Myke Pyke Debut

[dimelb]

43% game time, 18% to advantage (Jolly had 16%).

For any backup ruckman, surely very respectable figures?

[ScottH]

43% game time, 18% to advantage (Jolly had 16%).

That means he hit 2/11 to advantage to Jolly's 4/25??

Doesn't sound an awful lot for either.

[laughingnome]

Hit out to advantage are usually quite low. It's the instances where a team has gained a sizeable advantage (eg Pyke's tap to Kirk for MOL's goal) and not where 5 metres are gained before there's another ball-up.

[ScottH]

Hit out to advantage are usually quite low. It's the instances where a team has gained a sizeable advantage (eg Pyke's tap to Kirk for MOL's goal) and not where 5 metres are gained before there's another ball-up.

If that's the case the figures are REALLY high for a Sydney game.

[stellation]

I can double check at home, but I'm pretty sure that in the record it had Jolly's hit outs to advantage as around 25% for the season and White's at around 18% for the season... White was performing quite well as a backup, so it's fair to say that Mike's numbers on the weekend were pretty good too!

As far as determining hitouts to advantage and why the percentage is so low, I thought they actually had a less subjective criteria than "gained significant advantage"? It obviously has to lead to a clearance for your team from a first touch but (and I could be wrong here) does it possibly also have to have been a first touch that was an uncontested possession to your team?

[liz]

According to the Record, Jolly went into the match with a 25% HTA ratio, which put him 5th out of the top 10 rucks (based on total hit-outs). He went into the game leading the total hit-outs but second in total % hit-outs.

[laughingnome]

As far as determining hitouts to advantage and why the percentage is so low, I thought they actually had a less subjective criteria than "gained significant advantage"? It obviously has to lead to a clearance for your team from a first touch but (and I could be wrong here) does it possibly also have to have been a first touch that was an uncontested possession to your team?

I was trying to be simplistic and neat, but yes you are right. A hit-out to a team-mate who effects a clearance uncontested is a hit-out to advantage.

[stellation]

I was trying to be simplistic and neat, but yes you are right. A hit-out to a team-mate who effects a clearance uncontested is a hit-out to advantage.

Oh yep yep, I assumed that- I was going to add "not having a go!"

[timbo]

Wonder if they will send Andy Maher to Canada should he make it in a Grand Final team?

Good to see he is not afraid to use his size.

[Bloody Hell]

He was a lot better than I expected him to be.

Long term vs. White? I don't view Jesse as a long term ruck prospect, I hope he finds a slot as a KPP so following that plan I'd say yes!

I agree with that, but I'm also thinking Pyke may not be a long term ruck option.

Maybe once Pyke has 30-40 games under his belt (it's ridiculous to talk about these terms!) he may be able to hold down a KP.

[giant]

Loved his endeavour - saw him at the bottom of a lot of packs, not a position one associates with ruckmen. Just seems very determined to make a shot of it, so good luck to the fella, hope he continues to get a chance.

[mcs]

He is a very raw talent of course, but he did ok I thought. Great mark in defence as well. Hopefully he will maybe get a game or two more in the seniors at some stage this season, but most importantly gets lots of footy for the reserves. He certainly potentially could be a real find, I was suitably impressed.

[EMJ]

Pyke for a big man is very quick to get up off the ground and rebound back into the play.

I thought he was great and enjoyed watching him do his best.

I also think he can be used in other positions on the field.

[Playsmart]

He is a very raw talent of course, but he did ok I thought. Great mark in defence as well. Hopefully he will maybe get a game or two more in the seniors at some stage this season, but most importantly gets lots of footy for the reserves. He certainly potentially could be a real find, I was suitably impressed.

Isn't this tall guy who can run fast as well?

Once he gets more confidence, his quick running off his tall opponent will be sight to see, hopefully.

[ROK Lobster]

I'll go out on a limb and say "best Canadian recruit ever".