He was our third ruck and due the injury toll that rucks take he would have got very frequent games as he did.meher baba wrote: ↑Sat 23 Apr 2022 9:27am He showed enough already to prove that he is worthy of an extended contract, and the club has done the right thing by him and for itself.
I’m not sure that he would have been a regular first team selection if he had nor been injured, so his loss is not catastrophic for our chances this year. But he was a terrific backup player. He’ll definitely be missed.
He lacks height but reminds me of Paul Harding a guy who had ruck craft but was just too short to be a dominant ruckman at AFL level.
But that was probably not required.
A second ruck only needs to contest when the opposition goes to their second ruck.
He just needs to compete against their first ruck occasionally where the job is to COMPETE in a manner to stop the opposition ruck from getting a free hit out.
That is what happened at throw ins when Battle had to take over first ruck duties.
Battle tried but was unable to disrupt the opposition rucks.
The Saints lost the hit outs 19 to 72
That's a compete mauling
Fortunately clearances only 36 to 46
But then if you take all the stats where St Kilda only led in handballs & marks you would not believe the score line.
Even after applying disposal efficient to disposals gives GWS the edge.
The one thing St Kilda had was superior coaching.
9 years and still Leon Cameron has not taught GWS to defend, how to attack, how to play as a team, how to play with system.
Too much talent gifted by the AFL made a poor coach competitive over those 9 years.
Giants cabinet should be full of trophies.
They will be a threat if they ever get just an ordinary coach.
