Problem for Lavender is going to be building the upper body strength, history of shoulder (and back?) injuries may limit his ability to add size/strength to compete with the gorillas.
He certainly has the physicality and athleticism to match modern KPFs.
That’s what he needs in my opinion. He’s big enough and he’s certainly athletic enough. The trouble with that is that Draper is also just learning his trade after coming from a soccer background, and his biggest weakness at present is his positioning around the ground, and knowing where to go and when to do it. I doubt we can play two rucks who are both in the same boat in that regard.
Luke probably should really play a season at a lower level as a ruck, and then return to our magoos, at which time you would hope Draper has progressed the deficient parts of his game to a point we can afford to carry another developing ruck. Trouble is, I don’t think the rules allow that.
I’m glad if it is possible, it is a real conundrum developing rucks.
Boot is right, it is just so hard to give Luke any ruck time with Draper, Smack and even Stewart needing to either develop or keep their hand in as a ruck given the senior side needs this backup. There probably will be another ruckman needed in the side, if Leuey retires. We only have Belly as a fully fledged ruck option, so one more full time ready to go ruck is probably needed, with Draper let alone Luke needing to develop, they will also need to play in another position most of the time.
I think Luke developing as a player/ruckman and getting confidence at a lower grade is a good option for 2019, with maybe revisiting the VFL later in the season, especially if injury means more ruck options are needed.
It certainly is. I think it may’ve even be available last season for clubs without a development league team. North had their B list signing Tom Jeffries play mostly for Avondale Heights during the season. I would expect this to be the norm for some internationals and B list signings going forward, as there have been plenty of even ND recruits over the years who weren’t ready for VFL football and learnt aspects of the game in the development leagues. Not every recruit is going to be best served throwing them in and hoping they’ll grasp things within a few games.
With Draper taking up ruck time, Francis moving to the ones, Heartly possibly going to GWS. Maybe a FB/CHB year is on the cards? We will need a Hooker replacement in 2-3 and he appears to be a big athletic lad?