Can Longer and Hickey play in the same team?

[WinnersOnly]

Only if we want to lose every week....

[saint6709]

Longer crashing a pack of two saints big men( Hickey and Bruce ) - spoiling Bruces mark and concussing himself in the process was extraordinary

[whiskers3614]

Only if we want to lose every week....

Think of the draft picks...
might get us a decent ruckman!!

[SaintWodonga]

Hickey got better the further the match went on...

[supersaints]

When the substitute rule goes next year and rotations are lowered again I believe two key ruckman will be a must for most sides

Agree strongly, need to keep both , no one knows for sure the impact of lower rotations and sub rule change, At the worst I see both Ruckmans stock being worth more in trade in another year or so. ( despite one if them playing reserves if two rucks dont work out this early It's wat too early to get rid of either.

[Enrico_Misso]

With only one ruckman Bruce has to help out and that tires him and is one of the reasons his form has dropped away.

Two ruckmen leaves Bruce free to play as a permanent forward and gives us an extra big man to either play a kick behind the play, throw down back for marking support, throw forward as a tall goalsquare option, or rest on the bench.

[mambo2706]

Double post

[HitTheBoundary]

Longer was concussed so give him a rest this week and bring in Holmes.

Firstly, it'll give us an idea of how he is progressing and where the three ruckmen are in terms of development.

Secondly, by all accounts he's worked his butt off and deserves a shot. It'll also be nice to see how the mids go if we win the taps.

Thirdly, it will be against Sandilands which is a tough ask, but Longer or Hickey would most likely lose every centre clearance anyway.

Finally, it'll be a feel good story for the club and positive PR.

[samuraisaint]

It's pretty obvious that we still have a long way to go regarding developing the side. Anybody half decent, besides the Bulldogs, has beaten us pointless this season. This will become even more evident after the next 5 rounds. We are very, very light on for forward depth, and we were shown up in that department today. Hickey did enough today to keep his spot in the side.
And as for Hickey being clumsy and uncoordinated; well, he wasn't the one who crashed into two of his own players in a marking contest, spoling them and then concussing humself. And I am not having a go at Billy either, he wanted to do the right thing and create a contest. It was brave footy.
We have had some good wins this year, and have put in some very promising performances, but trading away developing talent is not the way to improve.

[plugger66]

It's pretty obvious that we still have a long way to go regarding developing the side. Anybody half decent, besides the Bulldogs, has beaten us pointless this season. This will become even more evident after the next 5 rounds. We are very, very light on for forward depth, and we were shown up in that department today. Hickey did enough today to keep his spot in the side.
And as for Hickey being clumsy and uncoordinated; well, he wasn't the one who crashed into two of his own players in a marking contest, spoling them and then concussing humself. And I am not having a go at Billy either, he wanted to do the right thing and create a contest. It was brave footy.
We have had some good wins this year, and have put in some very promising performances, but trading away developing talent is not the way to improve.

I think trading away a player who has spent half the season in the reserves isn't as bad as someone who plays weekly. I don't see how they can play together weekly.

[seano1]

keep both ....Hickey I believe will breakdown....I`m no doctor but watching him run makes me think his legs aren`t right his style or gait isn't smooth and Longer is going to be a brute

[saint6709]

keep both ....Hickey I believe will breakdown....I`m no doctor but watching him run makes me think his legs aren`t right his style or gait isn't smooth and Longer is going to be a brute

I think you might be on to something here

[james rose]

We'll keep both and either trade for a another ruck or draft one.

Only way we don't keep both is if one wants to leave.

[borderbarry]

Was Longer only concussed? He appeared to be limping. If he is to miss a week or two bring in Holmes to play the role Hickey was initally playing. Forward pocket with time on the ball.

[plugger66]

keep both ....Hickey I believe will breakdown....I`m no doctor but watching him run makes me think his legs aren`t right his style or gait isn't smooth and Longer is going to be a brute

Keep both but you think Hickey will break down. Wouldn't you trade him then?

[plugger66]

Was Longer only concussed? He appeared to be limping. If he is to miss a week or two bring in Holmes to play the role Hickey was initally playing. Forward pocket with time on the ball.

Well that would a good way to embarrass him. Must ruck and then go to the bench if he was to play. That then means Hickey plays forward which is no good for him either but you couldn't leave Holmes on his own if he played. That would be totally unfair.

[bob__71]

Plugger I think you have made your argument for not thinking two ruckmen can play in the same side clear. Others of us think they can see what the coaches are trying to develop. I dont think you need to harrass everyone who has a differing opinion. I think its quite simple, we see them as tall players...not just ruckmen. They are like most of our other players, they are young, inexperienced and learning the game. Some are learning their role in reserves, others in the senior team. I think if the ones who develop into the best footballers will be the ones who play in the seniors when we are moving up the ladder. That may mean we have none or three of them in our eventual side.

But I must say that harping on about how you cant see it working does leave people feeling devalued. I know you probably dont care, being anonymous internet forum and all, but sometimes it doesnt hurt to try being a bit nicer to people.

[bergsone]

Longer was concussed so give him a rest this week and bring in Holmes.

Firstly, it'll give us an idea of how he is progressing and where the three ruckmen are in terms of development.

Secondly, by all accounts he's worked his butt off and deserves a shot. It'll also be nice to see how the mids go if we win the taps.

Thirdly, it will be against Sandilands which is a tough ask, but Longer or Hickey would most likely lose every centre clearance anyway.

Finally, it'll be a feel good story for the club and positive PR.

Agree,what have we got to lose