Sure and we might not be disagreeing really… I just don’t think that calling up a local league battler ruck to get smashed in the VFL is a good outcome. Having a competitive VFL team is good for helping the kids down there develop.
Gerreyn has been playing more ruck in the VFL since Goldy was called up to the AFL squad by the way. So it’s already happening and its not ideal.
We’ve still got options who can play ruck at senior level like Wright and even McKay at a stretch without pulling Vigo out of the VFL for extended periods.
Yes agree we should draft a ruck who has potential to provide value in the medium to long term but I just don’t see the point in trying to fill a hole for 12 weeks when we’re clearly not contending.
And I would rather not do that.
I would rather bring someone in so we can keep some semblance of team structure, and (apparently…I’m being idealistic here) learn to play whatever it is we’re supposed to be learning to play with the players in the right positions
Is a player like Crossley really giving you anything a makeshift AFL quality player can’t?
We’ve seen how much a half retired Goldstein struggles to be competitive, what makes you think a discarded jobber would be any different.
The fact is there’s just not that many semi talented rucks available at the moment.
Nothing wrong with having our mids learn to rove off the opposition ruck at times for the rest of the season either.
As long as he can run out a game, I don’t really care.
I want us to play a ruck. He’s probably going to lose his position, but that’s not the end of the world and could actually be beneficial.
I don’t want the rest of our structures bastardised and starting from scratch in 2026 when there’s an alternative.
To be fair I’m probably biased as I think our structures are already ■■■■■■. We set up far too tall and get smashed in ground ball contests all over the ground.
Sure, I can appreciate that view.
I think the issue is Goldy won’t be able to play every game.
So you have to have someone. At least to provide a contest.
Cox simply won’t cut it.
That’s fine just not that enamoured with the prospect of a guy like Crossley over say someone like Krueger or McMahon who at least could play a role going forward and is arguably just as capable in the short term anyway.
For me if it’s a choice between crossley and Krueger then it’s Krueger everyday of the week.
But with our second or third pick the first should be the young talented guy to fill a long term list need
Just to reiterate what I’ve said before - I’m not in favour of recruiting Crossley. He’s had a heap of chances to crack AFL lists in the past few years and every time he’s turned up out of shape. I don’t trust that guy has the drive or work ethic for it.
Especially for our group who prefer a party over a contested possession
That’s a waste of time and resources, to do this.
The season is a write off.
I’m in agreement with you on this point broadly. But I think we still need to create an environment that’s conducive to developing the talent we have on the list right now. I’m not talking about sacrificing the future for winning a couple of meaningless games this year. I’m talking about having a ruck division that’s not going to get rolled over and dominated so badly each week that our midfield gets dominated at stoppage and we lose territory and our forwards completely starved of opportunity.
100%, people don’t understand the follow on effect for development of others if the ruck division is getting smacked.
We saw first hand against Bulldogs what it’s like with having a cooked Goldstien imagine having no ruck yikes
A cooked Goldy would still destroy Crossley
Ruckmen are over rated.
Bringing in a bang average, Lumbering, state league Ruckmen who doesn’t have AFL level fitness……. For just 6 months, in a season which is a write off, is one of the sillier things I’ve seen on here.
Not about winning games we need a proper ruck to compete our mids wont be able to get their hands on the ball. We will get smashed out of the middle every week with no recognized ruck
Why are you reply to me, when you have not addressed any points I just made?