Well, we can probably put an end to the one ruck/two ruck debate that’s permeated multiple threads over the last year or so, not just in this place but across all Carlton discussion forums.
As it turns out, in the words of Taras Bulba…”We were both right…and we were both wrong!”
There is a time and a place for both options depending on the skills of the players involved.
We recognise the advantages of one ruck in terms of the extra run.
On the weekend we saw the advantages of two rucks.
Will either option work every week?
I doubt it will.
Two rucks may not even work next week.
One thing we can be sure of is, that having seen how Pittonet and TDK operated on the weekend, opposition clubs will devote a bit of time as to how they combat that combination.
Supporters tend to see things in term of how things work in the past and how they are working in the present. A coaching group has a different perspective. For them the past is irrelevant. The present is important because of the need to win, and bank points but they also need to look to the future.
Will a small experiment or sacrifice early in the season generate a greater benefit at the end of the year?
There was some criticism of using Pittonet last week against Adelaide. But in hindsight he was probably handled perfectly. Superhuman freaks (Walsh) may be able to step back into a side without missing a beat, but for the average player after a long lay-off or a late start to the season, it often takes a match or two to get back up to speed. Fifty percent game time for Pittonet in his first game back was probably the ideal re-introduction to the side.
Did it alter the result?
No more than a dozen or so other incidents in that game.
Just to finish….
-Pittonet reckons they’re developing into a good combination with a good understanding. That takes time playing together. It’s useless having one bide his time, learning his trade in DeKoning’s case, in the VFL where their role would probably be different. Game time together is important.
-There’s been a definite improvement in DeKoning’s game and influence…as well as his ruck work. He gave one of the best ‘hit-outs to advantage’ I’ve seen in recent times on the weekend. (it may have been a bit of a fluke.)
-Pittonet and TDK are very different types of ruckman, and bring different strengths to the game.
-Cripps loves playing to Pittonet. It showed on the weekend.
-The coaches have a much greater knowledge than we do of
a) What they’re trying to achieve long term with the ruck situation.
b) The strengths, weaknesses and fitness levels of each player at any given time.
c) Opposition strengths and weaknesses that are analysed in preparation for the next games
d) How each player complements the other.
e) The balance- what is the cost effect of playing one combination vs the other.
They don’t get paid the big bucks for working out something a footy tragic can deduce by a couple of hours of watching a game.
So, let’s not go week by week depending on results, favouring one option or the other.
Know that both can work.
Trust the experts. They seem to be doing OK with half the side missing.
