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AFL has undergone many changes and progressions throughout the eras – the most obvious being the pace of the game, the rules and the technology – but a massively important change has been the roles of players in different positions.
Through the 60s to the early 90s, the players always played like Roman gladiators – fighting over a footy, kicking to packs and may strongest man come out with the leather.
Nowadays a huge emphasis is put on ‘gut running’ and being able to run all day.
Midfielders have to be able to run at least a 14 or 15 beep test to even be considered. Key position are expected to be 100 kilo, 6 foot 4 inches to get a sniff at success in the big league.
All these positions have developed through the years from bash, crash and big marks to hard running, repeat efforts and long leads.
What of arguably the most important on the ground, the player who determines who gets possession, the ruckman? Not only is it one of the most important positions on the ground, it’s been through the biggest changes.
We’ve seen players like Jamie Charman, Dean Brogan and Damian Monkhurst play the role of the physical, bash and crash ruckman. Aaron Sandilands, Polly Farmer and Luke Darcy play as a tap ruckman, giving their players first use.
However, these styles of ruck work are a thing of the past. The only style that we will see in years to come is the mobile big man.
The type of ruckman who can jump over any opposing player, but still but able to cover the ground as quick as a midfielder.
This style of play was first introduced by the late Jim Stynes, running his opponent ragged while still flying over opponents for marks and ruck contests.
Our modern day example is an extraordinary one at that. Fijian live-wire Nic Naitanui is changing our game forever with the skills he displays every week.
Imagine seeing Aaron Sandilands or Darren Jolly tap a ball to themselves, sprint in and out of four players, break tackles and have a shot on goal from 55m. It just isn’t going to happen!
With every freakish act of speed, skill, agility and endurance, Naitinui raises the bar for every ruckman in the land.
This is the future for the ruck position in our game and isn’t it exciting!
The days of dinosaurs loping around are close to over. The era of the dominant, athletic big men are just around the corner.
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