McEvoy long-term

[dcstkfc]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

[Dan Warna]

doesn't seem that bad to me.

How old is he?

How does he compare to other ruckman at a similar age for progression?

[plugger66]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

[Sainternist]

A great match-up between Mac and Goldstein today. Both players quite solid for their respective teams.

Mac is getting better every week. This year is proving to be some invaluable experience for him. Can't see why he can't become a long term acquisition as tap-ruckman. I guess we'll still need a replacement for MG come end of season though.

[dcstkfc]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

[Dan Warna]

I would say goldsteins impact on the game was minimal despite his states.

McEvoys contested marking at the end of the game was the stand out feature and frankly he and fisher stopped them coming over the top of us.

was good during the game, was the best player in the 4th quarter.

[plugger66]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

As you said played well around the ground. Couldnt do that as a key position player and also that is more important than those silly hitouts.

[dcstkfc]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

As you said played well around the ground. Couldnt do that as a key position player and also that is more important than those silly hitouts.

Fair enough. You've convinced me. Unless we found another big utility like a Naitanui and McEvoy turned into a fully fledged midfielder.

[InkerSaint]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

Really? Source?

Both main ruckmen were even in hitouts to advantage at halftime.

[dcstkfc]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

Surely you are joking. He is getting better every game.

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

Really? Source?

Both main ruckmen were even in hitouts to advantage at halftime.

Don't have a source but I look at this stat regularly in the paper and he's usually poor in this regard. However it could be due to our poor midfield.

[Teflon]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

I was a critic of McEvoy in this regard earlier but in truth he's actually improved. I was worried he couldnt get off the ground to match it with the mobile ruck BUT I reckon now with some time and added weight....he'll be fine.

Right now from McEvoy we just need a contest.

The guys a baby in ruck terms, is carrying the entire teams ruck brigade on hos shoulders at 21 and today took on one of THE most on-form rucks going round and I thought he outshone him -some big marks late in that game were important.

His tap work will improve and in some respects than god Gardiners injured cause McEvoys solid development has been a ray of light in a shyte year - and god knows we'll need him next year cause we've seen the last of Gardiner IMO.

[Dan Warna]

don't often agree with teffers but 100% on the button here.

[Dr Spaceman]

Should he be played as a tap-ruckman? His hands are that good and his tap-work that poor that I wonder if he'd be better as a key-position player.

I was a critic of McEvoy in this regard earlier but in truth he's actually improved. I was worried he couldnt get off the ground to match it with the mobile ruck BUT I reckon now with some time and added weight....he'll be fine.

Right now from McEvoy we just need a contest.

The guys a baby in ruck terms, is carrying the entire teams ruck brigade on hos shoulders at 21 and today took on one of THE most on-form rucks going round and I thought he outshone him -some big marks late in that game were important.

His tap work will improve and in some respects than god Gardiners injured cause McEvoys solid development has been a ray of light in a shyte year - and god  knows we'll need him next year cause we've seen the last of Gardiner IMO.

No no no no.

We must trade Roo, BJ and Dal for Bellchambers!

[Legendary]

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

Round 10 vs. Fremantle (Griffin). Lost hitouts 28-38.
Round 11 vs. Collingwood (Wood). Won hitouts 38-34.
Round 12 vs. Bulldogs (Hudson). Lost hitouts 20-22.
Round 13 vs. Geelong (Ottens). Won hitouts 37-26.
Round 15 vs. Kangaroos (Goldstein). Lost hitouts 45-25.

I'm sorry, but he is not constantly "smashed" in the hitouts. He has improved enormously in this area, and is breaking even or winning in most matches over the last 5-6 weeks.


In fact his result against Goldstein tonight was his worst all year, and yet I thought he was the more dominant ruckman on the ground.

[gringo]

He is getting better but still not an a grade tap ruckman. Very good around the ground though. He will keep getting played as a ruck because long term that will be where we need him most. Could still use a back up. I'm a big fan of Goldstien, he is going to be awesome in a couple of years along with Bigmac.

[Teflon]

He's playing brilliantly around the ground but is consistently smashed in the hit-outs and the hit-outs to advantage.

Round 10 vs. Fremantle (Griffin). Lost hitouts 28-38.
Round 11 vs. Collingwood (Wood). Won hitouts 38-34.
Round 12 vs. Bulldogs (Hudson). Lost hitouts 20-22.
Round 13 vs. Geelong (Ottens). Won hitouts 37-26.
Round 15 vs. Kangaroos (Goldstein). Lost hitouts 45-25.

I'm sorry, but he is not constantly "smashed" in the hitouts. He has improved enormously in this area, and is breaking even or winning in most matches over the last 5-6 weeks.


In fact his result against Goldstein tonight was his worst all year, and yet I thought he was the more dominant ruckman on the ground.

Thats weird I did too. Looking at those stats Goldstein appears to have murdered him.....watching the game live I felt McEvoy had greater impact.....I may have to use 2 eyes from now on...

[BigMart]

Goldstean was named their best player

Had the most 'whatever it is points' 130


I thought he played a great game....he will get two brownlow votes

[savatage]

Was absolutely on fire today. Match saving marks in the last quarter.

[Teflon]

Goldstean was named their best player

Had the most 'whatever it is points' 130


I thought he played a great game....he will get two brownlow votes

I was at the game.

I could care less what "Nths bests" mean.

McEvoy was singled out by the coach in his presser today (and he doesnt do that a lot) up against a games "star".....I reckon he did fairly well...

Its ok to be positive about the side occasionally...

[I Love Peter Kiel]

I reckon McEvoy is Len Thompson reincarnated...he's getting better each year.

I'll go out on a limb...he could become one of THE dominant ruckmen in the AFL

[desertsaint]

thought he was the worst ruck in the game, with little upside. but good around the ground.
but has won me over since the freo game - tonight he got well beaten in the ruck sure enough, but covered that to some extent around the ground.
very pleased with him at the moment.

[saintbrat]

Ben is proving to be a great leader of the Saints at even his young age- will be 22 in a week ( 11/7)
he is effectively just playing in his 3rd year ( only 1 game the year before)

he stands tall in the centre and has taken on fronting for the saints with the media as well ( which appears to be the new skill players need to develop almost equally along with skills)

http://www.finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1861

the weekends game was his best for personal disposals although not his personal high for hit outs.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT

Todd Goldstein continues to be a revelation as North's first ruckman and his duel with another of the AFL's best young rucks, Ben McEvoy, was a highlight. Goldstein's hands were superb (47 hit-outs) and he was arguably the Roos' best. But McEvoy (23 disposals, 11 marks, 25 hit-outs) made his presence felt, too.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/s ... z1R5LKzVXa

[Dan Warna]

let us go back to clarke keating v Josh fraser. Fraser had the better stats, we all know who won the ruck contest.

Goldstein is a quality unit, damn it if we had goldstein and McEvoy we'd have the best ruck div in the league.

IMO with the exception of a couple of missed tackles and the pass off, McEvoy's game was spot on 8.5/10. Goldstein didn't seem to tap to advantage, and while he got first hands to the ball as more than McEvoy, it wasn't effective.

McEvoy's marking in the 4th quarter, when the saints were dead, along with Fisher, were why we got 4 points and not an 'honourable' loss.

I hope with MG back, MG can be the resting back ruckman, and McEvoy the resting forward ruck, giving the opposition some real real worries.

bog for the saints for me.

[The OtherThommo]

Goldstean was named their best player

Had the most 'whatever it is points' 130


I thought he played a great game....he will get two brownlow votes

According to the HS Goldstein had 138 'whatever it is points'. McEvoy had 141. Goddard game high 161, Dal Santo 139.

[Mr Magic]

Goldstein is a quality unit, damn it if we had goldstein and McEvoy we'd have the best ruck div in the league.

Unfortunately his Father never went on from our U19's back in the early 70's.