Like for like at the same stage of a career TDK would be well ahead of our other options.
By the same measure Pitto has actually gone backwards since 2021, yet we would all probably rate his ruck work at least equal to if not ahead of TDK at the moment. But I think it is horses for courses and my reasoning follows.
In fairness it's not realistic to make a direct comparison as they are polar opposite players, Pitto has only hit the scoreboard in one of his eight seasons because he is a D50 type ruck that sits behind play and closes space. TDK is a F50 type ruck that pushes forward and links play stretching opposition defences. One assists the KPDs, the other assists the KPFs.
I think sorting out the tap work is far easier than trying to turn one or the other into the opposite type of player. For me we should be playing both and using them accordingly when we want to set or control game momentum.
Midfield dominance has very little to do with tap work, you can often have tap dominance like when we had Warnock and also the way we have Mirkov in the VFL, and still be soundly beaten in the Midfield. Our problem isn't so much not having tap dominance, but not being able to put the brakes on opposition when we aren't winning the clearances.
You could run TDK as a Blicsav's type ruck, and give him the task to tackle ahead of winning tap work, ideally you want both, but rarely is that actually possible.
(04-26-2023, 10:38 PM)Baggers date Wrote:I was someone who went in to bat for TDK, and still would... but... what he has served up in 2023, to be as polite as I can be, has been very disappointing.The problem is the team form line influences the perceptions, ignoring the highlight reels from 2022, TDK has statistically improved from 2022. Whether the stats are valuable ranking tool or not is one issue, but if nothing else they are at least a relevant measure.
By the same measure Pitto has actually gone backwards since 2021, yet we would all probably rate his ruck work at least equal to if not ahead of TDK at the moment. But I think it is horses for courses and my reasoning follows.
In fairness it's not realistic to make a direct comparison as they are polar opposite players, Pitto has only hit the scoreboard in one of his eight seasons because he is a D50 type ruck that sits behind play and closes space. TDK is a F50 type ruck that pushes forward and links play stretching opposition defences. One assists the KPDs, the other assists the KPFs.
I think sorting out the tap work is far easier than trying to turn one or the other into the opposite type of player. For me we should be playing both and using them accordingly when we want to set or control game momentum.
Midfield dominance has very little to do with tap work, you can often have tap dominance like when we had Warnock and also the way we have Mirkov in the VFL, and still be soundly beaten in the Midfield. Our problem isn't so much not having tap dominance, but not being able to put the brakes on opposition when we aren't winning the clearances.
You could run TDK as a Blicsav's type ruck, and give him the task to tackle ahead of winning tap work, ideally you want both, but rarely is that actually possible.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"