If we could say for sure that Goldy’s body is going to stand up to playing every game of the season the rest of the way at AFL level without wear and tear breaking him down and niggles reducing his impact, and the same for Vigo at VFL level… then I think I’d be happy with that. But its such a risk. I just can’t see Goldy going the rest of the way without needing time off, or without his capacity suffering, which is to say nothing about missed games through injury. The same with Vigo in the VFL, we’re only one injury away from Gerreyn rucking or having to call up a local league battler.
I just don’t think its sensible to not take a ruck in the MSD.
Also, we are worried about Goldy not lasting the season, yet there is talk of him going around again. Why would we want someone as backup if they can’t last a season?
Since Draper & Bryan have gone down we’ve lost our ability to take a contested mark coming out of defence. Caddy and Wright are pushing so far into a defensive half to take a mark then there’s no one forward. The impact to our structure is part of the reason why we go backwards and sideways so often as we have no taller players to take a grab. Doesn’t help with Jones down either (not that he was doing anything)
Yes I believe it matters. If you’re playing Alwyn in the ruck at VFL level the team is going to get smashed every week, we’re going to lose the territory battle, our mids won’t be able to get their hands on the ball and our developing forwards will be starved of opportunities.
We’ve been through this already in this thread a couple of times.
If you don’t believe rucks are important then fine - but I disagree.
If you believe that it doesnt matter if our VFL team is completely uncompetitive for the rest of the season then fine - but I disagree.
I get it. I still think that if you are going to look to bring in another ruck in the MSD, bring in another young ruck who may need some development, but could be around for years to come. Play Vigo in the AFL team if Goldy needs a rest, it doesn’t matter if he gets smashed, every game he plays is development.
I’m don’t have enough understanding or knowledge of the lower leagues to know if this person exists; But, a kid, 24 or under, that can compete at ball ups, boundary throw ins and around the ground is what we need. Goldy got destroyed by Xerri at throw ins and English ran him off his legs. Both of these guys were critical in starting the ball moving for Norf & the Strays.
We have 4 MSD picks, why wouldn’t you just pick a ruck just in case.
Pick 1: West Coast - Brandon Parfitt / Michael Sellwood - Assume Eagles go youth over experience ties to both.
Pick 2: North Melbourne - Archer May (need a tall)
Pick 3: Carlton - Massimo Raso (Rich VFL) (need a small forward) (Tigers might retire Prestia to grab Raso here)
Pick 4: Essendon - Liam McMahon- Probably dissapointed miss out on Archer may
Pick 5: Western Bulldogs - Floyd Burmeister - dogs take an eye to the future (needs development).
Pick 6: Gold Coast - Tom McCarthy
Pick 7: Collingwood - Riley Mason (Collingwood VFL)
Pick 8: Essendon - Brayden Crossley
Pick 9: Essendon - Michael Sellwood medium defender who continues to go strength to strength. Think its time he gets his shot after yet another stellar season. If gone - Matt Foley
Pick 10: Essendon - Ayden McCarroll (209cm forward/ruck)
Expect Port to move someone to inactive list to get a pick as well ahead of us.
If they do maybe they get Alex Van Wyk - SA Ruck or key defender.
Do Dees have a spot, surely they could free one up? Early pick might be handy.
Think this is as much a reflection of our system rather than personnel. We already have one of the tallest sides named each week even without Bryan, Draper, Jones and Ridley.
Other more successful teams embrace chaotic small ball yet Scott is wedded to this fascination of playing 2 rucks, 3 tall defenders and 3 marking target forwards.
If we rate him that’s fine, but tbh I can’t see us drafting a long term development R/F at this point. Even beyond Draper and Bryan, we are still invested in Vigo and Gerreyn. I can’t see it being a priority. Unlike elite speed/endurance and quality ball use.