new ruck coach

[Otiman]

We have a vast range of ruckmen on our list, all of whom could be anything from zero to hero. Having a ruck coach of some merit will skew at least one or two of these guys to 'hero'.


Gardiner - Former AA ruckman with attitude and injury clouds, which appear to be lifting. Not holding my breath.
King - Solid. The Matthew Clarke of 2008, but with a possibility of playing more than one season. Will be able to empart experience to the younger kids.
Rix - Steady improver and extremely hard worker. Works well defensively but needs to add an offensive string.
Koschitzke - Power forward who can ruck if need be. I hope that he will settle into more of a forward role who can relieve in the ruck for short periods of time.
Van Rheenen - Still an unknown quanitity, is monster-sized and just needs to get some instinctive football happening.
McEvoy - Reserving my judgement, but rated as the second best ruckman behind #1 pick Kreuzer, with sticky fingers - Could be Kosi mark 2, or could be groomed to be a Gardiner-like player.

[midas_touch]

Seems like another great pickup by the Saints in an off season which has so far promised a lot. Our rucks are bound to get a lot out of Madden.

[saint patrick]

The news just gets better and better

...this guy is the doyen of ruckman IMO...was a genuine star and matchwinner...can't wait already

[Teflon]

Well done Mat Drain and Ross Lyon.

Fancy NOT having a decent ruck coach over the last 5 yrs carrying on about Crabs instead of getting on with it.

[Armoooo]

I am quite excited about young Van Rheenan, he is a young raw talent who seems to be a head of schedule... by the age of 20 he will have already dealt with Matthew Clarke, Michael Gardiner, Steven King, Simon Madded and Justin Koschitzke, he has so many people to look up to and learn from, he should have a big future, same goes for McEvoy but probably a bit later... and with more of a goal kicking focus...

[saintsRrising]

King - Solid. The Matthew Clarke of 2008, but with a possibility of playing more than one season. Will be able to empart experience to the younger kids.
.

With King being 29 that would seem a bit harsh.....


.......and though some seem critical of M Clarke I am not sure why...recruited with a very cheap PSD pick he was taken as back up for one year......a role he fulfilled.....and a role he was actually required for with Gardi not playing.

[vacuous space]

.......and though some seem critical of M Clarke I am not sure why

Clarke didn't live up to his reputation of one of the premier tap ruckmen in the league. He was average at best in the ruck, and while he did better than expected at filling the hole and even got a few touches in contested situations, he didn't prove a worthwile acquisition. RL didn't even play Clarke in crucial games even when he was available.

[Otiman]

With King being 29 that would seem a bit harsh.....

Why? I was referring to him being a seasoned, premiership ruckman. Mature aged so not looked upon as a long term prospect. 5 or 6 seasons is still "more than one". Stop reading negative comments where there are none.

[Armoooo]

It was a valid comparison Otiman however you may want to wait a while before mentioning Matthew Clarke's name around here again
Not that he did anything wrong really, just that us fans had too high expectations for him...

[Shaggy]

Simon Madden is a terrific pick up.

I am only concerned that RL may try and talk him out of retirement

[Armoooo]

Simon Madden is a terrific pick up.

I only hope that RL may try and talk him out of retirement

I'm with ya there buddy

just joking...

[SaintHomer]

madden is probably the best ruckman i've seen play.

having said that (and not knowing his recent coaching history), my honest first thoughts were why get a ruckman who hasn't played for 20+ years in a position that has had so many rule changes and even tactical/positional changes since he played.

happy to go with the club on this one though.

[saintly]

madden is probably the best ruckman i've seen play.

having said that (and not knowing his recent coaching history), my honest first thoughts were why get a ruckman who hasn't played for 20+ years in a position that has had so many rule changes and even tactical/positional changes since he played.

happy to go with the club on this one though.

in 2007 he coached in the suburban leagues as well. so its not as if he has done nothing in the last 20 years.

[supersaints]

Good news , I think he will really help the young guys... I expect big luke to get a call up this year.............

[Otiman]

It was a valid comparison Otiman

Okay, let me elaborate a tad more.

At the time of recruitment, King and Clarke have about the same 'expectations' on them. This is obviously discounting the 2007 season, which is all but wiped from my memory banks at present.

[Megamaguire]

Good to see Rossi persevering until he gets what he feels is necessary in the ruck dept. Hope Madden is able to impart plenty. With a settled and predictable ruck factor Ross could well have the necessary impact we all hope for.

Keep at it Rossi Lyon.

G O S A I N T S !

[stinger]

Apart from his ruck coaching abilities....Madden with his great record and status will add a little extra credibility and oomph around the club...


Van Reehan and McEvoy will benefit greatly.....as will no doubt Kosi and Rix......and then to a lesser extend Gardiner and King (only because they are already cpable ruckman, but anyone will always benefit froma good coach).

Kosi will bea very very interesting one to watch for apart from injuries I have long thought that his game was held back ruckwise in that he seemed to go about his ruckwork very poorly.

At bounce ups he often stands in the wrong postions and his tap work is quite ordinary. If Madden can really sharpen him up in these aspects his impact on the game could increase enormously.

Don't get me wrong.....when Kosi is fit I really rate him asa power forward and for his around the ground work and that fora big guy his footskills are very good...but his ruckplay has in the main been ofa low standard.

Back to MvEvoy...what a boost for him....originally joininga club often laughed at for it's rucks whereas now in his formative years (lets hope Madden styas more than one) he will get to work with Madded.....as well asa expereienced old hand in King.

you forgot to mention blake....

[LTN16]

madden is probably the best ruckman i've seen play.

Better than Cox ??

[stinger]

.......and though some seem critical of M Clarke I am not sure why

Clarke didn't live up to his reputation of one of the premier tap ruckmen in the league. He was average at best in the ruck, and while he did better than expected at filling the hole and even got a few touches in contested situations, he didn't prove a worthwile acquisition. RL didn't even play Clarke in crucial games even when he was available.

he was actually a very very poor player for us this past year.....and his recruitment probably nailed brooks' coffin shut......didn't do us or brooks any favors, recruiting that log.....

[SaintHomer]

madden is probably the best ruckman i've seen play.

Better than Cox ??

yeap, i think so. hard to compare as the ruckman role has changed quite a bit in the past 20 years. cox plays more of a 4th onballer, rather than a traditonal ruckman.

i see your point, but i stand by my comment. madden was an awesome tap ruckman through the 80's and a big reason Essendon won back to back.

then again, is it the onballers that make the ruckman? kerr, judd and cousins could make a lot of ruckmen look pretty good. don't want to take away from cox though. best mobile bigman i've seen.

the value of ruckman is an interesting debate.

[saintsRrising]

Anyone know when he commences (as in being at training) with us????

[LTN16]

madden is probably the best ruckman i've seen play.

Better than Cox ??

yeap, i think so. hard to compare as the ruckman role has changed quite a bit in the past 20 years. cox plays more of a 4th onballer, rather than a traditonal ruckman.

i see your point, but i stand by my comment. madden was an awesome tap ruckman through the 80's and a big reason Essendon won back to back.

then again, is it the onballers that make the ruckman? kerr, judd and cousins could make a lot of ruckmen look pretty good. don't want to take away from cox though. best mobile bigman i've seen.

the value of ruckman is an interesting debate.

I've never seen Madden play but its interesting that you say he was better than Cox. He must have been one hell of a ruckman.

[SaintBot]

Anyone know when he commences (as in being at training) with us????

was meant to be early january i think...pehaps he has done work in the closed sessions