3rd man up - Hitouts increase

[Devilhead]

I've noticed this year that our mid-size onballers are increasingly using the 3rd man up option at ruck contests

2008 Hitout stats

Goddard - 8
Fisher - 8
Dal Santo - 7
Hayes - 7

2009 hitout stats after Round 5 this year

Goddard - 7
Hayes - 7
Dal Santo - 7
Ball - 2
Ray - 2

As you can see our mid sized onballers have already matched their 2008 hitout stats

Unfortunately being overseas I have been unable to see whether the 3rd man up has worked to our advantage ie:hitouts to advantage

Can anyone shed some light on this

Thanks

[saintsRrising]

I think that part of the reason is that Kosi is playing as a key forward...

and that Blake is mainly playing asa key back...

So others fill in more...including in third-man up situations.


Probably add in a measure too of the upped work-rate as well where all are working harder and are more willing to share the load.

[Sainterman]

I have noticed this a fair bit at ball ups around the ground. I think Lenny grabbed a couple out of the ruck on Friday night.

Seems to be a trend and something we have been doing regularly this year.