Actually following Draper’s ruck progression goes something like the following;
Was promising against fellow baby Rucks and good at boundary throw ins. Struggled against the big bodied mature VFL ruck spuds.
Started to beat the big heavy spuds, first at centre bounces then at ball ups. Struggled a bit against leaping ruckmen. (Such as Jol) Note the VFL doesn’t have many of these to learn against.
Late in Sammy’s second season started to dominate the leapers- when to leap himself, how to initiate body contact etc.
And he still seems to enjoy a bit of secondary body work if the ball isn’t cleared. As far as stoppage ruck is concerned I reckon blokes like “Highlights” Gawn and Grundy would get a bit of a surprise. They might find their run from packs is being blocked by a bloke with similar attributes.
It’s Sammy’s round the ground work, particularly his offensive positioning, that still needs work. And more consistent kicking.
What about Chris Carey ? Has no one spoken to him ? He’s 6’6", 24 years old, and has been rucking with Port Melbourne for the last two seasons. I don’t fully understand the system but it seems to me that if he’d nominate for the draft we could get him as FS. His father is Steve Carey, 1985 Essendon premiership player who racked up 105 games for the Club.
Draper could well be better, but Carey’s a damn good ruckman, too. I’ve always believed you need two ruckmen in the Ones and at least one in reserve.
They could each alternate between first ruck in the Magoos and back-up to TBC in the Ones. And if TBC went down, they’d go well together. It’s worth considering.
The inevitable Bellchambers injury could come half way through the season meaning Draper’s debut next season could be a while away. Plenty of time between then and now for him to hone his craft.
Doesn’t matter if he gets beaten in his first games. Back the bloke in and f**k chasing a back up ruckman.
Sammy is definitely ready to have a run at senior level. Still a significant question mark on whether he could backup over the course of a few weeks against senior ruckmen. Also could actually stifle his development in the long term if he is required to carry a heavy load at this young age.
Would give him a JLT game as no1 ruck and a couple of games during the year if TBell need a rest and drapes was smashing the vfl.
However, with the 6 players we are going to draft in the next few weeks, makes sense to spend a list spot a senior ruck such as Darcy Fort. We should be in the mix for finals/flag and it is a good contingency to put into place.
Draper is looking really promising and showed significant improvement this year but why take a big risk when there’s an opportunity to mitigate it with depth.
Aceman in watching SANFL says otherwise. Callum Twomey indicates he’s one of the more likely mature agers to get picked up.
Rucks are vitally important in today’s game so to have 3 genuine rucks (2 of which developing) would not be a waste of a list spot at all IMO. And actually good planning for post Belly.
If Dodoro/recruitment team offered Leuey a contract and also are saying we looking for a ruck now he didn’t take it then we need one.
TBell hasn’t missed much footy over the last 2 seasons. Is injury really inevitable?
Based on the traditional history of a lot or rucks (ie. playing their best footy late in their career) and the fact he’s had 2 relatively injury free seasons as a base, I reckon there is a reasonable chance Belly’s best footy could still be ahead of him
I’d love to see him play a full season but missing four games last year is as close as he’s come throughout his career.
I agree his best footy is ahead of him but I’d imagine he’d miss at least a game or two next season. Hell, I’d happily rest him for a week in the second half of the year if it meant giving Draper a taste for it (and assuming the club thought he was ready).