Big men, big worries

[LostDoggy]

WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Ben Hudson admits the AFL's decision to cut the number of interchange players down to three is causing concern among AFL ruckmen, who are fearful they will lose their spot in the team.

In 2011, interchange players will be cut from four to three in an attempt to stymie the mass rotations employed by some clubs.

The fourth player on the bench will be a substitute and can only be used if a teammate is taken out of the game. Many experts are predicting the back-up tall man will be expunged from the game as a result.

"Initially all ruckmen become fairly fearful when the rules basically knock one player out of the team because they assume the coaches will get rid of the tallest and slowest bloke," Hudson told afl.com.au

full article
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/106964/default.aspx

No Huddo we won't let them do it, especially the boo-ing bit

[Mantis]

It hasn't been a great game for quite a while now.

[OLD SCRAGGer]

It hasn't been a great game for quite a while now.

It sure beats any other game on the planet :)

[Sockeye Salmon]

[/B]

It sure beats any other game on the planet :)

Perhaps, but it's not as good as it could be.

[Mantis]

It sure beats any other game on the planet :)

When the Bulldogs are playing it comes close.

When other teams are playing it isn't even close and I could think of a number of other sporting events I would rather watch.... and it wasn't always this way.

[Before I Die]

Is this an official meeting of the flat earth society, or do we have the two old blokes from the balcony on the Muppet Show posting? :D

I hate the constant rule changing as much as the next man (or woman), but take a look at the games from the 70s and 60s on late night TV. Today's game as a spectacle is so far ahead of what it was, that there is no real comparison.

[Hotdog60]

Is this an official meeting of the flat earth society, or do we have the two old blokes from the balcony on the Muppet Show posting? :D

I hate the constant rule changing as much as the next man (or woman), but take a look at the games from the 70s and 60s on late night TV. Today's game as a spectacle is so far ahead of what it was, that there is no real comparison.

That's most likely true but the AFL should have stop playing with the rules 5 years ago. They wanted a fast game, now that they have it they now want to slow it back down.

[chef]

When the Bulldogs are playing it comes close.

When other teams are playing it isn't even close and I could think of a number of other sporting events I would rather watch.... and it wasn't always this way.

Each to their own I guess, I still love watching the game as much as ever.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Is this an official meeting of the flat earth society, or do we have the two old blokes from the balcony on the Muppet Show posting? :D

I hate the constant rule changing as much as the next man (or woman), but take a look at the games from the 70s and 60s on late night TV. Today's game as a spectacle is so far ahead of what it was, that there is no real comparison.

The skill and athletism of the players today is simply outstanding, no question about it.

My comment wasn't that it wasn't good - or even better or worse than it was - just that it could be so much better than it is.

[aker39]

Is this an official meeting of the flat earth society, or do we have the two old blokes from the balcony on the Muppet Show posting? :D

I hate the constant rule changing as much as the next man (or woman), but take a look at the games from the 70s and 60s on late night TV. Today's game as a spectacle is so far ahead of what it was, that there is no real comparison.

I used to watch many games of football each weekend. I now watch 1.

[LostDoggy]

I thought for a moment that the article was going to be about Ben Hudson worrying about shaving off The Beard. :D

[LostDoggy]

The skill and athletism of the players today is simply outstanding, no question about it.

My comment wasn't that it wasn't good - or even better or worse than it was - just that it could be so much better than it is.

I think that's the AFL viewpoint too, year after year after year....

[LostDoggy]

The Beards got a good point. Rucks will probably suffer. Personally I like the fast pace and would like to see the interchange remain as it was.

[LostDoggy]

I thought for a moment that the article was going to be about Ben Hudson worrying about shaving off The Beard. :D

:eek:

[LostDoggy]

The Beards got a good point. Rucks will probably suffer. Personally I like the fast pace and would like to see the interchange remain as it was.


I vote for the Flip-Side ,as I stated in the other thread we use three ruckmen , Hudson starting, Minson bench, Roughhead Sub . By doing this we keep them fresher throughout the season , Roughhead has the ability to cover HF or HB in case of an injury meaning a reshuffle due to injury doesn't change the structure too much , and if Roughhead is on early due to an injury I,m fine with that as the second ruckman on the ground can rest in the goal square . Now this of course means our bench of two players , one back , one forward will have to be well managed , the emphasis will be on skill and flexibility for the bench players . Ward is as must have for the Back , Jones is putting his hand up for the Forward.

Interesting times !!

.

[soupman]

I think 3 ruckmen would make us too inflexible. While Roughead may be able to play multiple positions, he wouldn't offer us a big enough difference IMO to change the game up for our benefit. I think what you need from the sub is someone who can come in when others are tired and just go full pelt for a half. This means i would like an attack minded running player, like a Sherman. Someone you throw in and tell to create. I woud have nominated Veszpremi as a chance for this role as his fitness is limited and he fits the attacking type of player I want but going by recent reports he might not be able to push as high into the midfield as I would prefer.

[Mantis]

I vote for the Flip-Side ,as I stated in the other thread we use three ruckmen , Hudson starting, Minson bench, Roughhead Sub . By doing this we keep them fresher throughout the season , Roughhead has the ability to cover HF or HB in case of an injury meaning a reshuffle due to injury doesn't change the structure too much , and if Roughhead is on early due to an injury I,m fine with that as the second ruckman on the ground can rest in the goal square . Now this of course means our bench of two players , one back , one forward will have to be well managed , the emphasis will be on skill and flexibility for the bench players . Ward is as must have for the Back , Jones is putting his hand up for the Forward.

Interesting times !!

.

I have never seen him play in defence, have you?

[LostDoggy]

I have never seen him play in defence, have you?

The bench player classed as a back is a multi position player back/ midfield , the same as the forward is forward/ midfield , the two player bench I have outlined put a greater pressure on selection because of the flexibility required

.

[Bulldog Joe]

I have never seen him play in defence, have you?

Ward has definitely played in the back half at times. Can't quote exact games but has played half back minding a player on more than one occasion in 2009, but probably only for a quarter or so. He defends well when asked to do that.

[GVGjr]

Ward has definitely played in the back half at times. Can't quote exact games but has played half back minding a player on more than one occasion in 2009, but probably only for a quarter or so. He defends well when asked to do that.

I seem to recall that as well although I don't think it's been for a full game.