(06-28-2023, 09:51 PM)Gointocarlton link Wrote:https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/06/28/t...s-ruckmen/
The problem with those analyses, forgetting the somewhat flaky data, is that the context is ignored; if our midfielders are down, clearances will be down.
I took another look at the Gold Coast game and there was a stark change in the number of clearances we won when our midfield got on top. It had little to do with hitouts won or hitouts to advantage.
Before looking at the numbers, there's no reason not to consider this game. Pittonet was passed fit, he rarely uses his left hand in ruck contests and he took part in more ruck contests than De Koning; 52 to 43.
In the first quarter:
Pitto took part in 16 ruck contests for two centre clearances and two stoppage clearances. Tom took part in eight ruck contests for three stoppage clearances. Gold Coast (almost exclusively Witts) took part in 24 ruck contests for two centre clearances and ten stoppage clearances; a clear win for the Gold Coast ruck/midfield combination.
In the second quarter:
Pitto took part in seven ruck contests for six centre clearances. Tom took part in nine ruck contests for two centre clearances and two stoppage clearances. Gold Coast (Witts) took part in 16 ruck contests for two centre clearances and two stoppage clearances; a clear win for our ruck/midfield combination. It's worth noting that Pitto was rucking for most of the centre bounces and our midfield tore Gold Coast a new one, regardless of who got the hitouts.
In the third quarter:
Pitto took part in 13 ruck contests for one centre clearance and three stoppage clearances. Tom took part in 17 ruck contests for one centre clearance and six stoppage clearances. Harry contested one boundary throw in and we won the clearance. Gold Coast (Witts) took part in 31 ruck contests for three centre clearances and eight stoppage clearances; a narrow win for our ruck/midfield combination.
In the last quarter:
Pitto took part in 16 ruck contests for six centre clearance and four stoppage clearances. Tom took part in nine ruck contests for two centre clearances and four stoppage clearances. Harry and Charlie each took part in one ruck contest and Harry's resulted in a stoppage clearance. We didn't contest one boundary throw in but won the clearance and scored a goal. Gold Coast took part in 28 ruck contests for one centre clearance and four stoppage clearances; a decisive win for our ruck/midfield combination.
In total, Pitto took part in 52 ruck contests for 15 centre clearances and 9 stoppage clearances and Tom took part in 42 ruck contests for five centre clearances and 15 stoppage clearances. Gold Coast took part in 98 ruck contests for eight centre clearances and 24 stoppage clearances. Most of their stoppage clearances were won when Pitto was rucking. As noted in the post-game thread, Witts was too strong for Pitto but Tom was too athletic for Witts.
Pitto and Tom are very different players but they complement each other and are difficult for opposition rucks to counter. Tom, at his best, is a threat around the ground and up forward. Pitto, at his best, can neutralise most opposition rucks and get the odd spoil, but he's not likely to provide a marking target when we have to go long.
As much as I like Silvagni's passion and endeavour, he's not a ruckman and we're far more competitive with Pitto and Tom rucking in tandem.
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” Oddball