Ted 2nd Ruck LRT back to Full Back

[Wazza]

The 2nd ruck role has been a highly debated subject do we need a specialised ruckman or some one who can play a role around the ground and allow the main ruckman a rest.
With a ruckman like Mumford the 2nd ruck has less of a role, will he spend more time on the pine
I thought I would throw this one out there to discuss, Lrt is proven FB and could slip back into kp def role what do you think of Ted as 2nd ruck option?
I dont think we would lose too much in defence and we may gain around the ground with Teds mobility
Ted could easily pinch hit as a fwd target or is Ted now so critical to our defence this shouldnt even be considered...ever.
The unanswered question is can Ted ruck but if LRT can why not?
What do you think?


Cheers

Waz

[ScottH]

Thinking outside the square wazza. Well done.

I think Ted is too critical to our backline these days.
He has become the cornerstone of our defence, as Bolton was before.

Not sure if using him as a utility/2nd ruck would work to our advantage.

[GongSwan]

I think LRT is the player they have put time into teaching the 2nd ruck role and probably should continue. Ted is part of a defensive unit, bust up the unit it doesn't work as well, altho I admit to wondering how Ted would go as a forward. Once Mummy is back in and up to speed, teh second ruck role will be less important as Mummy carries a far greater workload than Seabs or Myke, so it will virtually become a non issue at that point

[Melbournehammer]

i don't think LRT can cut it as a backman anyway anymore.

[Margie]

Good thinking, but Ted plays a strong leadership role in the backline, as well as taking a dangerous forward each week.

[Cheer_Cheer]

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!... Ted to stay put.. He is the main man down back.. I see where you are coming from but I think this would cause more problems that it would fix...

[jono2707]

Good thinking, and we need to be willing to re-think current roles, but as a few others have already said, I think Ted is critical down back. He is reading the play so well down there and he's chipping in so often to help where required down there.

I think Mike Pyke needs to stay once Mummy is back. Otherwise Seabs. Will the selection committee bite the bullet and play 2 x rucks? Or will they persist with LRT? I don't know what Jesse's chances are.... I'm not sure what's gonna happen, but I'm sure whatever they choose isn't going to be 100% effective all the time. I guess we just deal with it and hope our strong midfield and defence can make up for whatever we may lack in the ruck...

[Wazza]

Good thinking, and we need to be willing to re-think current roles, but as a few others have already said, I think Ted is critical down back. He is reading the play so well down there and he's chipping in so often to help where required down there.

I think Mike Pyke needs to stay once Mummy is back. Otherwise Seabs. Will the selection committee bite the bullet and play 2 x rucks? Or will they persist with LRT? I don't know what Jesse's chances are.... I'm not sure what's gonna happen, but I'm sure whatever they choose isn't going to be 100% effective all the time. I guess we just deal with it and hope our strong midfield and defence can make up for whatever we may lack in the ruck...

I agree with you re Pyke, if Richards hadnt done so well down back i would prefer him to Pyke but where would this leave LRT? some are suggesting he would no longer fit into our back 6? Does he need to become the perm FF once Mumford is back?

Cheers

Waz

[Wazza]

i don't think LRT can cut it as a backman anyway anymore.

I think he probably could play 1 - 2 more seasons as KPP def he has probably had to work on fitness playing 2nd ruck very physically demanding taking the taps this may even help him in a defensive role> Around the ground his takling spoiling and hardness at the ball have been good, just is caught out at times with positioning/reading the play as a ruck man.

Cheers

waz

[Wazza]

. Once Mummy is back in and up to speed, teh second ruck role will be less important as Mummy carries a far greater workload than Seabs or Myke, so it will virtually become a non issue at that point

After a couple of injuries do you think the coaches will use mummy in the same way? Maybe for the next 4 weeks they wont expect him to ruck for 3/4 of the game and he may spend more time at FF or on the pine?
Teds mobility around the ground would cause problems for most opposition ruck men, he would play more like the old RR role.
I know we have tried Ted fwd previously but this new Ted has found some inner confidence and as a pinch hitter he could do well...I know this is pie in the sky stuff but its something I would luv the coaches to try.

Cheers

Waz

[GongSwan]

After a couple of injuries do you think the coaches will use mummy in the same way? Maybe for the next 4 weeks they wont expect him to ruck for 3/4 of the game and he may spend more time at FF or on the pine?
Teds mobility around the ground would cause problems for most opposition ruck men, he would play more like the old RR role.
I know we have tried Ted fwd previously but this new Ted has found some inner confidence and as a pinch hitter he could do well...I know this is pie in the sky stuff but its something I would luv the coaches to try.

Cheers

Waz

I would expect them to play Myke until Mummy gets back to full fitness, probably drop LRT for that period, personally I think this is teh best way to bring Mummy back in, the coaches etc won't agree and I won't argue the point with them, they may well choose to give him a run in the magoos as a lghter workload and see how he goes, love to be at training on friday to see how he looks

[Lucky Knickers]

After a couple of injuries do you think the coaches will use mummy in the same way? Maybe for the next 4 weeks they wont expect him to ruck for 3/4 of the game and he may spend more time at FF or on the pine?
Teds mobility around the ground would cause problems for most opposition ruck men, he would play more like the old RR role.
I know we have tried Ted fwd previously but this new Ted has found some inner confidence and as a pinch hitter he could do well...I know this is pie in the sky stuff but its something I would luv the coaches to try.

Cheers

Waz

I don't feel we've got the luxury of taking our best defender out of the back line right now as Cheer Cheer expressed. He's the real steadying influence back there.
I'm not entirely sure he would be as mobile as the back-up or opposition Ruck. I don't have fabulous memories of him when he had to pinch hit previously but acknowledge the 2nd ruck role has changed a lot over 2011/2012.
Might make more sense to plonk Mummy in as FF and let him play the relieving ruck. Stick with Seaby or Pyke in as the first ruck.
I reckon one of the biggest challenges will be holding Mumford back. He plays like every game is his last so whilst I'm sure Horse says "now Shane I want you to hold back and just ease back in. Let Joey, Birdy and Jude do the tough stuff". I think Shane probably hears "now Shane I want you to blah blah blah blah do the tough stuff".

[GongSwan]

Mummy might borrow Jude's war face

[ScottH]

Mummy might borrow Jude's war face

I think it's not such a silly idea to plonk either Pyke or Mummy at FF. They would draw a good defender or 2, give Sammy a bit of support and relief, and if they can bag a few goals, bonus. Then you have the luxury of throwing them into the ruck if needed

[DamY]

I think it's not such a silly idea to plonk either Pyke or Mummy at FF. They would draw a good defender or 2, give Sammy a bit of support and relief, and if they can bag a few goals, bonus. Then you have the luxury of throwing them into the ruck if needed

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