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[NMWBloods]

No, he doesn't kick a lot of goals, but that's mainly because he plays all game in the ruck. I've seen on the odd occasion go forward and kick goals, but he doesn't really go forward a lot.

He's not scary, but I don't think that's a high priority.

Depends what you mean by grunt work - if you mean clearances, he is averaging 3.9 per game, which is more than Goodes was doing last year.

He's also averaging 25 hit outs per game, which is a decent effort.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by sharpie
The thing I find with ruckmen is that they generally have one good season in them, and then a small injury puts them way off their best for a long time, even 2-3 years.

So saying Jeff White is the god of rucks is just looking at how he has been this year. Stafford was brilliant in the ruck in 1996, but quickly went off the boil in the following years, same can be said about McKernan. Everitt has only really got it together this year after a promising year last year, and a whole lot of rubbish in his last few at St Kilda. Matthew Allen was also brilliant for Carlton at one stage but his last few years were terrible. I'm sure the list goes on.

I agree. I don't think Jeff White is the 'god of rucks' yet he is one of the best packages in the game. Last year or two were poor for him, as injuries took their toll. Seems to be a problem for many ruckmen, which is hardly surprising.

[Newbie]

Jeff White couldnt take a contested mark. That is why we dont see him around the forward line. He is not imposing or giving a presence in the field. He is a pretty good and mobile tap ruckman.

Speaking of Erickson, what style of player is he?? how much potential does this guy have? I know he could go and kick few goals but how is his rucking?

Thanks

[NMWBloods]

To say White can't take a contested mark is fairly extreme.

He has taken 13 from a total of 83 this year. Not huge numbers, but 1 per game is not poor.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
He's not scary, but I don't think that's a high priority.

"Sacrilege! Aarrgh! Burn him, Burn him," the ruckman cries. "Bring lighted torches and large numbers of miscellaneous agricultural implements. . . . "

Sorry, Pythonesque moment there.

But seriously, while the AFL seems to want to turn football into a non-contact sport, the meataxe work of a ruckman IS really important.

So too are effective hit-outs, marks around the ground, a goal or two every few games and the mobility to get back to support the defence.

But a good authoratative ruckman, clears a path for his own grass-burners, makes other players walk tall and can take a percentage point or two off the oppositions intensity. None are truly tangible but look at the impact Keating has in grand finals for Brisbane!