Murray MiddletonBig Friendly Giants
August 19th 2008 12:18
Melbourne is reputed to have ambushed Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock at the airport during the week in a bold bid to secure his services for 2009 and beyond. Warnock, who is in his third season at the Dockers, has become a much sought after player in recent weeks. His contract runs out at the end of the season. There is a small chance that the Demons will be able to secure him for free in the pre-season draft if a suitable trade is not arranged. The Demons are reported to be offering close to one million dollars over three years, which is an incredible contract for a player who is yet to prove that he is up to AFL football. It shows how important a quality ruckman is in the modern game.
Former Carlton coach Robert Walls has a well-documented infatuation with ruckmen. Walls believes that ruckmen are the single most important ingredient to a good team's structure. Walls is not necessarily correct, but no side survives without a quality ruckman. During trade week every season a range of ruckman's names are thrown around. Last season the likes of Steven King, Brad Moran, Cameron Wood and Ben Hudson all found new clubs. Matthew Kreuzer, last year's number one draft pick, has enjoyed a promising first season. However he was slaughtered by Steven King when the two players met one month ago. Kreuzer, like all young ruckmen, will take many years to mature.
David Hale, who is in his seventh season at North Melbourne, is only now beginning to stamp his authority on matches. Melbourne's Paul Johnson, in his sixth season, has only recently taken over the number one ruck duties ahead of Jeff White. Adelaide owes part of its late-season resurgence to the form of Ivan Maric and Brad Moran. Neither player is new to the system. They have spent several years playing in the lower grades while their bodies mature. Prior to this season, neither player had the confidence and self belief to dominate at the highest level. It is up to coaches to be patient with ruckman and to gradually instill confidence in them. Considering the recent success of Hamish McIntosh, David Hale and Brad Moran, it is clear that Dean Laidley is one of the best at this.
If Fremantle lose Robert Warnock they will be shattered. Although they have Aaron Sandilands - one of the tallest men in the southern hemisphere - at their disposal, he needs support. If Fremantle keep Warnock they will have the opportunity to dominate the centre clearances for the next decade. The problem is that if Warnock stays he will be forced to play second fiddle to Sandilands. This alone will count against the Dockers. Warnock currently spends more than fifty percent of his time on the bench. At another club, such as Carlton, he could be spending up to eighty percent of his time on the ground.
Collingwood traded their first round draft pick to Brisbane for Cameron Wood last season. Wood has been promising this season, but has been dropped twice. He has to bulk up before Mick Malthouse will hand him the number one rucking duties ahead of Josh Fraser and Chris Bryan. There is little doubt that Wood will someday become one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Brisbane were faced with a similar decision to the Dockers twelve months ago. They had Matthew Leuenberger on their list; the most talented young ruckman in the country (not to mention Jamie Charman). It is almost impossible to satisfy two quality big men in the one team.
Neil Daniher never found the right balance at Melbourne. Throughout his tenure he used Jeff White as the club's number one ruckman. While the ploy allowed White to blossom as a footballer, he never had much support. Both Troy Simmonds and Darren Jolly started their careers on the Demons' list. Neither player was ever given a prolonged stint in the team under Daniher. They both became frustrated and asked to be traded. Now Simmonds and Jolly are two of the better ruckman going around. If Daniher had have stayed in charge at Melbourne there is every chance that Paul Johnson would now be at another club.
There are several Victorian clubs in contention for Robert Warnock should he leave the Dockers. While Melbourne appear to be the most likely destination, Richmond, Carlton and St.Kilda will also be interested. Geelong struggled in the ruck when Brad Ottens was injured at the beginning of this season. Their performances have improved considerably since he returned to the team. Hawthorn has Campbell and Taylor as their ruck combination. Both players are workhorses who are well worth their place in the team. However it is difficult to see the Hawks holding the cup aloft without a big friendly giant.
Former Carlton coach Robert Walls has a well-documented infatuation with ruckmen. Walls believes that ruckmen are the single most important ingredient to a good team's structure. Walls is not necessarily correct, but no side survives without a quality ruckman. During trade week every season a range of ruckman's names are thrown around. Last season the likes of Steven King, Brad Moran, Cameron Wood and Ben Hudson all found new clubs. Matthew Kreuzer, last year's number one draft pick, has enjoyed a promising first season. However he was slaughtered by Steven King when the two players met one month ago. Kreuzer, like all young ruckmen, will take many years to mature.
David Hale, who is in his seventh season at North Melbourne, is only now beginning to stamp his authority on matches. Melbourne's Paul Johnson, in his sixth season, has only recently taken over the number one ruck duties ahead of Jeff White. Adelaide owes part of its late-season resurgence to the form of Ivan Maric and Brad Moran. Neither player is new to the system. They have spent several years playing in the lower grades while their bodies mature. Prior to this season, neither player had the confidence and self belief to dominate at the highest level. It is up to coaches to be patient with ruckman and to gradually instill confidence in them. Considering the recent success of Hamish McIntosh, David Hale and Brad Moran, it is clear that Dean Laidley is one of the best at this.
If Fremantle lose Robert Warnock they will be shattered. Although they have Aaron Sandilands - one of the tallest men in the southern hemisphere - at their disposal, he needs support. If Fremantle keep Warnock they will have the opportunity to dominate the centre clearances for the next decade. The problem is that if Warnock stays he will be forced to play second fiddle to Sandilands. This alone will count against the Dockers. Warnock currently spends more than fifty percent of his time on the bench. At another club, such as Carlton, he could be spending up to eighty percent of his time on the ground.
Collingwood traded their first round draft pick to Brisbane for Cameron Wood last season. Wood has been promising this season, but has been dropped twice. He has to bulk up before Mick Malthouse will hand him the number one rucking duties ahead of Josh Fraser and Chris Bryan. There is little doubt that Wood will someday become one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Brisbane were faced with a similar decision to the Dockers twelve months ago. They had Matthew Leuenberger on their list; the most talented young ruckman in the country (not to mention Jamie Charman). It is almost impossible to satisfy two quality big men in the one team.
Neil Daniher never found the right balance at Melbourne. Throughout his tenure he used Jeff White as the club's number one ruckman. While the ploy allowed White to blossom as a footballer, he never had much support. Both Troy Simmonds and Darren Jolly started their careers on the Demons' list. Neither player was ever given a prolonged stint in the team under Daniher. They both became frustrated and asked to be traded. Now Simmonds and Jolly are two of the better ruckman going around. If Daniher had have stayed in charge at Melbourne there is every chance that Paul Johnson would now be at another club.
There are several Victorian clubs in contention for Robert Warnock should he leave the Dockers. While Melbourne appear to be the most likely destination, Richmond, Carlton and St.Kilda will also be interested. Geelong struggled in the ruck when Brad Ottens was injured at the beginning of this season. Their performances have improved considerably since he returned to the team. Hawthorn has Campbell and Taylor as their ruck combination. Both players are workhorses who are well worth their place in the team. However it is difficult to see the Hawks holding the cup aloft without a big friendly giant.
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