Our ruck situation

[Life Long Saint]

Given the performance of Hunter last night, it is patently obvious that he can not play senior football for us ever again.
McKernan is no better but at least can provide something around the ground.

Our choices if Marshall and/or Ryder are not available for ANZAC day are limited.
I'll be interested to see how Alabakis goes today. He must be worth a try instead of Hunter.
Short of that, we might need to do something radical like ruck Joyce (who is only 2cm shorter than Ryder). At least offer a contest at the centre bounce and have the capacity to run for the game.

In all our losses we've been totally dominated in the ruck.
It can't continue.

[saynta]

Alabakis is at least AFL fit.

[Sanctorum]

When throughout the pre-season the players have been practicing clearances from ruck contests with Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall tapping the ball down the throats of our midfielders, it is to be expected that when not just one, but both ruckmen are unavailable, that this causes a massive breakdown in the understanding between the players at stoppages.

This was clearly obvious in the heavy losses to Essendon and Richmond because Paul Hunter does not have the experience to play 1st ruck, and Jake Carlisle while he hasn't been too bad is new at the craft. Last night Nankervis had an absolute picnic in the ruck contests and the Richmond midfielders thought it was Christmas!

With Marshall stated by Ratten to play next week, his combination with Jake Carlisle should see a vast improvement in clearance numbers against Port.

I have been calling for St Kilda to recruit Sandringham Dragons rookie Max Heath in the June draft as I believe he has the potential to play a major role in St Kilda's future:

https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2020/09 ... vic-metro/

[Life Long Saint]

I hate being overly critical of AFL players because I was never good or brave enough to play at any kind of level.
But we had this playing for us last night.

[B.M]

Take the two best rucks out of any team

The ruck situation would be poor

Name a team with a good 3rd string ruck option??

Hunter was awful

[lefty]

Please try Alabakis.

When Marlion Pickett at 184cm was winning the ruck tap outs, its kind of ridiculous, to the point that we might as well try something different.

[B.M]

Pickett won 2 hit outs, when the bounce favoured him.

[Devilhead]

Alabakis is at least AFL fit.

3 possessions in the VFL says no

[Devilhead]

We need to recruit a proper developing top ruck from the TAC / U18 comp - not an ex-basketballer who didn't touch a footy until he was 16

[SaintPav]

I wish we had Holmes

[B.M]

Holmes is about 34 now!

He was nearly 30 when we delisted him

[SaintPav]

Problem?

[samuraisaint]

Marshall and Ryder in next Sunday.

[CQ SAINT]

Problem?

I think he shrunk. Old age.

[bangaulegend]

Alabakis is at least AFL fit.

3 possessions in the VFL says no

Alabaskis has been in the system a few years now & hasn't really progressed . IMO I doubt he will get to play at the highest level .

[skeptic]

Alabakis!!!??

Seriously? Let’s pick the young project ruck that’s only played VFL and never remotely looked close to being selected

Geeez I’ve read some dumb stuff but this seriously takes the cake

While we’re at it... drop Howard for Joyce and redraft Paddy McCartin

[Ghost Like]

I understand the want to drop Hunter but can we leave his desire, determination & heart on the field? If a dozen others who played last Thursday had similar qualities the result would not have been as embarrassing.

[Sainternist]

Perhaps we could put Brad Hill on stilts and try him out in the ruck.

[SaintPav]

Alabakis!!!??

Seriously? Let’s pick the young project ruck that’s only played VFL and never remotely looked close to being selected

Geeez I’ve read some dumb stuff but this seriously takes the cake

While we’re at it... drop Howard for Joyce and redraft Paddy McCartin

Brad Howard?

[SaintPav]

Problem?

I think he shrunk. Old age.

Are you still hammered?

Be honest.

[SemperFidelis]

I understand the want to drop Hunter but can we leave his desire, determination & heart on the field? If a dozen others who played last Thursday had similar qualities the result would not have been as embarrassing.

Yep. This

[SemperFidelis]

When throughout the pre-season the players have been practicing clearances from ruck contests with Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall tapping the ball down the throats of our midfielders, it is to be expected that when not just one, but both ruckmen are unavailable, that this causes a massive breakdown in the understanding between the players at stoppages.

This was clearly obvious in the heavy losses to Essendon and Richmond because Paul Hunter does not have the experience to play 1st ruck, and Jake Carlisle while he hasn't been too bad is new at the craft. Last night Nankervis had an absolute picnic in the ruck contests and the Richmond midfielders thought it was Christmas!

With Marshall stated by Ratten to play next week, his combination with Jake Carlisle should see a vast improvement in clearance numbers against Port.

I have been calling for St Kilda to recruit Sandringham Dragons rookie Max Heath in the June draft as I believe he has the potential to play a major role in St Kilda's future:

https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2020/09 ... vic-metro/

Sanctorum, have you seen Heath play a bit? Am interested in your thoughts.

[CQ SAINT]

Problem?

I think he shrunk. Old age.

Are you still hammered?

Be honest.

Not funny. I'm a reformed bulls*** artist.

[SaintPav]

Problem?

I think he shrunk. Old age.

Are you still hammered?

Be honest.

Not funny. I'm a reformed bulls*** artist.

Well, you said it (about being pissed) so don't be so touchy.

[sunsaint]

Alabakis!!!??

Seriously? Let’s pick the young project ruck that’s only played VFL and never remotely looked close to being selected

Geeez I’ve read some dumb stuff but this seriously takes the cake

While we’re at it... drop Howard for Joyce and redraft Paddy McCartin

yeah and you could argue that hes not even fit for VFL level
At this point he is 24 and looking like he will never make it - very surprised he remained on our list last year but there you go.
Hardwick raised an interesting point about the mid year draft - that players contracted at clubs not getting a chance could be made available in what I could only described as a loan situation.
However he highlighted a player on their list Ryan Sampson and said he is ready to go at AFL level
His bio states 206cm 100kg and highly skilled