10-09-2023, 02:31 AM
(10-09-2023, 01:17 AM)laj link Wrote: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.
Yes, there's no hard and fast rule about ruck/forward combinations, but your point about not going with two one-dimensional rucks is pretty close to being a rule. I guess the same could be said about going with two very good around the ground rucks when neither can play the support/tall forward role.
Pitto and the King, when they're on, make a formidable combination. They weren't really on against McInerney but Cox and Cameron were on in the GF and limited McInerney's influence.
Levi will be preparing for his third season since we announced his retirement :
“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