When the new substitute rule was introduced, essentially forcing clubs to think harder about their on field structures and concoct plans on how best to use their substitute as a switch hitter or impact player, I immediately began to panic for the future of the game’s big men.
However, season 2011 not only showed how effective clubs are at adapting to new developments in tactics and rules, it also showed how players themselves were able to adapt.
The ruckman has not gone the way of the ruck-rover or the place kick as I feared at first. They’re back and better than ever!
It seems the new rules have forced clubs to think harder about the quality of their big men, and seen a resurgence in pure, well trained ruckmen, with the emphasis now turning to tap work and strength in contest – players who once got by on switch hitting in the ruck or the forward line, or stayed on lists for their ability to hold up in boundary throw ins are now being forced to find their positions and make way for the specialists.
So with season 2012 fast approaching, I decided to look into each clubs ruck stocks, grading each ruck division in an attempt to find the leagues best.
Now these kind of exercises are always speculative, and everyone will have their own opinion, so bare in mind these grades are based on season 2011, not necessarily 2012, and are my personal views.
Adelaide Crows:
Number one ruckman: Sam Jacobs.
Back ups: James Craig, Ben Dowdell (rookies), Josh Jenkins (former Essendon rookie), Kurt Tippett (forward).
2011: Jacobs was an absolute revelation in 2011, flying under the radar for most of the year but impressing in big games and showing fine form all year. His tap work is exemplary, and his strength at the contest has also been more than impressive.
However, Adelaide’s 2012 ruck division looks a little lacking depth, with the departure Ivan Maric to Richmond and James Seller (pinch hitting forward) to Melbourne. Craig and Dowdell are untried rookies and Tippett is best suited it would seem to a hard leading full forward role.
As with the Crows in general, 2012 looks like a season of rebuilding, and of finding back of solutions, but with the strong bodies and experience of Thompson, Dangerfield, Van Berlo and Sloane operating around the ruck, the future looks bright for this part of the Crows line-up.
Grade: B.
Brisbane Lions:
Number one ruckman: Matthew Leuenburger.
Back ups: Ben Hudson, Billy Longer, Sam Michael (rookie).
2011: Lions’ last couple of seasons under Michael Voss have provided few shining lights, but a few have shone very brightly once given the opportunity. One such player is 23-year-old Leuenburger, who had an absolute break out season last year, and looks set to stamp his authority on the number one spot this season with the departure of Jamie Charman.
With the addition of the mature Hudson, and the coaching of Charman, now an assistant with the Lions, Leuenberger could well develop into one of the best in the game. However, like Adelaide, depth may harm his teams chances as a whole.
Recruiting a mature age player, especially a mature age ruckman is always a risk, and now one can truly gauge how effective big Hudson would be if Leuenburger was struck down by injury or bad form. And with the 18-year-old Billy Longer (albeit already being highly touted) and rookie Queenslander Sam Michael as back up, the Lions will need to manage the young ruck star effectively throughout the year, which realistically is (yet another) rebuilding time.
Grade: B-.
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