Port Adelaide 2022

[Booney]

Geelong haven't had a ruckman since Brad Ottens and Steven King!

To be fair Ottens was a very good forward who played ruck well, King is your last true ruckman.

[David Brent]

No recognised ruckman this week? No one available or strategy?

Strategy, Hayes has been crook and didn't train this week but will play SANFL. Finlayson, Dixon, Marshall and SPP around the ground will all get some time in there. Richmond are a bit smaller up front without Lynch so Aliir may even pop in there for a bit.

Richmond have been playing without a genuine ruckman since 2017. Master stroke by Hardwick in the GF & complete lack of game awareness by the Crows to not counter the move. Carlton have used Silvagni & I saw SPP rucking for Port the other week. I think having a mobile tallish midfielder rather than a genuine ruckman is going to become the norm.

Toby Nankervis
199cm
102kg

Premierships 3 (2017,2019,2020)
Richmond Co-Captain 2022-

109 games (Richmond 97, Sydney 12)

Just for good measure 204cm & 106kg ruckman Ivan Soldo has also played 40 + games including the 2019 Premiership with Nank.

[cracka]

No recognised ruckman this week? No one available or strategy?

Strategy, Hayes has been crook and didn't train this week but will play SANFL. Finlayson, Dixon, Marshall and SPP around the ground will all get some time in there. Richmond are a bit smaller up front without Lynch so Aliir may even pop in there for a bit.

Richmond have been playing without a genuine ruckman since 2017. Master stroke by Hardwick in the GF & complete lack of game awareness by the Crows to not counter the move. Carlton have used Silvagni & I saw SPP rucking for Port the other week. I think having a mobile tallish midfielder rather than a genuine ruckman is going to become the norm.

Toby Nankervis
199cm
102kg

Premierships 3 (2017,2019,2020)
Richmond Co-Captain 2022-

109 games (Richmond 97, Sydney 12)

About 80th tallest player in the AFL this year

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl/players/ ... ll-height/

[Booney]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

[cracka]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

[Booney]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

[Mr Beefy]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

Ivan Soldo says hello

[mots02]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

There's a fair bit of Dutchy in this, if there's a good time of year to double down and refuse to walk back from a statement even when presented with alternate facts, its this time of year

[Booney]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

There's a fair bit of Dutchy in this, if there's a good time of year to double down and refuse to walk back from a statement even when presented with alternate facts, its this time of year

I appreciate cracka's efforts, I'm a pig headed prick so it's that sort of bloody mindedness that ticks boxes for me.

[whufc]

The Richmond ruck story comes from the fact rather than who they did have they were also willing to use blokes such as Pickett and Griggs in the rucks for extended periods.

We are seeing Carlton somewhat copy this with their use of Cripps especially around the ground.

What would be a real interesting stat (for stat geeks like me) would be amount of hit outs versus clearances. Obviously you would think the more hit outs you win the more clearances you win....do the stats in recent years tell that story though.

[whufc]

Small sample size round 12......but geez on most occasions winning more hit outs pretty much meant less clearances. Ruckmen so bloody overrated duck and hide.


Geelong 38 hit outs / 32 clearances
Bulldogs 23 hit outs / 35 clearances

Adelaide 48 hit outs / 37 clearances
West Coast 30 hit outs / 34 clearances

Gold Coast 42 hit outs / 51 clearances
North Melbourne 51 hit outs / 47 clearances

Melbourne 39 hit outs / 33 clearances
Sydney 20 hit outs / 36 clearances

Hawthorn 35 hit outs / 37 clearances
Collingwood 36 hit outs / 34 clearances

Fremantle 38 hit outs / 47 clearances
Brisbane 44 hit outs / 36 clearances

[Lightning McQueen]

Small sample size round 12......but geez on most occasions winning more hit outs pretty much meant less clearances. Ruckmen so bloody overrated duck and hide.


Geelong 38 hit outs / 32 clearances
Bulldogs 23 hit outs / 35 clearances

Adelaide 48 hit outs / 37 clearances
West Coast 30 hit outs / 34 clearances

Gold Coast 42 hit outs / 51 clearances
North Melbourne 51 hit outs / 47 clearances

Melbourne 39 hit outs / 33 clearances
Sydney 20 hit outs / 36 clearances

Hawthorn 35 hit outs / 37 clearances
Collingwood 36 hit outs / 34 clearances

Fremantle 38 hit outs / 47 clearances
Brisbane 44 hit outs / 36 clearances

Who was the genius coach a few years back that realized he was lacking in the ruck so he got the midfield to learn to read off of the opposition ruckmen?

I can't help think that it was Hardwick once again, when he was using Shaun Grigg in the ruck? I reckon there was another instance too.

[Dutchy]

He's a ruckman who has played for Richmond since 2017. Just go "Oops".

He plays in the ruck position, yeah but I wouldn't call him a genuine tap ruckman.

There's a fair bit of Dutchy in this, if there's a good time of year to double down and refuse to walk back from a statement even when presented with alternate facts, its this time of year

What have I done!

[Booney]

Eyebrows were raised when Port Adelaide announced rookie ruckman Sam Hayes had been omitted from the side that faced ruck duo Nankervis and Soldo leaving ruck duties to pinch hitting Finlayson, Dixon, Marshall and Powell-Pepper. As expected the Tigers took advantage and dominated hitouts 41-18 but that aerial advantage broke down at ground level with Port winning clearances 13-9 in the centre square and 26-21 around the ground ( 39-30 over all ) by a midfield that created more than enough opportunities to score, that midfield however failed to use the ball when moving forward of centre as the forward line either lost its shape or was stifled by an experienced Richmond defence as the Tigers applied the type of pressure that won them 3 premierships in 4 years.

Port jumped out of the blocks, not something we’ve been accustomed to in 2022 with the first two majors of the night from two of this years shining lights, Karl Amon and Todd Marshall ( the latter in particular but more on him later ) that lead though was soon eroded as Richmond took over the territory game and kicked the next 6 majors of the night either side of quarter time. From the 10 minute mark of the first term to the 5 minute of the second Richmond completely dominated possession as they returned to some of their best pressure football. When Richmond close in on you the wide expanses of the MCG look narrow and space evaporates in front of you. That pressure brings perceived pressure and Port’s ball use in the first half reflected that, it wasn’t the amount of ball Port had, we had our fair share, it was how we used it and when that movement became more kick-mark than kick-hope the results flowed.
Marshall took a strong contested mark to have his second midway through the second, led at the ball carrier for his third and when silky smooth Ryan Burton hit the ball to Charlie Dixon’s advantage in a one-on-one Port had 3 in quick succession and the half time margin of 8 points was a fair reflection on the game. Richmond deserved to be in front and Port deserved to be in the contest after fighting back in the second term.

The third quarter was a different beast to the first half, Port now had the ascendancy both in terms of possession and territory, we certainly carried the better of the momentum into ¾ time. The contest forward of centre created by Dixon and Marshall resulted in Wines and Finalyson finding themselves front and centre to kick truly and when the most pleasant of players to watch kick a ball, Kane Farrell, was awarded a 50m penalty on the wing he asked the umpire in the running “Where’s the mark?”, when the response was “On the 50” there was only one path Farrell was taking, he attacked the mark hard and lent onto that left boot nailing his shot from the 50m arc to bring Port within 1 point and set the game up for a ripping last 30 minutes.

As is the way when Port have control it’s built across half back, Houston was doing his best intercept work, Burton and Amon were doing their best with ball in hand, Boak with his elite two way running and the under rated Tom Clurey had held Jack Riewoldt out of the contest. Aliir had his moments but it was Ports running across half back and the midfield that brought us back into the game.

When Sam Powell-Pepper put Port in front in the first minute of the last term I reckon most lounge rooms of the Alberton Crowd were like mine, it was getting rowdy, the cat and dog rescinded the use of the fire in search of peace and quiet and the edge of the seat was getting used. Richmond though brought the heat again, Port’s ball use at one point of the last term was going at 22% and Richmond had got on the fly again around the ground. Gibcus was awarded a free on the goal line after some contact from Burton and in the subsequent passage of play two of Ports most courageous found out just how hard the other goes in. In a sickening clash captain Tom Jonas and the effervescent Butters both closed in on a ground ball and collided, both were left nursing wounds to the face and with two Port players out of play the Tigers swept the ball forward to that man, Dustin Martin, to effectively put the game to bed. It wasn’t all over but the 10 point lead looked to be too much for Port to peg back. When Powell-Pepper kicked his second and Rozee danced around some traffic to kick truly from 50m out the game was back under a kick with 5 minutes to play but it was Richmond who had control, Baker finished the game off as Bolton wasted several opportunities in front of goal, the final margin a fair reflection of how the game was played.

With Sydney, Gold Coast and Fremantle in Perth to come and games against Melbourne, Geelong and another clash with Richmond before the end of the year it’s hard to see Port Adelaide making the 8. There’s one highlight though for the year already and that’s the emergence of Todd Marshall, he’s gone from a promising yet under delivering key forward to Port’s most damaging mark / goal player forward of centre. He’s developed his craft immensely this year, his use of the body early, his contested marking and quality kicking has him firmly cemented in Ports side when once he was seen, by some fans, as a week by week proposition. The patience the coaching staff afforded him is paying off.

Boon’s best – Boak, Marshall, Burton, Houston, Wines, Amon with an honourable mention to Jones who in the second term showed some spirit to help bring Port back into the match.

[stan]

Eyebrows were raised when Port Adelaide announced rookie ruckman Sam Hayes had been omitted from the side that faced ruck duo Nankervis and Soldo leaving ruck duties to pinch hitting Finlayson, Dixon, Marshall and Powell-Pepper. As expected the Tigers took advantage and dominated hitouts 41-18 but that aerial advantage broke down at ground level with Port winning clearances 13-9 in the centre square and 26-21 around the ground ( 39-30 over all ) by a midfield that created more than enough opportunities to score, that midfield however failed to use the ball when moving forward of centre as the forward line either lost its shape or was stifled by an experienced Richmond defence as the Tigers applied the type of pressure that won them 3 premierships in 4 years.

Port jumped out of the blocks, not something we’ve been accustomed to in 2022 with the first two majors of the night from two of this years shining lights, Karl Amon and Todd Marshall ( the latter in particular but more on him later ) that lead though was soon eroded as Richmond took over the territory game and kicked the next 6 majors of the night either side of quarter time. From the 10 minute mark of the first term to the 5 minute of the second Richmond completely dominated possession as they returned to some of their best pressure football. When Richmond close in on you the wide expanses of the MCG look narrow and space evaporates in front of you. That pressure brings perceived pressure and Port’s ball use in the first half reflected that, it wasn’t the amount of ball Port had, we had our fair share, it was how we used it and when that movement became more kick-mark than kick-hope the results flowed.
Marshall took a strong contested mark to have his second midway through the second, led at the ball carrier for his third and when silky smooth Ryan Burton hit the ball to Charlie Dixon’s advantage in a one-on-one Port had 3 in quick succession and the half time margin of 8 points was a fair reflection on the game. Richmond deserved to be in front and Port deserved to be in the contest after fighting back in the second term.

The third quarter was a different beast to the first half, Port now had the ascendancy both in terms of possession and territory, we certainly carried the better of the momentum into ¾ time. The contest forward of centre created by Dixon and Marshall resulted in Wines and Finalyson finding themselves front and centre to kick truly and when the most pleasant of players to watch kick a ball, Kane Farrell, was awarded a 50m penalty on the wing he asked the umpire in the running “Where’s the mark?”, when the response was “On the 50” there was only one path Farrell was taking, he attacked the mark hard and lent onto that left boot nailing his shot from the 50m arc to bring Port within 1 point and set the game up for a ripping last 30 minutes.

As is the way when Port have control it’s built across half back, Houston was doing his best intercept work, Burton and Amon were doing their best with ball in hand, Boak with his elite two way running and the under rated Tom Clurey had held Jack Riewoldt out of the contest. Aliir had his moments but it was Ports running across half back and the midfield that brought us back into the game.

When Sam Powell-Pepper put Port in front in the first minute of the last term I reckon most lounge rooms of the Alberton Crowd were like mine, it was getting rowdy, the cat and dog rescinded the use of the fire in search of peace and quiet and the edge of the seat was getting used. Richmond though brought the heat again, Port’s ball use at one point of the last term was going at 22% and Richmond had got on the fly again around the ground. Gibcus was awarded a free on the goal line after some contact from Burton and in the subsequent passage of play two of Ports most courageous found out just how hard the other goes in. In a sickening clash captain Tom Jonas and the effervescent Butters both closed in on a ground ball and collided, both were left nursing wounds to the face and with two Port players out of play the Tigers swept the ball forward to that man, Dustin Martin, to effectively put the game to bed. It wasn’t all over but the 10 point lead looked to be too much for Port to peg back. When Powell-Pepper kicked his second and Rozee danced around some traffic to kick truly from 50m out the game was back under a kick with 5 minutes to play but it was Richmond who had control, Baker finished the game off as Bolton wasted several opportunities in front of goal, the final margin a fair reflection of how the game was played.

With Sydney, Gold Coast and Fremantle in Perth to come and games against Melbourne, Geelong and another clash with Richmond before the end of the year it’s hard to see Port Adelaide making the 8. There’s one highlight though for the year already and that’s the emergence of Todd Marshall, he’s gone from a promising yet under delivering key forward to Port’s most damaging mark / goal player forward of centre. He’s developed his craft immensely this year, his use of the body early, his contested marking and quality kicking has him firmly cemented in Ports side when once he was seen, by some fans, as a week by week proposition. The patience the coaching staff afforded him is paying off.

Boon’s best – Boak, Marshall, Burton, Houston, Wines, Amon with an honourable mention to Jones who in the second term showed some spirit to help bring Port back into the match.

Good review and reckon the comment about ball use at 22% sums up how you lost that considering how good Port were around clearances and how well they work there spread.

[Dutchy]

Interesting that Bassett said before the game last night that they would play a genuine ruck next round, must have been a specific tactic against RIchmond

[Bum Crack]

Do Port concentrate on playing their youth for the rest of the year now they're not going to play finals? Give Motlop, Gray, Dixon etc a rest and get these young kids in and get them used to next year without abovementioned players?

[David Brent]

Interesting that Bassett said before the game last night that they would play a genuine ruck next round, must have been a specific tactic against RIchmond

Tigers sit 16th in the comp for clearances, so perhaps they thought with them being so bad at clearances they could not play their weakest link in Hayes & breakeven and obtain an advantage somewhere else on the ground by being smaller.

IMO both coaches got it wrong, and 1 ruck each would have been the best option. I thought that Richmond looked top heavy with Soldo/Balta not doing heaps throughout the match. *Balta was much better when he went down back in the last.

Good review Boon, horrible game to watch I thought. Really like what Houston is doing this year, really great contributor.

[Booney]

Do Port concentrate on playing their youth for the rest of the year now they're not going to play finals? Give Motlop, Gray, Dixon etc a rest and get these young kids in and get them used to next year without abovementioned players?

Gray's last year, we'll let him see out the season as he wishes, he deserves that and, to be fair, his next in line Dylan Williams isn't proving himself to be worthy of the spot. Bergman who could move to the wing to push Farrell forward and Motlop out is just getting back up after a bad bout of the flu, Duurmsa isn't lighting the SANFL up so there's no point rewarding poor form. Georgiades would be the Dixon replacement, again he needs to get some form under his belt to be worthy. No point gifting them games.

[Booney]

Interesting that Bassett said before the game last night that they would play a genuine ruck next round, must have been a specific tactic against RIchmond

Tigers sit 16th in the comp for clearances, so perhaps they thought with them being so bad at clearances they could not play their weakest link in Hayes & breakeven and obtain an advantage somewhere else on the ground by being smaller.

IMO both coaches got it wrong, and 1 ruck each would have been the best option. I thought that Richmond looked top heavy with Soldo/Balta not doing heaps throughout the match. *Balta was much better when he went down back in the last.

Good review Boon, horrible game to watch I thought. Really like what Houston is doing this year, really great contributor.

Balta stopped Marshall after half time, he looked like the one capable of making the game swing our way.