Just thinking about Ball

[Steve]

I reckon Port, Brisbane, Adelaide and West Coast would have fancied their chances of at (very) least breaking even with their ruckmen against Ball.

Now they have to worry about what Goodes is capable of, which IMO would worry all of those sides much more.

In terms of hit-outs, Ball has only beaten the opposition's No.1 ruckman in 4 games for the whole year (Carlton twice, St Kilda and Collingwood).

So basically the fact that Goodes will lose out in the hit-out category isn't a mortal wound.

It would be a worry if Goodes had to handle the physical battering for 4 months, but there are only a maximum of 9 games left this year.

We really need Doyle back ASAP though. If he could take the centre bounces, then move to FF and do the ruckwork in the forward line, it would minimise the damage in terms of the hit-out stats as well as the battering Goodes will get.

Before Sunday I still thought we needed to pull a couple of tricks from our sleeve to finish of the H&A rounds well, and thereafter be a threat in the finals.

Just because we have to use one of them through necessity doesn't mean it is any less dangerous.

[liz]

Goodes can undoubtedly provide a contest in the ruck. My two concerns though are:

a) if Goodes is having to ruck entire games it will limit his effectiveness around the ground and we risk him being exhausted by the time finals come around. Roos is going to need to be smart in how he uses him for the next month and a half.

b) One area where we routinely get beaten by almost every team is contested marks around the ground - probably because we a small team. When the run out of the backline isn't working and we are forced to kick to a contest down the line it invariably results in a turnover or, at best, a throw-in. Ball has been the most dependable target, particularly coming out of the backline, to at least provide a decent marking contest. Schauble can take the occasional one, and Saddo has been OK in past seasons, but there's not going to be many other targets to aim at. This is going to place increased pressure on the likes of Williams and Kennelly to back themselves and run until they can find a relatively free target up field.

[jixygirl]

Originally posted by lizz
Goodes can undoubtedly provide a contest in the ruck. My two concerns though are:

a) if Goodes is having to ruck entire games it will limit his effectiveness around the ground and we risk him being exhausted by the time finals come around. Roos is going to need to be smart in how he uses him for the next month and a half.

b) One area where we routinely get beaten by almost every team is contested marks around the ground - probably because we a small team. When the run out of the backline isn't working and we are forced to kick to a contest down the line it invariably results in a turnover or, at best, a throw-in. Ball has been the most dependable target, particularly coming out of the backline, to at least provide a decent marking contest. Schauble can take the occasional one, and Saddo has been OK in past seasons, but there's not going to be many other targets to aim at. This is going to place increased pressure on the likes of Williams and Kennelly to back themselves and run until they can find a relatively free target up field.

Both very good points. Goodes is very fit but could still become exhausted with the load of work that he could do because of Ball. Definitely Paul Roos will have to be careful. The small team that we have does not help with the contested marks count but Ball being out won't help either. Let's hope Doyle can come back ASAP.

[floppinab]

IMO, Roos should actually revert back to Plan A (i.e. the blooding the youngsters one that was in place prior to us being so seriously in finals contention) in terms of playing the younger ruckman more game time.

a) if Goodes is having to ruck entire games it will limit his effectiveness around the ground and we risk him being exhausted by the time finals come around.

Absolutely, time to play LRT for 3/4 of a game instead of the 1/4 he has been getting. If there is a concern about his experience then use Schaubs, LRT and Hall for rucking across the back, centre and forward for the times Goodes gets a breather.

b) One area where we routinely get beaten by almost every team is contested marks around the ground

Again LRT doesn't seem to be fased in this area, he's got the potential to be the best contested mark in the whole team. He is not so confident in his disposal, so simply make sure there are enough midfielders around to feed off to after his marks (Willo has been doing this aready).

This should work with the main question being how quickly the oppostion catches on and begins to target it (for e.g. crowding LRT after a mark to stop the hand-offs, creating mis-matches down back when Schaubs is taking the ruck).

[EMJ]

Can Hall not be used in the Ruck = He is pretty good I feel.

[liz]

Originally posted by janpa
Can Hall not be used in the Ruck = He is pretty good I feel.

Bit of a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul though. Take him out of the forward line for extended periods and we'll miss his physicality down there.

It sounds like LRT's hamstring isn't too bad so maybe we don't have a huge problem.

[barry]

Originally posted by lizz
Bit of a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul though. Take him out of the forward line for extended periods and we'll miss his physicality down there.

It sounds like LRT's hamstring isn't too bad so maybe we don't have a huge problem.

Also sounds like Meklejohn is avaliable too. All the doom and gloom is starting to lift. If these two can break even up until the finals when hopefully Doyle is back in form, we should be ok.

[Sid]

Doyle, LRT and Meiklejohn...if any of these can make it back, it will definitely give goodes some relief. I'm sure Bazza can ruck in the foward line as he does a couple of times. Schauble has rucked a few times in the back line since we are more concerned with small players running the ball out quickly.

I dont think this is as big a problem as everyone thinks. But it does highlight that we have to resign Ball.

[Sid]

Doyle, LRT and Meiklejohn...if any of these can make it back, it will definitely give goodes some relief. I'm sure Bazza can ruck in the foward line as he does a couple of times. Schauble has rucked a few times in the back line since we are more concerned with small players running the ball out quickly.

I dont think this is as big a problem as everyone thinks. But it does highlight that we have to resign Ball.

[BAM_BAM]

Mark Powell has been handy in the ruck when playing in the ressies. Granted he's not the calibre of the others, but is an option as a temporary relief during games if Doyle, LRT or Jimmy aren't available

[Frosty_13]

How many more is Doyle out for?

2?

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Frosty_13
How many more is Doyle out for?

2?

They've been saying 2 weeks for the best part of 5 or 6 weeks.