The role of ruckmen in modern-day AFL has often been downplayed but there is no denying how important St Kilda’s big men are to the Saints’ success.
Star ruckman Rowan Marshall returned to partner veteran Paddy Ryder on Friday night for the first time since Round 9, and reuniting the pair had an immediate impact as the Saints awoke from their 2021 slumber to stun reigning premiers Richmond by 40 points at the MCG.
Since Ryder arrived at St Kilda from Port Adelaide ahead of the 2020 season, the Saints’ record with both of them playing is now 12-6.
If Ryder and/or Marshall are missing from the team, St Kilda have won just five of 15 games.
Rowan Marshall is crucial in the ruck for the Saints. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten is rapt Marshall was able to return from a foot injury and play so well straight away.
“They complement each other and they’re probably different types of ruckmen as well, which is always challenging for the other rucks,” Ratten said.
“It’s not just in the ruck, but the support it gives Max (King) in the front half and he really worked hard, Max, and kicked two goals.”
Despite the memorable win over Richmond, wiping away the memory of their 86-point thrashing to the Tigers in Round 5, the Saints sit 6-8 with a poor percentage.
Ratten is not getting ahead of himself and knows it will take something special for St Kilda to play finals for the second year in a row.
“We’re just looking at getting our process right. I was extremely pleased for a lot of people, this win,” Ratten said.
“Our performances haven’t been where we want them to be but the challenge is to maintain this.
“Whether it’s good enough to get into finals, I’m not sure, but there’s a lot of hard work to be done.”
Holdingtheball
Roar Rookie
They sure did. Though Saints should’ve won by 10gs+. Made many unforced errors. Which showed how bad Richmond played. But might still get all their finals at the G. A big game on Sunday. We get to see how good Western really are and whether WC are on the road back.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Hard to do it every week for 4 years
1dog
Roar Rookie
And then they forgot.
mr house
Guest
When both Ryder and Marshall play, they basically win 2/3 matches. In the games were both of them have played and the team lost, 3 or 4 of the losses were by under a goal and could have easily gone the saint's way if they took their chances. They are the saint's barometer when they are up and about. I reckon Ratten does need to work on reducing the gap between their best and worst in the off-season as they should show a lot more resolve when things are not going their way. Dreadful Essendon and Bulldogs losses case in point. They need better quality depth in the ruck division (McKernan and Hunter not up to it) but both your main ruckmen missing a lot of the season is not something they would have anticipated at the start of the year. I doubt Melbourne would be where they are right now if Gawn and May missed most of the season. Dunstan has been a revelation this year. He has turned his career around and hopefully he can keep it up. Plays like he has a point to prove and didn't take any lip off Cotchin last night, which was good to see. Too many saint's player have been soft in recent times and they need more players to stand up to it.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He always was. He is just one of those players that a coach takes a set against. Longmuir does that with Blakely.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
It's harder to win a game of footy than ever before, most teams are capable on their day. Richmond have taught other teams the importance of bringing pressure every game.
sven
Roar Rookie
shows how good nank has been for the tiges, we are sorely missing him & soldo at the moment, that said the saints rucks were great last night
me too
Roar Rookie
Marshall is just so important to the structure and mentality of the saints. They just play with more belief when he is in. Win-loss record with Marshall is 4-2 (and he was our best in the away loss to Port). Win-loss with Ryder is 4-5. Win-loss with both is 3-1. Just hope next season we have them both available for the majority of the year. We've been cruelled with injuries and still went into this game with Gresham, Billings, Clark, Geary, Paton, Jones, Carlisle, Hannebury, Bytel, Frawley, and Kent out. Luckily with so many injuries Dunstan has taken his chance and looks to have the tank to impact full games. Looks like becoming the player we always hoped he would be.
The Dom is good
Roar Rookie
Their massive arrogance got in the way of playing football . Lesson to learn , your never bigger than the game . Well done Saints
We were smashed all over ground completely had pants pulled down as for Rowan Marshall very good footballer who’s very injury prone would be good see him have bit luck for change
Clear as mud
Guest
We should have chucked Balta on ball especially around the grounds. Ryder made our talls look like the young pencils they are (still, Chol dropped many he should have taken) And dog knows Balta was having - another - Barry Crocker at fullback