I reckon it was pretty obvious to most at the time that Salmon was always would be a better ruck than Somerville and Alessio.
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Salmon wasn’t even rucking in 1995: Somerville had more than ten times as many hitouts.
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On talent, but he was always fighting his body. Let’s stop pretending that wasn’t a huge frustration for club and fans (and probably him).
He played a grand total of 2 full seasons in his career - 1987, when he was 22, and his last at Hawthorn, when he was 35yo.
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Yep. And Somerville was top 10 or something in the brownlow. That one brief moment when he looked like he’d become a star came at the absolute worst possible moment for Salmon.
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Yep, 12 votes that year (back when as little as 18 would allow a non-midfielder to win the thing)… and 12 more votes in his other 11 senior seasons.
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Well Phillips can run, jump and play small - unlike TBC. TBH, TBC has been a victim of Essendonitis, which most have had since 2000.
This curse has to finish … please 
Here are Phillips stats which actually matter as a ruckman. Clearly pretty good for the limited time he plays, with many areas he’s considered “elite” and “above average” in. Think he will be number 1 ruck come round 1, with potentially Draper coming in late in the year.
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A ruckman is more than just hit outs and clearances.
Marks & intercept / contested marks are also important.
As is general mobility round the ground to provide contests and options up the line.
For example that’s where Newman shines, and makes Richmond a better team.
The perceived knock on Phillips is his mobility around the ground.
Given this is where injuries have significantly affected Belly it’s a bit of a moot point.
On the other hand I expect Draper to be available for the preseason games.
So that means three rucks available
I’m also suss on Draper being back for pre-season games.
Minimum 9 months post ACLR brings him to early/mid-Feb.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see the club be conservative and we don’t see him til the season proper starts.
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But I don’t believe that’s a big need for us, we struggled last year in terms of being first to the ball in the second part of the year. Phillips can help the midfield group In allowing our forwards the first chance
No chance draper is ready for pre season games
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Draper will be back around Anzac Day I reckon given on when he did the injury, and hes a big guy.
Draper won’t be back playing until May/June.
VFL start around then? Or will that be pushing for AFL selection?
I loved Newman especially when he was at his smug best, much to Jerry’s chagrin. l only wish he had played a bigger part, and more often.
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David Hille did his knee on ANZAC day 2009 and I’m sure he was ready to go at the start of 2010.
Obviously not everyone recovers the same, but there has to be at least a 50% chance he’s ready for the start of the season
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What’s hilley up to these days
Draper did his ACL at the start of May
10 months, which is the current time out for most players these days, means the start of March for a return.
Recent ACL treatment doesn’t have a lot of phased introduction to game time in most cases. A couple of shorter runs and that’s it.
Just in time for the last preseason game - note I don’t expect full game time then, but certainly a run.
Segues neatly into a VFL practice game a fortnight after that.
Get through both then we’ll see.
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Says who?
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The conventional 12 months recovery from an ACL.
He may be back earlier but I doubt they are going to rush a 100+kgs ruckman back.
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