Ruckmen from the VFL

[borderbarry]

Scott Watters has said that we will be looking at the VFL (he may have said State leagues, anybody know what he said?) for ruckmen.
I wonder if Khan Haretuku will be one in mind.
Khan Haretuku was a former St.Kilda rookie, probably wasnt ready at the time. At 22, he is more ready to play now than he was as an 18 year old.

has played predominantly deep forward, but has showed his talents as a ruckmen with a 15 hitout, 4 goal effort against Geelong in round 4.
A big strong prescence up forward, his ungangly kicking style looks awkard, but effect (14 goals, 6 behinds).

At a glance; Khan Haretuku
11 possessions per game
2 goals per game
1.5 contested marks per game
4.5 uncontested marks per game
5.5 hitouts per game
These facts were taken from Big Footy.

[Beno88]

He played alright for the VFL in the state game a few weeks back.

[St Chris]

5.5 hitouts per game would suggest there are better options available - I think we'd be looking at an older guy (27-30ish) to support Big Mac immediately, and probably take an 18 year old in the draft to develop as well...

[borderbarry]

Well what about naming this 27 yr old then!

[plugger66]

If they did a ruckman with some sort of experience it would be my guess he must be able to play forward occasionly when not rucking. The days of the ruckman spending nearly half the game on the bench is over. If they go 2 and 2 on the bench i doubt we would even bother with a another ruckman that will play. We may get someone who will play at Sandy all year baring an injury to Ben. 2 and 2 will probably ensure the second ruckman is just a pinch hitter.

[Scollop]

Barry Brooks??

[Beekay]

Michael Rix coming into his prime years?

[Sobraz]

Stef Martin is one I'd be targeting..

Not generally a fan of picking up rejects, but with Jamar signing and Gawn back next year, as well as Spencer and perhaps Clark, there'd be no place for Martin.. I think he has a bit of ability and has a good go...

[SainterK]

Stef Martin is one I'd be targeting..

I agree...

Or Bellchambers.

[jays]

this is a great idea imo

[Mitch35]

I'd have a look at....

Tom Campbell - Williamstown
201cm
101kg
20 years old
Disposals: 11.4 (avg)
Efficiency: 63.4% (avg)
Hitouts: 32.3 (avg)
Named in the best (top 6) 85.7% of the time this year

then...

Nicholas Meese - Northern Blues.
197cm
105kg
25 in 2013
Disposals: 13.1
Efficiency: 61%
Hitouts: 35.2

[sasaint]

Michael Rix coming into his prime years?

Rix was absolutely dominating in the WAFl last year, and was a stand-out prospect as a mature age selection however he announced his retirement at the end of the year.

Our Sandy ruck must be a consideration. Seems to have performed well all year.

[saint6709]

I'd have a look at....

Tom Campbell - Williamstown
201cm
101kg
20 years old
Disposals: 11.4 (avg)
Efficiency: 63.4% (avg)
Hitouts: 32.3 (avg)
Named in the best (top 6) 85.7% of the time this year

then...

Nicholas Meese - Northern Blues.
197cm
105kg
25 in 2013
Disposals: 13.1
Efficiency: 61%
Hitouts: 35.2

Campbell - pretty well sounds the goods _ I was keen for the club to again talk with Steven Gaertner - think he is 199cm and athletic - can play forward - think watters earmarked this type of versatility in the ruckman they are looking for - problem is as far as I can tell he is not lighting up the field for Dromana ( I think) down the peninsula

[bergholt]

Or Bellchambers.

i just don't understand how we'd get bellchambers, k. essendon only have three ruckmen on their list - hille (31), ryder (24) and bellchambers (23). hille may be good enough to play on but if they lose bellchambers now then they could have a real problem in a year or two.

i think hille is a much more likely option. he could fit in perfectly for a couple of years as a backup forward/ruck - very competitive with kosi in those positions. he's a smart ruckman in the same way steven king was, he rarely gets beaten badly in the taps, and he makes smart position up forward. and if he plays mostly forward then reductions in fitness won't be too much of an issue.

[St Chris]

Or Bellchambers.

i just don't understand how we'd get bellchambers, k. essendon only have three ruckmen on their list - hille (31), ryder (24) and bellchambers (23). hille may be good enough to play on but if they lose bellchambers now then they could have a real problem in a year or two.

i think hille is a much more likely option. he could fit in perfectly for a couple of years as a backup forward/ruck - very competitive with kosi in those positions. he's a smart ruckman in the same way steven king was, he rarely gets beaten badly in the taps, and he makes smart position up forward. and if he plays mostly forward then reductions in fitness won't be too much of an issue.

Essendon are about to get Joe Daniher as a father/son this year, who as a 200cm 17 year old, is getting rave reviews, the talk is that he'd be the No.1 pick by a distance were he to enter the draft proper. You would think he's a way off being number 1 ruckman, but between him, Ryder and Hille for the next 2 years, Bellchambers would probably struggle to get too many games.

Another possible raid could be the Bulldogs. Will Minson is 27 or so, and they have Roughhead, Cordy and Mulligan (21-22) behind him, if they make a decision to rebuild after this year, we might have a chance. And i dont rate Minson particularly highly, but to have a guy who can be backup for Big mac, and ready to go when Stanley goes twang (again), he'd fit the bill IMO.

[dirtydog24]

Campbell is a Bulldogs rookie. Was elevated a fortnight ago.

[SENsei]

Jack Hannath from Central Districts SANFL looks like a likely younger prospect.

From some reports.

[borderbarry]

I thought Campbell was on the Bulldogs list.
So far we have Haretuku, Hannath, Meese who is probably on the short side for AFL, and Sandy's ruckman. Anyone else?

[samoht]

I honestly can't see the big deal about ruckmen, as far as hitouts go, as we've been losing the hitouts but still winning the clearances most games this year.
Essendon had 28 more hitouts than us last week, so what.
.

[desertsaint]

A blessing for Ross when we secured King and Gardiner. If we can snare anyone next year with similar experience for a couple of years it would be invaluable.

[IluvHarvey]

I thought Campbell was on the Bulldogs list.
So far we have Haretuku, Hannath, Meese who is probably on the short side for AFL, and Sandy's ruckman. Anyone else?

Not only is he on their list but has been actually playing for the bulldogs.

[paddy]

what about Majak Daw, he gonna struggle to get a game as a ruck at north....

and is a rookie, who is tall, and very athletic... see him on erol street every now and then, MASSIVE UNIT!