10-09-2023, 01:17 AM
(10-07-2023, 11:39 AM)DJC link Wrote:I’m not sure that Pitto and the King would be selected ahead of Cox and Cameron but Collingwood won the premiership with two genuine, lumbering rucks and two key forwards. Admittedly, one of the key forwards was a bit of a decoy because their first choice KPF was injured.
Of course, both of Collingwood’s rucks are a threat when they go forward. Neither managed a goal in the GF, but they demand a decent defender.
The idea that we’re unbalanced with two rucks and two tall forwards doesn’t stack up, particularly since the alternative is two tall forwards, one ruck and a third tall forward/undersized ruck.
That’s not to say that Brisbane model - one outstanding ruckman backed up by one of their two tall forwards - isn’t effective. It worked quite well against us, but there were other factors at play. However, it wasn’t effective against Collingwood.
I don’t understand the reasoning behind some of our team selections but I do understand that the reasoning behind those decisions is based on more and much better information than I have, as well as far superior footy understanding and knowledge. Games of footy aren’t lost by the MC. They’re lost because the players aren’t good enough or they’re not at their best, or the gameplan is flawed or not executed well enough.
Flags have been won in many different ways. 2017 Richmond won with one key forward and a small forward line, then in 2019 they won with Lynch, Riewoldt, Nankervis and Soldo. 2020 they did it with one ruck and a pinch-hitter. 2018 the Eagles won with Vardy, Lycett, Kennedy and Darling, Melbourne won with Gawn, Jackson, McDonald and Brown, 2022, Jackson was very proficient forward. 2022 Geelong went with Stanley, a part-timer ruck in Blicavs and as well as Hawkins and Cameron. Looks like you can win it with many different combinations.
If you go in with an one extra tall, or one extra small probably it isn't going to make alot of difference. Most important thing to me is that at least one ruck can play well around the ground and go forward and kick a goal. Can't have two centre bounce rucks that can't do anything else. That's where you come unbalanced, like essentially being like a player down. If you have one that can take marks around the ground and kick a goal, great, play 2 rucks. If you have just 2 plain centre bounce rucks that can't do much else then you need to pick a pinch hitter. It's why Levi, for all his faults is a very handy footballer. Luke Jackson probably a better version.