Does Stephen King's contract forbid him from tackling?

[Enrico_Misso]

King makes good contributions in the ruck.
And around the ground he is not afraid to present for a mark.

But once the ball hits the deck he ambles around at half pace and never commits to agressive tackles.
There were a number of times today when he just trotted past a contested situation when if he had committed himself he could have been the extra body in the contest to win a turn over.

With Gardiner playing so well I feel we would be better off blooding McEvoy.
Least he looks committed.

[mad saint guy]

I'm no longer convinced we need King in the side. He is just ok in the hitouts and does little around the ground. Gardiner has stepped up and right now is in the top 5 rucks in the competition. It could be a premature call but I wouldn't mind seeing McEvoy play as the second ruck. He was reasonable in the ruck contests and while not particularly quick, he's a smart, skillful player and can take some big grabs. King is useless overhead and doesn't get in dangerous positions.

But, it is probably best to see how we go against other elite ruckmen before making a call like that.

[saint75]

I swear after reading this forum that I must have been seeing a different game at Etihad today.

McEvoy in this stage of his career is no where near as good as King. Get some perspective for FFS. We cannot win by 80+ points every week. We won and we are 9-0. You don't go making wholesale changes because we didn't win by 80+.

[Legendary]

It's funny, because King was virtually the best ruckman in the league last year for tackles ...

[noob]

his so slow.

[Sobraz]

With the way Gards has come on, I'd prefer to see McEvoy as the second ruck...

His standard game would be not far off Kings, but his upside is far greater...

King is slow and clumsy... Good in the hitouts and body positioning, butonce the ball starts moving, he is out of the contest..

[nicko016]

It's fair to say that he is not at the same level as he was last year but a lot of that has been because he has become second fiddle to Gards. Yet, for me, it is still to early to swap him for McEvoy as he is still quite serviceable and another year mostly in the VFL won't do McEvoy any harm.

With regards to his tackling and pressure, it is definately down on last year, but last year it was very good so he still has the ability to lift in that area and hopefully he will. An important thing he adds is a physical presence against the other ruckmen which will become much more important once we go up against the better ruck combinations such as Geelongs. I bet they would look to exploit McEvoy if he were to be our second ruck. Plus, with both King and Gardiner as a tandem we can really grind down the other ruckmen which would probably be a bit harder with McEvoy.

Nevertheless, beyond this year there probably won't be room for both King and Gardiner. Until then, he can keep developing in the VFL, however, he may still get some chances playing up forward or in the ruck.

[battye]

King is still a long way ahead of McEvoy. Experience counts.

[Milton66]

Please tell me some one's taking the pyss here.

[Saint Bev]

I don't have a problem with King, but he has been off the boil since his injury.

[Solar]

interestingly they rucked kosi and gardiner for most of the final quarter, went shorter down back and forward. This allowed them to rest both dawson and king. Ross seemed to be upset about his match up's at three quarter time and being to tall could be the reason.

Thought went through my mind that perhaps macca could give us a little more flexibility.

[SaintWodonga]

King is still a long way ahead of McEvoy. Experience counts.

100% agree Battye.... I think King's experience is gold!

[vacuous space]

Gardiner's got two tackles for the year, King has 8.

I'm not sure why some people feel the need to take a crack at King. Yesterday was his second week back from an injury and, as far as I could tell from my seat, he went just fine again. Gardiner's getting more TOG and a bit more of the ball. King's been much better with his taps though. Both Gardiner and King had 7 hitouts to advantage yesterday. Mitch Clark had one. We dominated the ruck and the stoppages. It's a nice change having a good ruck combo given the last five years or so.

[Ghost Like]

If fit King must play. McEvoy's time will come. McEvoy and hopefully Stanley will have years ahead of them as our No. 1 ruck combo, just not this year or hopefully next.

A great position to be in knowing that's one base we have covered off for the future.

[Hurricane]

King is a ruckman FFS why does everyone expect to see him tackle and chase like a midfielder? He does his job which is too win the taps and give our runners first use

IMHO as long as he wins his share of hitouts and presents for marks in packs I dont have a problem with him.

BANG BANG

[perfectionist]

I suggest people have a look at the last six centre clearances before bagging King too much!

[james rose]

Whilst I wouldn't drop either of King or Gardiner from the team perhaps this week against Melbourne is an opportunity to rest one of them and get big mac a game?

Melbourne are struggling in the ruck and as a team so its not really a big risk and the experience will be vital for Mac if one of the ruckmen go down.

I too haven't enjoyed Kings last two weeks, think he has offered very little outside of the ruck duel (where granted he excels) but I'd be inclined to back him in or rest him (as in bring him back after a week off) rather than drop him.

[vacuous space]

I too haven't enjoyed Kings last two weeks, think he has offered very little outside of the ruck duel (where granted he excels) but I'd be inclined to back him in or rest him (as in bring him back after a week off) rather than drop him.

King had 8 disposals from 45% TOG against Essendon and 9 disposals from 47% TOG against Brisbane. That's a fair return from a ruckman. Gardiner's had 10 each of the last two weeks (55% TOG against Essendon, 57% against Brisbane with some time spent up forward in both games). Kings had 37 hitouts the last two weeks, 16 to advantage. Gardiner's had 46 hitouts, 10 to advantage.

I don't see a need to rest either with a week off coming up soon.

[St DAC]

From what I can glean the gist of the OP was because King "let" an opposition player or two run past him without tackling or chasing. I also saw that; my take on it was that Kingy just isn't quick enough to catch them, and after his little hammy injury probably isn't too keen to risk it again in a futile chase.

[james rose]

I too haven't enjoyed Kings last two weeks, think he has offered very little outside of the ruck duel (where granted he excels) but I'd be inclined to back him in or rest him (as in bring him back after a week off) rather than drop him.

King had 8 disposals from 45% TOG against Essendon and 9 disposals from 47% TOG against Brisbane. That's a fair return from a ruckman. Gardiner's had 10 each of the last two weeks (55% TOG against Essendon, 57% against Brisbane with some time spent up forward in both games). Kings had 37 hitouts the last two weeks, 16 to advantage. Gardiner's had 46 hitouts, 10 to advantage.

I don't see a need to rest either with a week off coming up soon.

I suppose my view of resting them is more to do with the opportunity to give mac a game rather than their bad form.

[vacuous space]

I suppose my view of resting them is more to do with the opportunity to give mac a game rather than their bad form.

I can understand wanting to see McEvoy again. I thought his game against Collingwood was really good. I really don't see Lyon moving away from the Gardiner/King combo though, unless forced to by injury.

[james rose]

same.

Would you be trying a few small changes this week? or keep going hell for leather?

[To the top]

Having gone out of his way to (correctly) address the rucking deficiency that cost us so much until his arrival at the club, I do not see Lyon telling either Gardiner or King he is going to rest them to give a 19 year old apprentice an opportunity.

No matter the potential that apprentice may have.

The only walk up starts to this team are Gram and Hudgden.

The remainder, including Dempster if he returns, will need to do what the Coach says and "bang the door down" week in and week out to earn an opportunity.

There is form loss and there are injuries.

So opportunity will come.

The good thing about good teams is that, when a mate is down a bit, others compensate.

The presence of Gram and Hudgden means a couple will not be afforded repeated opportunities if they under perform - and they will have to go back and "bang the door down".

Hudgden plays exclusively deep in defence, on both talls and smalls. Does not win a lot of the ball but is honest and is difficult to win a possession on. Keeps most forwards under very tight control.

Gram is a running, attacking mid-fielder.

They are the tasks they will be called on to perform upon their return.

[SainterK]

I suppose my view of resting them is more to do with the opportunity to give mac a game rather than their bad form.

I can understand wanting to see McEvoy again. I thought his game against Collingwood was really good. I really don't see Lyon moving away from the Gardiner/King combo though, unless forced to by injury.

I have a feeling he may be provoked into action, he is no longer our dominant ruckman after all...

[Legendary]

To the top, you are clearly very well educated and a critical thinking about the game ... one pet hate of mine is when player's names are spelt incorrectly.

Maxie's name is spelt "Hudghton".

Totally agree with the content of your post though.


King and Gardiner are not going anywhere unless it is through injury.