The Great Ruck Debate.

[Lods]

Have an issue with my opinion, fine.

I've asked multiple times for an example of when 2 rucks would be a better option against which sides.
How many answers have i received to that question?

This is not a dictatorship. This is a debate, hell, its in the thread title.
Debate it.

The only opposition i get is to me and my comments. Not in regards to the points i am raising.

"Oh but the VFL...."
Is a different debate and not one i've ever spoken about.
"Oh but team x...."
Is a different debate and not one i've ever spoken about.
"Oh but back in the spring of 1967...."
Is a different debate and not one i've ever spoken about.

I'm talking about here and now with the fit players we have at our disposal. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Debate me on that.

The problem is that it doesn't seem like a debate.
It seems like a lecture.

Now we played two rucks in the first game against GWS and it worked quite well.
But that may have been because of numerous factors including some missing personnel on their part.
The answer to the debate  doesn't lie in the superficial statistics...including wins/losses
As in the above example each game needs to be weighed in depth on a whole range of influencing factors.
That's something I'm sure our club folk do quite thoroughly, much more thoroughly than we could possibly do.

You can't demand a debate.
You engage in a debate...with give and take arguments on both sides.
If folks don't agree with you they'll either engage or just ignore.

What do you actually want people to say?
Most folk here acknowledge that there are times when we are better off going with one ruck...they agree with you.
You won't acknowledge that there are opposition that we may be better off engaging two rucks.
That's fair enough.
That's your opinion.
It doesn't make it right or wrong.

I'd argue we should try in some games for a few reasons.
1) In case we lose either one to injury it maintains some continuity.
2) More games together the better the understanding in terms of responsibility and positioning.
3) To provide relief over a long season.
4) To examine ways in which two AFL standard ruckmen can be used to greatest effect.

Over the course of the season that may take some juggling and fine tuning...because winning games is the main objective.
By all means at the pointy end go with one option.
But to make sure it's the best one isn't it a good idea to look at the possibilities.
If playing one ruck or two is the determining factor in our ultimate success then we have a few issues