2008 Ruck Combinations
There is no more important position than the ruck, and following are some of the options that clubs have to fill that position in 2008.
Adelaide - Rhett Biglands and Ivan Maric
Hudson had a successful year after returning from a severe injury and the Crows will need Biglands to do the same in 2008. They could combine him with Maric, the athletic Moran who was brought over from the Kangaroos or Griffin who will also give them some goal-scoring ability. There might even be games when the Crows have all four tall players in the lineup, as the Crows have mentioned that Moran might be a tall defender for them and Griffin can play at full forward.
Brisbane - Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger
They lost Wood, but that doesn't matter as they have Leuenberger. The Big L-Berger and Charman should dominate the competition in 2008. Old McDonald, who isn't as old as people think, is in reserve for the Lions. Clark and the new Henderson Kid also have some ruck ability, but are more suited to a key position.
Carlton - Matthew Kreuzer and Cain Ackland
The ruck spot at Carlton was a mess last year, but things are looking up now. They need to throw Kreuzer right into the game, but it might also make sense to pair him with an older, stronger player. So Ackland and Cloke will be competing there. Hampson will also get a run in the ruck and also up forward. Setanta's little brother is a big guy, so Aisake O'hAilpin might also play a few games.
Collingwood - Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood
Collingwood could have a ruck combination that is similar to the Port Adelaide pairing of Lade and Brogan. Fraser can start in the ruck, and when Wood comes onto the ground it would allow Fraser to move to the forward line. Chris Bryan is there in reserve.
Essendon - David Hille and Jason Laycock
The Bombers probably continue with Hille and Laycock combining in the ruck, and also occasionally moving Ryder from the back line into the ruck for more of an athletic ruck option.
Fremantle - Aaron Sandilands and Robert Warnock
Warnock could be called their "shorter ruckman", as he is around 6cm less in height than Sandilands is. Gilmore provides little in height but a lot in mobility as a backup ruckman.
Geelong - Brad Ottens and Mark Blake
King is gone and now the Cats will have a more settled ruck duo, Trent West looks ready to play if there is an injury to one of the starters and giant Dawson Simpson is also there now too.
Hawthorn - Robert Campbell and Simon Taylor
It was supposed to be Max Bailey in the ruck at Hawthorn, but he missed the entire season due to injury and will have to work hard to replace Taylor in the Hawks side. Brent Renouf also gives them ruck depth, and he can play in a key position too.
Kangaroos - Hamish McIntosh and David Hale
The Kangaroos get Thompson back, and drafted Robbie Tarrant and Josh Smith in the national draft and James Wilsen in the rookie one, so Hale's time at centre half forward might be over. Hale might be McIntosh's backup in the ruck, and while Petrie can play in several spots he might go to the back line again in 2008. The Kangaroos also have giant Goldstein too.
Melbourne - Jeff White and John Meesen
As always, it is Jeff White in the ruck for Melbourne. As always, he doesn't have a solid backup. Meesen who was acquired from the Crows, Paul Johnson and Mark Jamar will compete for the number two ruck spot.
Port Adelaide - Brendan Lade and Dean Brogan
At their best, there is no better ruck combination than Lade and Brogan. There isn't anyone ready to step in if the Power have an injury, Fabian Deluca seems to be the next ruckman on their depth chart.
Richmond - Troy Simmonds and Adam Pattison
Their ruck spot was a hospital ward last season, but everyone is ready to go this year. Simmonds and Pattison probably share the ruck duties, they also have the big body of Graham and recent draftee Putt who can play as a forward as well as in the ruck.
St Kilda - Justin Koschitzke and Steven King
Koschitzke might have been destined for the full forward spot but Gehrig has returned to reclaim his position close to goals. Koschitzke could still see some time up forward but he might also be their starting ruckman. King would seem to be suited to being his backup. Rix is still around, M Gardiner is also on their list while Ben McEvoy joins the team via the draft and he can also play in the ruck.
Sydney - Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt
They needed to make sure they kept Jolly and he agreed to a long-term deal, he will combine with Everitt again in 2008. Daniel Currie is a young ruckman who might play if the Swans have an injury.
West Coast - Dean Cox and Mark Seaby
They have the league's best ruckman, and his backup is a good player too, but right now they don't have anyone else on their list who is a real ruckman. The Eagles do have a preseason choice and rookie picks to address that minor need.
Western Bulldogs - Ben Hudson and Peter Street
Hudson didn't join the Bulldogs to sit on the bench so it is likely that he gets most of the ruck minutes. Tall Street, solid Minson or versatile Skipper will be Hudson's backup. Skipper or Minson might also play as a key forward in 2008.
Adelaide - Rhett Biglands and Ivan Maric
Hudson had a successful year after returning from a severe injury and the Crows will need Biglands to do the same in 2008. They could combine him with Maric, the athletic Moran who was brought over from the Kangaroos or Griffin who will also give them some goal-scoring ability. There might even be games when the Crows have all four tall players in the lineup, as the Crows have mentioned that Moran might be a tall defender for them and Griffin can play at full forward.
Brisbane - Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger
They lost Wood, but that doesn't matter as they have Leuenberger. The Big L-Berger and Charman should dominate the competition in 2008. Old McDonald, who isn't as old as people think, is in reserve for the Lions. Clark and the new Henderson Kid also have some ruck ability, but are more suited to a key position.
Carlton - Matthew Kreuzer and Cain Ackland
The ruck spot at Carlton was a mess last year, but things are looking up now. They need to throw Kreuzer right into the game, but it might also make sense to pair him with an older, stronger player. So Ackland and Cloke will be competing there. Hampson will also get a run in the ruck and also up forward. Setanta's little brother is a big guy, so Aisake O'hAilpin might also play a few games.
Collingwood - Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood
Collingwood could have a ruck combination that is similar to the Port Adelaide pairing of Lade and Brogan. Fraser can start in the ruck, and when Wood comes onto the ground it would allow Fraser to move to the forward line. Chris Bryan is there in reserve.
Essendon - David Hille and Jason Laycock
The Bombers probably continue with Hille and Laycock combining in the ruck, and also occasionally moving Ryder from the back line into the ruck for more of an athletic ruck option.
Fremantle - Aaron Sandilands and Robert Warnock
Warnock could be called their "shorter ruckman", as he is around 6cm less in height than Sandilands is. Gilmore provides little in height but a lot in mobility as a backup ruckman.
Geelong - Brad Ottens and Mark Blake
King is gone and now the Cats will have a more settled ruck duo, Trent West looks ready to play if there is an injury to one of the starters and giant Dawson Simpson is also there now too.
Hawthorn - Robert Campbell and Simon Taylor
It was supposed to be Max Bailey in the ruck at Hawthorn, but he missed the entire season due to injury and will have to work hard to replace Taylor in the Hawks side. Brent Renouf also gives them ruck depth, and he can play in a key position too.
Kangaroos - Hamish McIntosh and David Hale
The Kangaroos get Thompson back, and drafted Robbie Tarrant and Josh Smith in the national draft and James Wilsen in the rookie one, so Hale's time at centre half forward might be over. Hale might be McIntosh's backup in the ruck, and while Petrie can play in several spots he might go to the back line again in 2008. The Kangaroos also have giant Goldstein too.
Melbourne - Jeff White and John Meesen
As always, it is Jeff White in the ruck for Melbourne. As always, he doesn't have a solid backup. Meesen who was acquired from the Crows, Paul Johnson and Mark Jamar will compete for the number two ruck spot.
Port Adelaide - Brendan Lade and Dean Brogan
At their best, there is no better ruck combination than Lade and Brogan. There isn't anyone ready to step in if the Power have an injury, Fabian Deluca seems to be the next ruckman on their depth chart.
Richmond - Troy Simmonds and Adam Pattison
Their ruck spot was a hospital ward last season, but everyone is ready to go this year. Simmonds and Pattison probably share the ruck duties, they also have the big body of Graham and recent draftee Putt who can play as a forward as well as in the ruck.
St Kilda - Justin Koschitzke and Steven King
Koschitzke might have been destined for the full forward spot but Gehrig has returned to reclaim his position close to goals. Koschitzke could still see some time up forward but he might also be their starting ruckman. King would seem to be suited to being his backup. Rix is still around, M Gardiner is also on their list while Ben McEvoy joins the team via the draft and he can also play in the ruck.
Sydney - Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt
They needed to make sure they kept Jolly and he agreed to a long-term deal, he will combine with Everitt again in 2008. Daniel Currie is a young ruckman who might play if the Swans have an injury.
West Coast - Dean Cox and Mark Seaby
They have the league's best ruckman, and his backup is a good player too, but right now they don't have anyone else on their list who is a real ruckman. The Eagles do have a preseason choice and rookie picks to address that minor need.
Western Bulldogs - Ben Hudson and Peter Street
Hudson didn't join the Bulldogs to sit on the bench so it is likely that he gets most of the ruck minutes. Tall Street, solid Minson or versatile Skipper will be Hudson's backup. Skipper or Minson might also play as a key forward in 2008.
