Talk about making mountains out of molehills. I realise you did not state it ruins players - I was responding to the content of the relevant posts. Not having a dig at you.skeptic wrote: ↑Fri 12 Apr 2019 1:10pmSo you don’t like this type of set up and would do something different if it was viable?takeaway wrote: ↑Thu 11 Apr 2019 11:51pmNo, Hawks have 2 rucks, I would have had Longer in, but maybe he is not ready. Pierce not showing much form. Hence according to form/availability, one ruck selected, with relief provided by Bruce, Wilkie, Acres, etc. So we are just doing the same as other teams with one main ruck - Tigers used Jack R, Cripps is used for Blues, Fyfe at boundary throw ins, and plenty of others. So these clubs are also ruining those players? Not just "bad habits" by Saints only. That was my point.skeptic wrote: ↑Thu 11 Apr 2019 10:09pmStrange post.takeaway wrote: ↑Thu 11 Apr 2019 8:42pmYes, Jack Reiwoldt, Taylor Walker, Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfe, etc etc all played in the ruck. It ruins them. So many clubs copying Richo. Trendsetter.skeptic wrote: ↑Thu 11 Apr 2019 8:15pmWhen did he ever stop...WellardSaint wrote: ↑Thu 11 Apr 2019 7:46pm so will AR throw Baroose in the ruck at various stages? And will Acres stay in to provide another ruck option?
He's reverted to old bad habits. Leave Baroose and Blacres out of the flamin ruck, it RUINS them
Are you arguing that it’s working well for us? Is there an alternate universe where Acres was BOG last week.
They also may not wish to lose pace by adding another ruck. Not sure what you are getting at in comment re Acres.
I have to imagine however that you’re aware that we’ve been doing this heavily over 3 years with guys like Bruce, Gilbert, Paddy, Acres and Steel amongst the relief options.
See I just don’t understand what drives you to makes posts like these. Why are you trying to swat criticism away from something you don’t even agree with. Nowhere in this thread have I said it ruins players.
Yes I’m critical of Richo. In this instance the move with the ruck has repeatedly proven to be a failure...
Second ruck (the player who is not actually a ruck) gets beaten comprehensively in the middle. The Saints generally struggle more in the middle during this time.
It impacts said players performance in their primary role... Bruce’s output as a forward has dropped since he started doing it... hadn’t done anything for Acres, Steele or Paddy.
Development wise it’s done nothing for us. Pierce has languished Sandy not able to get games... ditto Marshall until injuries gave him a chance and both Hickey + Longer have struggled over years... pbly because they’re not good enough to carry a ruck division without any adequate support.
So all things considered what motivates my posts is that the move sucks, it has a detrimental impact on the team, and is a contributing factor to our stalling development.
But you... you’re motivated by what?
Having a dig at me because I irritate you? Wanting to stand up for the coach because he’s maligned?
Wanting to show you’re a good, loyal supporter?
Whatever your reason it’s not because you genuinely think this is a good move... but rather pushes the narrative of whatever personal agenda you want to push.
And your way of thinking is actually hurting the club as it contributes to the continuation of an obviously stupid move that objectively is terrible.
So much of this forum as of late is ppl pushing a personal agenda that’s not based on what is observably happening
- Hannebery out of our leadership group is a great sign/move
- Essendon and GC are great wins. Essendon are top 4 and GC aren’t terrible
- Paddy is looking good for a breakout year
- Longer is dominating the VFL with his presence (not just winning hit outs in beaten midfield and doing SFA else)
- Weller playing for Richmond vindicates Richo playing him relentlessly when he was in poor form
- Saints have played 3 games vs 3 non-finalists... 2 of which were decided by less than a kick and the other by a 3 goals and look to regenerated and be September bound
It’s quite hard to read
As stated in my last post, against Hawks (and Melb if Pruess in) I would prefer 2 rucks. But the actual situation is Longer not AFL fit yet (I assume, or they want to keep their speed) and Pierce does not deserve a game. So the best alternative is Marshall, with relief provided by Bruce, etc. Not a stupid move. What else can they do? Give Lonie a go?
As twirlyhair said in the post before yours -
“Yep. It is the trend now, with clubs really cautious they are not top heavy. Having the midfielders shark a losing ruckman is key.”
I agree with this. Many clubs are playing one main ruckman and filling in with Riewoldts, Cripps,etc. Others like Hawks, Pies have two mobile capable rucks and can play 2. We’ll see how it plays out during the season with the new rules and a bit more space playing a part. I think it is likely to see the “mini rucks” being an increasing trend, it will be interesting. Has Richo got a crystal ball?
I’m hoping when ready Longer can play in the same team as Marshall, and take the majority of the hit outs, but obviously not feasible or preferred at the moment. It also may make us too top heavy, with Carlisle as well. So we go with the current selections & Bruce & co, similar to quite a few other teams.
No personal agendas (where did that come from?), just observations, and I’m not expecting a Saints’ flag this year, but the trends are looking good.