, a mobile ruck forward and a guy who can leap with Nic Nat, and tap the ball, to clear advantage - all the cards are falling in the right places.. Let's see what happens over the next few seasons. iMO It would be extremely short sighted to offer any if out ruck stocks for trade bait.

[plugger66]

Just can't understand why we would trade any ruck-man out, they can only All improve with a couple more seasons, if we get rid if one it would be premature. Glad none of you guys have anything to do with the list.... They were high draft picks ( except for Jason) for a reason rucks are a very valued by all ( except GT , maybe he brainwashed you all!)
Seems to me the club seems to know what they are doing. Longer came on leaps and bounds, Hickey being held back seems to have him improve.
We do have the ability at present to have a pure tap ruckman, a mobile ruck forward and a guy who can leap with Nic Nat, and tap the ball, to clear advantage - all the cards are falling in the right places.. Let's see what happens over the next few seasons. iMO It would be extremely short sighted to offer any if out ruck stocks for trade bait.

Clubs seemed happy to trade them to us. Most clubs now get their ruckmen from other clubs. No way can 3 play next year in the one side but I agree we need insurance but what we need more is Hickey playing as our Goldstein. He has the ability to become that. Longer and Holmes will never be possession winners and can clearly only ruck which means Hickey never becomes our Goldstein unfortunately.

[Toy Saint]

Well I don't think we can carry THREE premium ruckman in the same team for too long. If we were offered a 1st round draft choice, I'd be tempted.

The performance of our ruck trio really justifies the decision to trade McEvoy and Stanley.

[skeptic]

Well I don't think we can carry THREE premium ruckman in the same team for too long. If we were offered a 1st round draft choice, I'd be tempted.

The performance of our ruck trio really justifies the decision to trade McEvoy and Stanley.

Yes but which of our rucks is premium?

Hickey shows the most promise but questions have to be raised about where he has been all season, why he's been behind Longer - I suspect he may have been injured a bit more that what he has been credited. I reckon his foot has flared from time to time and they have tried limit his running hence he has played forward or been in the VFL managing the injury.

Longer has potential but has been a battler at best this season

Holmes shows promise but that's all

Pierce hasn't developed as we would have liked but has potential

I for one am happy with things how they are. Why trade? Give Pierce more time to develop and rotate through the other three... at this stage Hickey with one of Longer/Pierce

Don't bother recruiting anymore rucks

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Rucks are often injured remember. Handy to have three good ones.

Holmes has the potential to become a major cult figure and a clearance specialist so should be retained at all costs.

[SuperDuper]

From all reports, Pierce did well today, after finally getting a shot at rucking solo at Sandy...

Pierce is still only 20. It seems to me that he is developing nicely. He seems to also be filling out.

If the club believe Pierce is on track to be good, and in particular if he looks set to be a capable back up at AFL level next year, then the option of trading a ruckman becomes more real. I am not sure that we need 4 AFL ready ruckmen....

Several teams may be looking for a ruck... off the top pf my head (happy to be corrected):
Sydney, GWS (do they have anyone other than the Mummy?), WBulldogs, Freo (how long can Sandi keep going?)

[bigred]

I honestly reckon the club will go fishing for three picks in the top twenty five.

And a ruck might be offered up.

Just an idea. We have too many rucks I reckon.

[Gershwin]

From all reports, Pierce did well today, after finally getting a shot at rucking solo at Sandy...

Pierce is still only 20. It seems to me that he is developing nicely. He seems to also be filling out.

If the club believe Pierce is on track to be good, and in particular if he looks set to be a capable back up at AFL level next year, then the option of trading a ruckman becomes more real. I am not sure that we need 4 AFL ready ruckmen....

Several teams may be looking for a ruck... off the top pf my head (happy to be corrected):
Sydney, GWS (do they have anyone other than the Mummy?), WBulldogs, Freo (how long can Sandi keep going?)

I think we may be getting ahead of ourselves by saying we will have 4 AFL ready ruckmen. I would be happy to leave it as it is for next season and expect improvement from all 4 of them. Reassess the situation in 12 months time.

[samuraisaint]

We seem to be doing very well out of trading ruck men lately. Got fantastic value for both Macca and Stanley.

Now don't get me wrong, I am as rapt as anyone to see Billy coming on. But we have a real surplus of good rucks, and especially if Holmes comes through. From what I've seen of Holmes, he could potentially be the best tap ruck man in the AFL.

So the theory is this… could Billy be possible trade bait? Maybe netting us an elite mid? What would you take for Billy?

If he continues to develop as he is, his value will be huge.

Is your avatar Howard Arkley?

[Rosco]

From all reports, Pierce did well today, after finally getting a shot at rucking solo at Sandy...

Pierce is still only 20. It seems to me that he is developing nicely. He seems to also be filling out.

If the club believe Pierce is on track to be good, and in particular if he looks set to be a capable back up at AFL level next year, then the option of trading a ruckman becomes more real. I am not sure that we need 4 AFL ready ruckmen....

Several teams may be looking for a ruck... off the top pf my head (happy to be corrected):
Sydney, GWS (do they have anyone other than the Mummy?), WBulldogs, Freo (how long can Sandi keep going?)

Essendon need a ruck. Longer plus pick 24 for Carlisle *dreaming*

[Jacks Back]

Maybe the AFL could include a 23rd man just for ruckmen who can swap anytime as a 23rd man. That would remove a problem with trying to fit 2 ruckmen in the side.

[Armoooo]

From all reports, Pierce did well today, after finally getting a shot at rucking solo at Sandy...

Pierce is still only 20. It seems to me that he is developing nicely. He seems to also be filling out.

If the club believe Pierce is on track to be good, and in particular if he looks set to be a capable back up at AFL level next year, then the option of trading a ruckman becomes more real. I am not sure that we need 4 AFL ready ruckmen....

Several teams may be looking for a ruck... off the top pf my head (happy to be corrected):
Sydney, GWS (do they have anyone other than the Mummy?), WBulldogs, Freo (how long can Sandi keep going?)

Essendon need a ruck. Longer plus pick 24 for Carlisle *dreaming*

Ewww... An uncontracted player who has openly stated that his club is f***ed and has a potential 2 year suspension over his head for one of the absolute best young rucks in the comp AND a pick in the top 25?!?

I wouldn't be happy with giving up Longer by himself.

[magnifisaint]

Billy is good as long as he doesn't get the ball and is forced to kick. He will handball almost every time, or at least attempt to handball. The other teams are alert to this though. Ben, on the other hand, has good foot skills, on both sides, which accounts for him being a No 5 draft pick. No wonder the Hawks wanted him.

Don't think so