Jason Ball - Injured?

[Rod_]

The only negative for the Swans was that most missed No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball limping through the interchange gate in the last minute. Ball, hobbling with a bandaged right knee, couldn't join teammates dispersed to various sections of the ground after the final siren to acknowledge fan support.

http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15517950%255E19773,00.html

Rod_

[Ruck'n'Roll]

While I hope the big guy isn't injured I am very disappointed about the Jolly/Ball ruck partnership. In the last two weeks they've been beaten by StKilda's Blake and this week by a first gamer.
And while I know our two are less mobile than their opponents that largely because they're bigger than their opponents. Yet I didn't see them do any hard bodying on their lighter and less experienced opponents (I'd love to hear from any eye witness who can tell me different).
Why on earth are we playing to 2 big strong ruckmen while in their present mindset we'd be better off with just one and an additional runner?

[Rod_]

I don't know! You would think that seasoned ruckmen wouldn't be taken to task by a first gamer?

Rod_

[NMWBloods]

Silvagni was very disappointed in the efforts of Ball/Jolly. Thought they should have been much more physical with Bryan. I think that Bryan tiring and going out of the game in the last quarter was a critical factor in our win.

[Rizzo]

Ball/Jolly - 35 hitouts between them
Bryan - 17

I hope Ball is OK, he seemed to be working himself back into some form.

[NMWBloods]

To 3QT:

Jolly + Ball = 17 possessions

Bryan = 18 possessions

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Last week Blake got beaten in the taps yet had 16 posesions (Jolly and Ball had 15 betwen them).
The statistics of course don't include the hard stuff, which is fortunate for our ruckmen because that's the area they're mostly failing in.

I blame Barry Hall, he's so enjoying life without being Big&Bad that he's encouraging our ruckmen to play like flower children.
Sortof

[Wil]

Does Goodes take away from the potential Ruck possessions?

[Rizzo]

Goodes had 4 hitouts according the afl.com.au

Don't know why they have one less against Bryan's name than you NMWBloods. What's your source?

I thought Bryan's debut was one of the most impressive that I've watched, second behind his team mate Fevola. What a kick huh?

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Rizzo
Goodes had 4 hitouts according the afl.com.au

Don't know why they have one less against Bryan's name than you NMWBloods. What's your source?

I thought Bryan's debut was one of the most impressive that I've watched, second behind his team mate Fevola. What a kick huh?

Outstanding, played like a pro. And the commentators got excited everytime he got the ball to have a kick.

And the crowd went "woof"

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Rizzo
Don't know why they have one less against Bryan's name than you NMWBloods. What's your source?

I was commenting on possessions not hitouts.

[giant]

I too thought Ball was starting to look a bit better so let's hope it's nothing serious.

Any word on Davis? there was a suggestion he was looking proppy too. Great to see the acknowledgment he got from his team mates when those two tackles led to a critical goal.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by giant
Davis?
Great to see the acknowledgment he got from his team mates when those two tackles led to a critical goal.

He actually looked (on the telly) wobbly on his feet after that effort. So either he's short of a gallup (despite Roos claims to the contary) or he shocked himself be utilising a months tackle in one passage of play.

[chammond]

Ball and Davis both played like they are sorely in need of match fitness . . . they will certainly be improved by the run.

There's no way that Bryan beat Jolly and Ball in the ruck . . . quite the reverse. Bryan played a blinder for a first gamer. He got a ton of possessions because he was continuously on the ground until well into the last quarter, whereas Jolly and Ball rotated all day.

Jolly is the real deal, and by far the best ruckman on the ground on Saturday.

[NMWBloods]

Depends on what gives a win for ruckmen.

Bryan had more centre bounce taps - 12 v. 10.

Jolly + Ball had more around the ground - 24 v. 5 (although it's probably more like 18 v. 5 as Bryan didn't really ruck much inthe last qtr).

Bryan had more possessions to 3QT - 18 v. 17.

Bryan had more clearances - 6 v. 3.