The Great Ruck Debate.

[kruddler]

It'll always be the case that any win or loss is dependent on dozens of variables
Some structural changes create an advantage.
But with every advantage gained there will be a cost in another area.
That's the balance that's most important, not 'team balance'.

Team balance is another of those 'cliche' things that is also used in arguments.
It exists, but it's often used in a throwaway context like 'run'
We don't lose 'balance', we don't lose 'run' completely
The balance and run changes...often only slightly.
Multiple combinations of smalls and talls have been effective in the history of football.
It's totally dependent on the skills and abilities of the players

The fact that there are so many variables in play means that reducing an argument to a single position is a bit of a futile, and really 'simplistic' exercise.

Anyone who looks at our 'wins and losses' solely in terms of our ruck situation is guilty of a huge over-simplification.

It doesn't take into account all the other factors like-
Opposition strength,
Match-ups,
Changes to lineups on both sides,
Injuries during the game,
Key players being contained, down on form or carrying minor injuries
Coaching tactics on both sides.

After the first GWS game two rucks were the 'bees knees'
A couple of weeks later and it was the worst idea in the world.

We make judgements on limited information...even statistical information.
In the end it will all play out, and hopefully we'll enter a final's campaign with a number of structural options should things go pear shaped.

Few things lods.

1. If you are good enough, you pick a team to win and try and make the opposition defeat you. This is where we stand.
2. Each individual team has a different set of circumstances and i've been consistent in this debate that this is for our team and our team only.
3. Yes, there are moving goal posts and it depends who else is in your team as to who you choose and the pros/cons of picking 2 rucks.

'Team balance' might be hard to quantify into a nice succinct sentence, that can be understood by all.......but its pretty easy to say if/when you don't have it. I think there have been quite a few people over the journey that will back me up in saying we have lost many a game at the selection table over the years, and these claims have been shown in pre-game threads, without the benefit of hindsight, when the MC gets something obviously wrong.