2018 Rd 15: Pre Game Prattle: Carlton vs Brisbane

[crashlander]

Some averages from this year.

Hitouts
Phillips - 34/game
Kreuzer - 24
Casboult - 8
McKay - 1

Possessions
Kreuzer - 14/game
Casboult - 9
Phillips - 8
McKay - 8

Goals
McKay - 2/game
Casboult - 1.3
Phillips - 0.75
Kruezer - 0.5

What does it all mean?
1. Phillips is better in the hitouts than Kreuzer and should take most of the rucking contests.
2. Kreuzer gets more of the ball and should play as a roaming ruck.
3. Despite Phillips playing as the #1 ruck he only scores 0.6 goals a game less than the (largely stay at home) forward Casboult, so should rest down there
4. Phillips conversion rate over his career is 77% compared to Casboults 57% (which doesn't include copious amounts of OOB shots)
5. McKay offers basically nothing as a backup ruck option or around the ground.

Overall i think Kreuzer is running at 80% and McKay can't play backup ruck. Phillips is a much better ruck than casboult and given more time up forward could match his output there as well. As stated he is a mere 0.6 goals a game behind casboult this season, despite playing a small % up forward in comparison.

You say we are 1 player down playing 2 rucks.
I'm saying we are 1 player down playing an undperforming casboult already.

I happen to agree with you. The MC doesn't often.
McKay will offer more in the ruck in time. As will Casboult when he is fit and in form. But neither of those are likely today.