The Great Ruck Debate.

[kruddler]

You're too generous with him.

I'm not chastising the guy, but as we've seen, (a stat you ignore) our midfield makes the ruck look good.

Pittonet is ok, but thats all he is.

Cameron was the best ruck on the ground but our mids won the clearances and the part that costs us is his inability to make a mark around the ground.  He is out of the play.  You said it yourself.  How many times are the rucks actually rucking?

I've done the stats on this previously, our clearances improve with Pittonet over TDK.
So yes, our mids make him look good, but he makes their life easier too.

I never suggested Pittonet was better around the ground. I did say that (at the time, ie last year) he was not a whole lot worse than TDK, albeit with less potential, but output wise was similar.
I literally used this logic as justification for not playing a second ruck and why we were (are) better off playing someone like SIlvagni who can contribute around the ground while still putting in a credible effort in the ruck contest.

Obviously TDK lifted this year and all is well with the world.....apart from his inability to stay on the park, which is ultimately why we are where we are right now.

Pitto was getting career numbers around the ground earlier this year before he got injured. I'm not sure if he is back to full fitness or if that finger is bothering him or what. TBH, i reckon the whole club looks flat and with Marchbank and Harry both missing games recently with 'illness' i'd suggest it could be the flu or something running through the club. At least this would explain the dip in form.

In ruck craft/stoppages Pittonet is elite AFL stats show this.
Around the ground he is average or below average (depending on where you look) and we know this too.

He is what he is.
He is not responsible for that loss no more than any of the other 21 blokes out there though.
Without him on our list, we'd probably be rucking Young.....and talk about being below average!