Back up ruckman

[barry]

I think we should look around for a backup ruckman for post-ball 2005.

Someone in early to mid 20's, and already playing backup for another team.
Hopefully we can get them cheap.

Any ideas ?

[Barry Schneider]

I would like Hille at the Swans.He can play but his confidence is shot.He is also dangerous when he floats down to the forward line.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Any of the brissie ruckman.

[Benevolent Ert]

here's a thought

Brendan Lade is the 3rd string ruckman at Port

[triple b]

Big ask i know but.........Brad Ottens!!!! Was a star a year or two ago, Richmond have said they'll be aggressive just as Roosy did. Stephen Doyle hasnt held a pack mark since under 10's. Might cost someone half reasonable but a little bit of pain might be worthwhile

[EMJ]

I haven't confidence in Doyle. Would like to see Lade or Hille. Don't have a good feeling about Ottens - why I can't answer.

Ball hopefully will give us one more year - but feel he will be really down after the loss of Wally and find it hard to get up for one more year - when we consider how vital Wally is to the team.

Replacement will be impossible. Unless it was someone like Donald
McDonald (substitute coach at Hawthorn) - he impressed me on fox footy last night of his knowledge and genuine feeling for the team members. Donald though I think may skim it in as coach of Hawthorn.

[dawson]

We are crying out for one. Doyle and LRT are both not up to it. Not even close.

Anyone notice how desperate it got in the last quarter? Roosy broke his promise and put Goodesy in the ruck.

[anne]

What about Jolly from Melbourne. He doesn't seem to get that much of a go there.

[Tilt]

Theres a very good reason Jolly doesnt get a run at Melbourne -he's no good.

Ottens would have to be the standout choice. Having a ruckman that can play in a number of key positions is worth its wait in gold.

Terry Wallace (thank god he never coached the swans) has been speaking about ottens a lot. Could he be coming onto the market? Lets hope so.

[dendol]

I'd love to get Ottens. Not sure who would be backup to Stafford if Wallace let him go though.

Any of the 4 Brisbane guys would do fine. With all the injuries their ruckmen get, how are is McLaren and Charman feeling about leaving? They still get plenty of game time cos McDonald and Keating are always injured.

Dont think Lade will leave Port. Primus has been injured for last 2 seasons, and he and Brogan make a very good combo.

We'll be up ****creek without a boat or paddle if we have Doyle, LRT and MJ as our ruck options. Look at what happened this year against Port.

[triple b]

Richmond still has Ben Marsh as back up, and they also use either Jay Schulz or Ray Hall when Stafford plays forward.
Mmmm.........I can just see Ottens in the number 15 guernsey

[Bart]

Love ta see Ottens. But what about Rhett Biglands if Clarke was to play on ?

[swansrule100]

delist Miekeljohn (sp) and doyle as well possibly

if ball retires we are stuffed ... would prolly have to keep doyle and in that case get a ruckman to be number one ruck

if ball stays could possibly recruit a number 2 ruckman to be tutored by ball...because i have lost faith in doyle and mj is just not up to scratch

[dawson]

I have never bagged a player ever and didn't understand what people had against Saddo (We really missed him on Sat night in that last quarter!) but I have to say that Doyle is severely testing my paitence.

Here are his career stats up to and including Kangaroos game (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/p...hen_Doyle.html):

34 Games
92 kicks
51 marks
76 Handballs
168 disposals
15 goals
303 hitouts
23 frees for
32 free against

This is a joke! He averages just over 4 possessions a game!
1.5 marks a game! This isnt including his poor disposal and his inabilty to catch the ball.

Lets compare him to Brad Ottens
129 games
896 kicks
666 marks
702 handballs
1598 disposal
152 goals
2015 hitouts
154 frees for

He has to go - its not funny anymore

[dendol]

comeon, he barely gets enough game time to rack up the stats. When hes not in the ruck, hes on the bench. You have to look at what he does when he is on the field. Stats will only tell you so much (although sad to say, it tells quite alot in this case).

Personally, I think he is getting better with each game. We have to keep in mind he didnt play for all of 2003 - up until that point, he was looking very promising. Whilst he doesnt look like a world-beater right now, I dont think we should be looking at getting rid of him - whether Ball retires or not, he will be needed next year.