Rucks is the biggest uncertainty and worry for Collingwood

[yin-YANG]

This year has highlighted that the Pies have about 14 players at their peak. Around 6 in their twilight years, around 6 young guns and around 10 newbies who show some good signs but are still very green.

The worry is that two of those players in their twilight years are our ruck duo Jolly and Lynch. You can throw in the back-up ruck Hudson as well.

Witts and Grundy are not yet in the 'young guns' group as per Sidey or Beams or even Elliot and Seedsman, this is a concern. For this reason I think we need to give Keefe some time in the ruck in the ressies and possibly even later this year at senior level at some stage.

Given how inexperienced Witts and Grundy are and how slow big guys develop it is a serious worry for next year and why I think we need to fast-track a proven young KPP such as Keefe as the back-up ruckman. who is IMO a crucial component to our chances in the near future.

[Frohickey]

We'll have to spend on a Bellchambers or a Currie

[yin-YANG]

Even if we do get another ruck from outside the current list and Grundy is a gun I still think we need another KPP who can ruck now and then.
I just wonder if Keefe is the man? He is very tall and agile and picked up the game very quickly...

[neil]

The plan was simple
One 30 yo ruckman Jolly
One 25 yo ruckman Wood
One 20 yo ruckman Witts

Wood was not up to it and was dumped

Plan two
One 30 yo ruckman Jolly
Recruit a 34 yo ruckman Hudson as a stopgap/insurance
One 20 yo ruckman Witts
Recruit one 19 yo ruckman Grundy

Works for 2013

Plan for 2014 and on
Hope Jolly can go another year
Employ Hudson as ruckcoach

One 31 yo ruckman Jolly
One 21 yo ruckman Witts
One 20 yo ruckman Grundy

Maybe recruit one stopgap/insurance ruckman or not

Basically what happens next depends on the medical advice on Jolly and how well Witts/Grundy perform between now and trade time

Will another stopgap help or hinder the ruck development of Witts and Grundy

[Harrysz]

I'm a big fan of Keeffe and Yin-YANG'S suggestion may have merit except
Keeffe is returning from a serious knee injury. Throwing him into the ruck might be too big a risk.

[Culprit]

As Ruckman take many years to develop I see the plan as two fold. One developing a ruckman or two. Two, recruiting players that are available in the free agent list wether the be a restricted or unresricted player.

Dean Cox, unrestricted free agent who can ruck.

[yin-YANG]

I don't know if rucks are any more prone to injuries compared to other positions on the ground... I would think not given the softer ruck contests these days.

The 'ruck' is more than just ruckman. Lynch is our secondary game day ruck and I think even if Jolly goes one more year - can we really afford to have Lynch go again?

Keefe would not be the main ruck but more a utility type who can also go into the ruck, replacing Lynch, possibly similar to Leigh Brown because I think he (Keefe) may be able to go fwd or back.

Even if we get another yonger/older ruckman who is ready to go next year - while we wait for Grundy and Witts to develop, that would just replace Jolly and not provide a back-up when the ruckman is rested or injured - a major risk.

We need a KPP or utility type who can ruck a little...

[jackcass]

[jackcass]

Something to ponder in October when as you say we know how Witts and Grundy have progressed, we know the condition of Jolly and can assess his capacity to go around again in 2014.

As at June 2013, I'm certainly loathe to have the club invest in yet another ruck option when we do have 2 genuine prospects developing, on top of that have a couple of project players in Richmond & Gault who may also progress, and Moore as a prospective ruckman/forward available in the 2014 draft.

[3rd degree]

Gault will take over as Ruck from next year's NAB cup!

[Stupied]

Sign on Jolly for another year, play him in 50% of games and Witts in the other 50%.
Use Grundy and Lynch in the same way (unless Grundy's form keeps Lynch out). Hopefully by 2015 they should be able to play their respective roles full time.

Just an idea.

[HAL]

[MAGPIEAVENGER]

worrying about nothing.

[3rd degree]

[Frohickey]