The Great Ruck Debate.

[kruddler]

Sure is a fascinating subject, this!

Seems to me that the 'modern era' ruckman, at best, is also a tall midfielder. Grundy and Gawn are good examples. How much better do the Fluffy Ducks look with possibly the recruit of the year, Grundy? It's almost as if hit outs and hit outs to advantage are no longer the primary function, the first being contest. Then getting in and amongst the mids to provide another option is the next important facet to their game.

Grundy and Gawn both are active around the ground, in the air and on the grass. I see TDK being more like those two than Pitto. One of the first questions I ask myself when Pitto takes the number one mantle, is who misses out and what happens to TDK? A difficult predicament.

The best ruckmen are players that can be used around the ground. 100%.

This was basically the starting point for this ruck debate as our 2nd ruckmen could NOT be used around the ground. So why have one at all?
The better idea was to substitute a player into the ruck who could compete and nullify the hitout to advantage stat and then outperform his opponent around the ground. Be that as a KPP or as a mid. Getting more ball around the ground was key to who you would play.

The debate then morphed into who should be our best ruck and thats when stats got involved.
Showing...
1. Which ruck was best in the ruck contest itself (hitouts to advantage)
2. Which ruck was best in the ruck contest after the hitout (clearances by the ruck)
3. Which ruck was best around the ground in general play (disposals, marks, tackles etc)

At the time....
1. Pitto was clear winner
2. Despite what you might think based on agility, Pitto was leading here.
3. Despite popular opinion, this was very close between Pitto and TDK with TDK just taking the edge.

When you included someone as backup ruck (previously, silvagni, currently Harry, Kennedy, Cripps)
1. The difference was not significant between 2nd ruck and backup ruck
2. The backup ruck performed better
3. The backup ruck REALLY performed better.

But ultimately, it all comes down to the very first thing you wrote. How well do they do around the ground?
1 ruck is passable
2 rucks is silly and counterproductive with our current lineup and skill set.

Again, this was all based on OUR list, not anyone elses.
If Harry goes down, we play 2 rucks, no issue.