The Handbaggers have no ruckman

[Sainternist]

Geez, they still haven’t solved their ruck problems after 10 years. Perhaps a big factor behind why they couldn’t get another premiership after 2011. Anyway, that hasn’t bothered me, since they are among my three most hated clubs.

But who are they going to have rucking for them on Saturday? Blicavs, again? If Blicavs is in the ruck, then who do they play on King?

They’ll be going up against the Ryder-Marshall combo with no proper ruckman. Surely, this is potentially a huge advantage to our lads. If we can match them in the midfield, I honestly can’t see how we can lose, unless we shoot ourselves in the foot again with inaccurate kicking for goal

[Scollop]

We can’t rely on Paddy and Rowan tapping it down the throat of one of our players who is in motion and we can’t rely on easy clearances against Geelong. That’s not going to happen

We won our fair share of tap outs and our rucks seemed to get first use in the centre and at boundary and throw ins against Melbourne.

The numbers would have had you believe we should have done better than just match Melbourne in clearance, but they had clean exits out of stoppages while we fumbled and had clanger after clanger.

I reckon Geelong are banking on their midfield to be better than us at reading the ruck and better than us at the contest. Selwood, Danger, Duncan, Guthrie and even Parfitt (if he’s playing) are all seasoned campaigners.

[Sainternist]

We can’t rely on Paddy and Rowan tapping it down the throat of one of our players who is in motion and we can’t rely on easy clearances against Geelong. That’s not going to happen

We won our fair share of tap outs and our rucks seemed to get first use in the centre and at boundary and throw ins against Melbourne.

The numbers would have had you believe we should have done better than just match Melbourne in clearance, but they had clean exits out of stoppages while we fumbled and had clanger after clanger.

I reckon Geelong are banking on their midfield to be better than us at reading the ruck and better than us at the contest. Selwood, Danger, Duncan, Guthrie and even Parfitt (if he’s playing) are all seasoned campaigners.

Yeah, those are all valid points. If Duckwood, Dangerfield, Duncan and Guthrie all get 30+ possessions like that foursome of Melbourne mids did last Sunday, that’ll kill us.

Another factor is Ratten’s strategy. Hopefully he doesn’t bring another dud game plan to the table

[SunnyErnie]

We can’t rely on Paddy and Rowan tapping it down the throat of one of our players who is in motion and we can’t rely on easy clearances against Geelong. That’s not going to happen

We won our fair share of tap outs and our rucks seemed to get first use in the centre and at boundary and throw ins against Melbourne.

The numbers would have had you believe we should have done better than just match Melbourne in clearance, but they had clean exits out of stoppages while we fumbled and had clanger after clanger.

I reckon Geelong are banking on their midfield to be better than us at reading the ruck and better than us at the contest. Selwood, Danger, Duncan, Guthrie and even Parfitt (if he’s playing) are all seasoned campaigners.

Yeah, those are all valid points. If Duckwood, Dangerfield, Duncan and Guthrie all get 30+ possessions like that foursome of Melbourne mids did last Sunday, that’ll kill us.

Another factor is Ratten’s strategy. Hopefully he doesn’t bring another dud game plan to the table

Ratten only has 2 moves when things aren't going well. Membrey to the backline and Sinclair to the middle

[SaintPav]

Look who’s calling who a one trick pony!

[bangaulegend]

Have no ruck man? Stanley is as good a ruck man as Marshall ,probably not as good a footballer but their midfield is stronger hence it's more about shutting down centre clearance & quick ball movement into the their forward line because if Hawkins ,Cameron & Co get off the chain we are in huge trouble well IMO anyway

[Impatient Sainter]

Stanley will match Paddy & Blicavs most likely Marshall. Marshall needs a major lift his contested marking is off this season, and he got schooled by Gawn & Jackson in the ruck.

It's all the more reason the Saints should have pulled the trigger on Xerri last trade period.

[mad saint guy]

Stanley will match Paddy & Blicavs most likely Marshall. Marshall needs a major lift his contested marking is off this season, and he got schooled by Gawn & Jackson in the ruck.

It's all the more reason the Saints should have pulled the trigger on Xerri last trade period.

We very well may end up regretting not sending that second round pick to North for Xerri. It seemed like a lot for a guy who was barely getting a game but his early season form suggests he's worth more than a second rounder...

[Banger9798]

Stanley will match Paddy & Blicavs most likely Marshall. Marshall needs a major lift his contested marking is off this season, and he got schooled by Gawn & Jackson in the ruck.

It's all the more reason the Saints should have pulled the trigger on Xerri last trade period.

We very well may end up regretting not sending that second round pick to North for Xerri. It seemed like a lot for a guy who was barely getting a game but his early season form suggests he's worth more than a second rounder...

I think we would have done that deal but needed that pick in order to match bids on our NGAs.

Owens and Windhager in a couple of years will be guns

[SunnyErnie]

Geez, they still haven’t solved their ruck problems after 10 years. Perhaps a big factor behind why they couldn’t get another premiership after 2011. Anyway, that hasn’t bothered me, since they are among my three most hated clubs.

But who are they going to have rucking for them on Saturday? Blicavs, again? If Blicavs is in the ruck, then who do they play on King?

They’ll be going up against the Ryder-Marshall combo with no proper ruckman. Surely, this is potentially a huge advantage to our lads. If we can match them in the midfield, I honestly can’t see how we can lose, unless we shoot ourselves in the foot again with inaccurate kicking for goal

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

[saynta]

Geez, they still haven’t solved their ruck problems after 10 years. Perhaps a big factor behind why they couldn’t get another premiership after 2011. Anyway, that hasn’t bothered me, since they are among my three most hated clubs.

But who are they going to have rucking for them on Saturday? Blicavs, again? If Blicavs is in the ruck, then who do they play on King?

They’ll be going up against the Ryder-Marshall combo with no proper ruckman. Surely, this is potentially a huge advantage to our lads. If we can match them in the midfield, I honestly can’t see how we can lose, unless we shoot ourselves in the foot again with inaccurate kicking for goal

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

I suppose Pussy Hollow is a no no too.

[Life Long Saint]

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

I suspect that calling out another poster by name in an unrelated thread is baiting!

[saynta]

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

I suspect that calling out another poster by name in an unrelated thread is baiting!

[Scollop]

Stanley will match Paddy & Blicavs most likely Marshall. Marshall needs a major lift his contested marking is off this season, and he got schooled by Gawn & Jackson in the ruck.

It's all the more reason the Saints should have pulled the trigger on Xerri last trade period.

Ryder and Marshall have had interrupted seasons and it’s showing. Not so much with their ruck craft, but more so with their fitness and their work after the tap outs.

What is clear with both Gawn and Jackson is that after the tap outs they become really useful midfielders.

Paddy and Rowan need to be on their game defensively to be effective for us because Stanley and Blicavs have speed, so you don’t want them being used to run the footy out of clearances.

[SunnyErnie]

Geez, they still haven’t solved their ruck problems after 10 years. Perhaps a big factor behind why they couldn’t get another premiership after 2011. Anyway, that hasn’t bothered me, since they are among my three most hated clubs.

But who are they going to have rucking for them on Saturday? Blicavs, again? If Blicavs is in the ruck, then who do they play on King?

They’ll be going up against the Ryder-Marshall combo with no proper ruckman. Surely, this is potentially a huge advantage to our lads. If we can match them in the midfield, I honestly can’t see how we can lose, unless we shoot ourselves in the foot again with inaccurate kicking for goal

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

I suppose Pussy Hollow is a no no too.

[SunnyErnie]

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

I suspect that calling out another poster by name in an unrelated thread is baiting!

[Sainternist]

Geez, they still haven’t solved their ruck problems after 10 years. Perhaps a big factor behind why they couldn’t get another premiership after 2011. Anyway, that hasn’t bothered me, since they are among my three most hated clubs.

But who are they going to have rucking for them on Saturday? Blicavs, again? If Blicavs is in the ruck, then who do they play on King?

They’ll be going up against the Ryder-Marshall combo with no proper ruckman. Surely, this is potentially a huge advantage to our lads. If we can match them in the midfield, I honestly can’t see how we can lose, unless we shoot ourselves in the foot again with inaccurate kicking for goal

Be careful Saintermist, Life Long Saint won't take too kindly to you saying "The Handbaggers"!!!

Hahaha I’m sure LLS is familiar with that old nickname Geelong earned from about 40 years ago when they handballed too much. I mean, I could have used their other old nickname: “The Window-Winders”

[Sainternist]

Have no ruck man? Stanley is as good a ruck man as Marshall ,probably not as good a footballer but their midfield is stronger hence it's more about shutting down centre clearance & quick ball movement into the their forward line because if Hawkins ,Cameron & Co get off the chain we are in huge trouble well IMO anyway

Ah, Stanley is back in their team. My bad.

He’s a bum! I was flabbergasted that we got pick 21 in trading him. We acquired Hugh Goddard with that pick, so I guess Geelong got the better of that trade. Mind you, they still have Stanley in their team. Imagine keeping a list-clogger for that long!

[B.M]

Love to see Marshall’s numbers when Paddy is in the side compared to when he’s not


I reckon if he played the entire year as an 80% ruckman

He would probably win the B&F or go close

In this role he won’t (nor will Paddy) be in the top 10

Blicvas is 198cm and easily capable of competing in the ruck and then dominating around the ground!