(06-17-2020, 06:40 AM)flyboy77 date Wrote:It's way too early to judge Pittonet but nothing to suggest (currently) he's not the equal or better of 3 of the first 4 mentioned. Marshall is (currently) a better player.All players had a start, it doesn't count for much.
My point - in response to your original comments - is that there is nothing to suggest Pittonet can't be a very capable first ruck. Big unit (202cm, 105kg) with mongrel, good mark, not slow, appears durable and has an excellent work ethic.
https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/46124...recognised
Special K is all but dusted sadly, Gawn is 29 this year (121 games now, had only played 20 odd games at Pittonet's age) , Grundy is 26 with 134 games), Naitanui just hit 30, 168 games.
I'm not sure it's viable to consider VFL rucking as a valid comparison to AFL. If it was how can it be Nick Meese languished his whole career in the VFL, he was the VFL's dominant ruck for almost a decade?
We all wish Pittonet well, but wishes do not count for much and it will be another 2 or 3 seasons before we get the genuine answer. If we wait until then to put an backup plan in place we've burned the careers of Cripps and others. I'd much rather put that time into De Koning as he seems to have potential beyond Pittonet, or perhaps another kid. So for me Pittonet is a place holder, even if I wish him well.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"