Hawthorn's Ruck Dilemma
During the offseason the Hawthorn Football Club would have been working out which one of Simon Taylor and Max Bailey would be the backup to Robert Campbell in the ruck. When Bailey injured his knee, putting him out for season 2007, it made Taylor the certain number 2 ruckman. But so far this season the Hawks have gone with splitting the ruck minutes, and Taylor has started several games.
In the NAB Cup games it was Taylor who started for the Hawks in the ruck, they continued with this for round 1 as Taylor played more minutes than Campbell. In the last couple of games it is now Campbell who is playing a few more minutes than Taylor. While Hawthorn did lose when Taylor played more, it was against Brisbane in an away game, in the other games the Hawks played against winless teams.
Campbell has played around twice as many AFL games as Taylor. Some parts of the game that Campbell is much better than Taylor are clearances and tackling. Campbell plays a bit like Scott Wynd, he is very adept with the handball and he will also go in to win the contested football. At the moment Campbell is leading all AFL ruckmen in tackles. Taylor is a bit taller than Campbell, but is a bit lighter in weight. He has improved drastically from his earlier games and now does deserve his spot in the team. The potential is there but he isn't a number 1 ruckman at this time.
Hawthorn have a 2 and 1 record so they are going along nicely, but maybe they need to adjust their ruck setup. Going on his performances last season, when Everitt wasn't playing, Campbell has progressed in his development to the point where he is worthy of being considered a number 1 ruckman for his team. A 50-50 split of ruck minutes with Taylor might not be the best option, 70-30 could help the team more.
The Hawks will take on the Cats and there will be plenty of ruckmen in that game, Coach Thompson has said that Blake will play even if King is added to the team. Geelong also have Ottens and Mooney as possible ruck options. Hawthorn follow that game with contests against the Bulldogs, Bombers and Dockers. Campbell and Taylor will be taking on Street, Darcy and Minson then they face Hille, Laycock and Ryder while it gets even bigger for the next round with Sandilands and Longmuir awaiting them.
The tall positions at either end of the ground also need to be sorted out, and Croad's recent injury won't help that, but the ruck spot is something else that Coach Clarkson needs to address. More Robert Campbell, short bursts of Simon Taylor off the bench each quarter, and maybe even an occasional surprise use of Lance Franklin, and Hawthorn might have a more effective output from their ruck spot.
In the NAB Cup games it was Taylor who started for the Hawks in the ruck, they continued with this for round 1 as Taylor played more minutes than Campbell. In the last couple of games it is now Campbell who is playing a few more minutes than Taylor. While Hawthorn did lose when Taylor played more, it was against Brisbane in an away game, in the other games the Hawks played against winless teams.
Campbell has played around twice as many AFL games as Taylor. Some parts of the game that Campbell is much better than Taylor are clearances and tackling. Campbell plays a bit like Scott Wynd, he is very adept with the handball and he will also go in to win the contested football. At the moment Campbell is leading all AFL ruckmen in tackles. Taylor is a bit taller than Campbell, but is a bit lighter in weight. He has improved drastically from his earlier games and now does deserve his spot in the team. The potential is there but he isn't a number 1 ruckman at this time.
Hawthorn have a 2 and 1 record so they are going along nicely, but maybe they need to adjust their ruck setup. Going on his performances last season, when Everitt wasn't playing, Campbell has progressed in his development to the point where he is worthy of being considered a number 1 ruckman for his team. A 50-50 split of ruck minutes with Taylor might not be the best option, 70-30 could help the team more.
The Hawks will take on the Cats and there will be plenty of ruckmen in that game, Coach Thompson has said that Blake will play even if King is added to the team. Geelong also have Ottens and Mooney as possible ruck options. Hawthorn follow that game with contests against the Bulldogs, Bombers and Dockers. Campbell and Taylor will be taking on Street, Darcy and Minson then they face Hille, Laycock and Ryder while it gets even bigger for the next round with Sandilands and Longmuir awaiting them.
The tall positions at either end of the ground also need to be sorted out, and Croad's recent injury won't help that, but the ruck spot is something else that Coach Clarkson needs to address. More Robert Campbell, short bursts of Simon Taylor off the bench each quarter, and maybe even an occasional surprise use of Lance Franklin, and Hawthorn might have a more effective output from their ruck spot.
