One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on April 19, 2014, 03:56:33 AM
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Shaun Hampson’s great form as a tap ruckman creates a dilemma for Richmond
Herald-Sun
April 19, 2014
SHAUN Hampson the tap ruckman is a far better player than Shaun Hampson the forward.
Which is a slight problem for Richmond.
Ivan Maric is expected to return from injury in 2-3 weeks and, barring long-term effects from an ankle injury (ie, he struggles to jump) Maric will return as the club’s main ruckman.
It means Hampson will be seconded to the forward line, where his obvious ruck skills will be parked and the much more difficult aspects of football, such as taking marks against a defender and kicking goals, will be required.
Not for the first time, around peg will be wedged into a square hole.
Hampson is a ruckman and an average tall forward.
And, like all tap ruckman, he relishes long spells in the ruck.
Time allows ruckmen to assess the opposition — work out how they’re jumping, how they use their body, where their hitting zones are — and make adjustments.
Five or eight minutes in the middle at a time means it can be a hit and hope mission.
A bit here and there behind Matthew Kreuzer at Carlton made Hampson look a spasmodic footballer and when Maric returns, it would appear he once again will become the relief big man in the middle.
The Tigers might argue that with Maric and Hampson they will have a more than competent one-two ruck set-up, but rarely do two ruckmen thrive in the same team on the same ground.
When they do, it can be devastating, especially when either of them can kick goals when resting.
Over seven injury-riddled seasons at Carlton, and with Kreuzer and Warnock to contend with, Hampson averaged eight touches and 15 hitouts across 63 games.
At Richmond, Hampson has thrived in Maric’s absence.
In Round 1, he had 13 disposals and 37 hitouts. In Round 2 against the Blues it was 13 and 26.
He was resolute against Collingwood in Round 3 with just four possessions and 31 hit outs.
On Thursday night against Brisbane, it was just four possessions but a career-high 52 hitouts against Trent West for 127 Champion Data (SuperCoach) ranking points.
This year, he wins a hitout-to-advantage at 20.7 per cent of ruck contests he attends, which is ranked second only to Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands, who achieves that feat at 21.4 per cent.
Leigh Matthews argued Sandilands was overrated because Fremantle did not win enough clearance battles.
On experience and money earned — Sandilands is on about $800,000 to $900,000 a season and Hampson an estimated $300,000 a season — Hampson could well be the most underrated ruckman in the competition.
The Tigers are 2-3 after five rounds, but would argue that “Hammer” has earned his money.
I was dubious about Richmond giving up pick No. 28 for him last year, and with hindsight that was a wrong assessment, for the belief then was he would largely be played as a forward.
As a ruckman, No. 28 seems about right.
We’ll find out soon enough if Hampson can develop as a forward.
When Maric returns, Hampson could be used across half-forward — could, because agility might be an issue — or he could be played deeper beside Jack Riewoldt.
With Tyrone Vickery on the outer because coach Damien Hardwick said his forward line was too tall, combined with the improvement in 200cm Ben Griffiths and the emergence of Nathan Gordon and Sam Lloyd as mid-sized forwards, it will be interesting to see how Hardwick uses Hampson.
He will play forward and ruck, but the danger because of limited time in the middle, Hampson might return to being the spasmodic forward/ruckman.
That might help with structures, but it certainly doesn’t help Hampson.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shaun-hampsons-great-form-as-a-tap-ruckman-creates-a-dilemma-for-richmond/story-fndv8t7m-1226889311360
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Certainly beats having Gus, Andrew Browne and co a few years ago. He needs to mark it a bit more but that might come when ivy returns.
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As far as marking the ball he has hands like wet fish, if he does go forward then maybe the tactic would be rather than mark the ball he simply ensures he taps the ball to ground to the advantage of our small forwards. Slightly different method but working to his strength rather than weakness.
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As far as marking the ball he has hands like wet fish, if he does go forward then maybe the tactic would be rather than mark the ball he simply ensures he taps the ball to ground to the advantage of our small forwards. Slightly different method but working to his strength rather than weakness.
Great idea. Have him tap the ball back toward the centre corridor. Most defenders punch towards the boundary. Then have our guys run through the centre corridor in groups. One would certainly pick the pill up, and he could have a ping at goal.
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As far as marking the ball he has hands like wet fish, if he does go forward then maybe the tactic would be rather than mark the ball he simply ensures he taps the ball to ground to the advantage of our small forwards. Slightly different method but working to his strength rather than weakness.
Great idea. Have him tap the ball back toward the centre corridor. Most defenders punch towards the boundary. Then have our guys run through the centre corridor in groups. One would certainly pick the pill up, and he could have a ping at goal.
I knew there was a method to the madness of kicking it to the pockets religiously, all part of the masterplan yessssssss :clapping
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It's Hampson's spot to lose until Maric regains match fitness and proves he is past his injuries.
Griffiths work in the ruck has made it unlikely we'll play both.
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Send Maric to Full Forward if he cant Ruck properly due to injury with short spells rucking, Play Griffiths at Centre Half Forward and Jack Riewoldt can have a play anywhere role in the Forward line causing Havoc. Hampson can then play in the Ruck.
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Weren't we already too slow in the forward line hence Tyrone the Statue has been relegated?
I don't really see the dilemma. Once Maric is fit, Hampson goes and gives our ressies mids first use. Problem solved.
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pee him off. Leigh Matthews was right, winning hit outs is the most overrated thing in footy.
If you can't mark it or get it around the ground then you're a passenger.
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I know that I was scarred watching spud Warnock gifting Judd, Murphy and Gibbs hit outs in the elimination final last year. For all those who think ruck work is overrated, go and watch the last half centre clearances when Maric was destroyed. Maric can't jump anymore so he is good in general play but a liability in the centre square.
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Maric would make a good bullocking forward.
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I know that I was scarred watching spud Warnock gifting Judd, Murphy and Gibbs hit outs in the elimination final last year. For all those who think ruck work is overrated, go and watch the last half centre clearances when Maric was destroyed. Maric can't jump anymore so he is good in general play but a liability in the centre square.
Surely that has more to do with the respective midfields though, otherwise why don't Fremantle win 80% of clearances when Sandilands plays?
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I know that I was scarred watching spud Warnock gifting Judd, Murphy and Gibbs hit outs in the elimination final last year. For all those who think ruck work is overrated, go and watch the last half centre clearances when Maric was destroyed. Maric can't jump anymore so he is good in general play but a liability in the centre square.
Surely that has more to do with the respective midfields though, otherwise why don't Fremantle win 80% of clearances when Sandilands plays?
It's so much easier to rove your own ruckman. Against Sandilands opposition players just try to rove to him. The opposition ruckman just tries to stop him putting it down the throats of their opponents.
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“I’ve really enjoyed going back into the midfield, to come back in and play alongside ‘Cotch’, who has just had an outstanding season, and big’ Ivvy’ (Ivan Maric), who provides silver service,” ~ Brett Deledio
Are hit-outs to advantage everything? Of course not. But getting first use of the ball consistently makes a massive difference. I don't think it's a coincidence that our average was 86% pre-Maric and 111% post-Maric. It's going to be interesting to see how we can utilise Hampson's tap work but really sloppy marking abilities when Maric returns. I do like that Maric is dangerous when forward (cue 2013 elimination final where he almost resurrected the team). The team does play better with Ivan on the field. Ideally you would hope Hampson could learn how to pluck a few in the air but I might be easier to follow Rampster's idea of having him tap it into the corridor
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He certainly won't be parked as a forward, my mail is they'll change off the bench , possibly Maric spending periods parked deep, for 6-8 min bursts ....been a pretty shrewd selection by the tigers :shh
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Troubling times for McBean Elton Vickery a Edwards
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id take ivans all round game over hampsons one dimensional game anyday.
even when ivan isnt getting the ball hes crating for his teammates. hes the best blocking mid we have, when he plays the likes of cotchin and deledio love it.
he may not win as many h/o but he sure as hell wins his fair share and more often than not creaqtes a contest at ground level by neutralising his opponents h/o. its the marks the 1% the c/p along with winning his fair share of h/o that makes him such a valuable player. the way he uses his body to create space for our mids cant be over estimated.
hampson is a better option against certain types especially at centre bounces but ivan is a better option everywhere else.
the way i see it i reckon griffiths and jack will get the two kpf roles and both ivan and hampson will share ruck duties from the bench occasionally changing it up by going forwrd. most likely late in the game one of them will get subbed out and griffiths will then take over from whoever gets subbed.
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griff might end up securing one of the key position roles,but at this stage he is a long way off.All he has shown is that he does belong at this level,but he still hasn't arrived yet as a key position player
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griff might end up securing one of the key position roles,but at this stage he is a long way off.All he has shown is that he does belong at this level,but he still hasn't arrived yet as a key position player
agree with that. we need two kpfs though and he sure as hell is a better development prospect as a kpf than vickery atm.
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id take ivans all round game over hampsons one dimensional game anyday.
even when ivan isnt getting the ball hes crating for his teammates. hes the best blocking mid we have, when he plays the likes of cotchin and deledio love it.
he may not win as many h/o but he sure as hell wins his fair share and more often than not creaqtes a contest at ground level by neutralising his opponents h/o. its the marks the 1% the c/p along with winning his fair share of h/o that makes him such a valuable player. the way he uses his body to create space for our mids cant be over estimated.
hampson is a better option against certain types especially at centre bounces but ivan is a better option everywhere else.
the way i see it i reckon griffiths and jack will get the two kpf roles and both ivan and hampson will share ruck duties from the bench occasionally changing it up by going forwrd. most likely late in the game one of them will get subbed out and griffiths will then take over from whoever gets subbed.
:clapping :clapping though don't think Hampson will play every week. Probably use him against the Dockers and WC.
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id take ivans all round game over hampsons one dimensional game anyday.
even when ivan isnt getting the ball hes crating for his teammates. hes the best blocking mid we have, when he plays the likes of cotchin and deledio love it.
he may not win as many h/o but he sure as hell wins his fair share and more often than not creaqtes a contest at ground level by neutralising his opponents h/o. its the marks the 1% the c/p along with winning his fair share of h/o that makes him such a valuable player. the way he uses his body to create space for our mids cant be over estimated.
hampson is a better option against certain types especially at centre bounces but ivan is a better option everywhere else.
the way i see it i reckon griffiths and jack will get the two kpf roles and both ivan and hampson will share ruck duties from the bench occasionally changing it up by going forwrd. most likely late in the game one of them will get subbed out and griffiths will then take over from whoever gets subbed.
Great post Claw :thumbsup
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id take ivans all round game over hampsons one dimensional game anyday.
even when ivan isnt getting the ball hes crating for his teammates. hes the best blocking mid we have, when he plays the likes of cotchin and deledio love it.
he may not win as many h/o but he sure as hell wins his fair share and more often than not creaqtes a contest at ground level by neutralising his opponents h/o. its the marks the 1% the c/p along with winning his fair share of h/o that makes him such a valuable player. the way he uses his body to create space for our mids cant be over estimated.
hampson is a better option against certain types especially at centre bounces but ivan is a better option everywhere else.
the way i see it i reckon griffiths and jack will get the two kpf roles and both ivan and hampson will share ruck duties from the bench occasionally changing it up by going forwrd. most likely late in the game one of them will get subbed out and griffiths will then take over from whoever gets subbed.
Good post Claw
Not only does Ivan have those attributes you mentioned but for me he is that spiritual leader on field, I think weve suffered without him on field. Yes he does alot more than hampson around the ground but he also goes busting his arse and involving team mates which is more than I can say for some of our soft players.
Agree with the second part about griff etc, though I think Hampson and Ivan wont play every game together but thats ok with me, need to be versatile depending on opp.
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id take ivans all round game over hampsons one dimensional game anyday.
even when ivan isnt getting the ball hes crating for his teammates. hes the best blocking mid we have, when he plays the likes of cotchin and deledio love it.
he may not win as many h/o but he sure as hell wins his fair share and more often than not creaqtes a contest at ground level by neutralising his opponents h/o. its the marks the 1% the c/p along with winning his fair share of h/o that makes him such a valuable player. the way he uses his body to create space for our mids cant be over estimated.
hampson is a better option against certain types especially at centre bounces but ivan is a better option everywhere else.
the way i see it i reckon griffiths and jack will get the two kpf roles and both ivan and hampson will share ruck duties from the bench occasionally changing it up by going forwrd. most likely late in the game one of them will get subbed out and griffiths will then take over from whoever gets subbed.
Had a good 2012 but 2013 was average at best. It's funny how guys overrate our players, but usually not you Claw. It makes a nice change.
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Hampson is a spud as is Grigg.
We don't have the culture to make spuds better players. These spuds come to our club and just make the place a mash of spuds bound for mediocrity in the bottom half of the eight once every 15 years poking up into the top half just to give false hope to the mass of loyal followers that would bleed for the club.
The cycle of Skata.
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isn't there a culinary term for a mash of spuds?Or is that the collective noun for many spuds?
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this bloke was never worth a second round pick. hes just a hack whose dating a model.
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how does a hack get a model?.....lol