Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board

Feel the same way about his game today as I did about his last game. Which is to say he wasn't bad, but gave Darren Jolly nothing to worry about either.

Very pleased with his game, horrible conditions for a ruckman and he handled the ball relatively well

I thought he did ok around the ground but the hitout statistic is rather damning.

For me Woods No.1 priority when Jolly is absent is to provide a strong contest in a ruck and win his fair share of hitouts.

Minson who's no world beater had nearly double the amount.

That's a fail IMO and something he must improve on in a hurry.

^ I agree. We must get first use in the guts, and Wood just doesn't give us that. I worry that Jolly wont be ready for the Cats and Ottens will kill him.

I liked Wood's game, he positioned himself well, did some nice work with the taps and was good around the ground.

It's a big step up from the VFL and he did a god job.

Wood did ok in my thoughts

Stood up, considering it was wet and greasy. Pass

I thought it was Woody's best game yet. That said, the Dogs were missing their main ruckman in Hudson, so we must consider the quality of his opponent. The main thing was that he remained involved in the game for four quarters. Well done Woody.

I actually thought Wood did a pretty reasonable job tonight. Jolly's obviously still our number 1 choice, but Woody seems to be improving. Will be interesting to see how he goes against the Cats, assuming he plays.

swoop42 wrote:I thought he did ok around the ground but the hitout statistic is rather damning.

For me Woods No.1 priority when Jolly is absent is to provide a strong contest in a ruck and win his fair share of hitouts.

Minson who's no world beater had nearly double the amount.

That's a fail IMO and something he must improve on in a hurry.

A bit surprised really. I see Wood as a better centre square tap ruckman than Jolly, who often gets beaten in the hit outs himself.

Still, hit outs aren't overly important, as long as your not allowing easy takeaways for the opposition. I thought Wood was pretty good today, and would not be concerned at all if he had to take on Ottens (similar quality to Mincen these days) in two weeks time.

AN_Inkling wrote:

swoop42 wrote:I thought he did ok around the ground but the hitout statistic is rather damning.

For me Woods No.1 priority when Jolly is absent is to provide a strong contest in a ruck and win his fair share of hitouts.

Minson who's no world beater had nearly double the amount.

That's a fail IMO and something he must improve on in a hurry.

A bit surprised really. I see Wood as a better centre square tap ruckman than Jolly, who often gets beaten in the hit outs himself.

Still, hit outs aren't overly important, as long as your not allowing easy takeaways for the opposition. I thought Wood was pretty good today, and would not be concerned at all if he had to take on Ottens (similar quality to Mincen these days) in two weeks time.

After tonight, i reckon play him for the next month. Give Jolly a good spell and have him cherry ripe heading in to finals time when we really need him. the games will only help Wood get his game together in case Jolly goes down in September.

AN_Inkling wrote:

swoop42 wrote:I thought he did ok around the ground but the hitout statistic is rather damning.

For me Woods No.1 priority when Jolly is absent is to provide a strong contest in a ruck and win his fair share of hitouts.

Minson who's no world beater had nearly double the amount.

That's a fail IMO and something he must improve on in a hurry.

A bit surprised really. I see Wood as a better centre square tap ruckman than Jolly, who often gets beaten in the hit outs himself.

Still, hit outs aren't overly important, as long as your not allowing easy takeaways for the opposition. I thought Wood was pretty good today, and would not be concerned at all if he had to take on Ottens (similar quality to Mincen these days) in two weeks time.

After tonight, i reckon play him for the next month. Give Jolly a good spell and have him cherry ripe heading in to finals time when we really need him. the games will only help Wood get his game together in case Jolly goes down in September.

Was OK.

At least he got involved around the ground where typically he spectates.

I can't believe you lot. First you say "who cares about the damn hitouts, Wood is useless around the ground, and that's what matters". Then, when Woody duly puts together a couple of solid games where he competes around the ground, lays some tackles, takes some marks, even chips in for the odd running handball receive, you turn around and say "oh, a ruckman has to win the hitouts". Make up your damn minds!

(Yeah, yeah, both is nice. But you can't have both, not unless you have a genuine champion ruckman, and even the champions struggle to do both all of the time.)

^^This. Was kind of an opposite day for him. Usually better with his hit outs than around the ground. At least the endeavour was there, and he gets a big tick from me for that, as it's not always been the case.

Yes he did get beaten but you can't expect him to win every hit out. he was very competitive and serviceable around the ground. they were awful conditions tonight to be playing in and i thought he did reasonably well. he took a few marks, defended well, laid some tackles and did his best to try and win the ball from a contest. i believe he will improve with time. no need to rush jolly back in just yet. i would like to see wood assert himself more in a contest. by that i mean either crunch a pack and take a strong mark or defend. he needs more game time. as other posters have mentioned. jamar took time and so did jolly when he started out.