Tucky is a hard ball/contested machine - no doubt. But there is a reason why he has not been played up until now - he is not a great user of the ball, not a good decision maker and does not provide run and carry. We all love his strength around stoppages but if he hands it straight back to the opposition then it is a waste.
I agree that Tucky is an ideal sub to replace an injuries or underperforming player during the game but I don't think he is a great tactical choice. It seems most clubs are using their sub to add additional run into their exhausted side in the later portion of the game. Last night we won the game because North were dead on their feet. Against another, fitter side, I wonder if subbing on Tuck may have been been a tactical problem. ??? Tuck would be better used on the field early where he can win the contested ball and feed it out to our better ball users. The old Tucky 'slap the ball on the foot to gain ground without even looking' just doesn't cut the mustard any longer imho. Perhaps he could win the ball for us early in a game only to later make way for a better runner.
I think I've joined the Gus detractors after last nights efforts. I felt the coaches didn't do him any favours last night by leaving him one out as our only ruck option once Vickery was subbed off. Gus just doesn't have the endurance to run out a game. In every game I've seen this year he seems exhausted. Another problem for mine was his ruck work. He kept playing the man all night, jumping early and sometimes not even looking at the ball. When he did he did suprizingly well. Even around the ground he gave away far too many frees. Even the compentators were stating that if another option was avaiable Gus would not be playing. Even though he will be as raw as they come, either one of Browne or Derickx (if fit) should be given a go.
Nason looks out of his league - too slight and didn't provide any pace or run last night. Doesn't get into the right position to win the ball.
Jackson was stupid, plain and simple. Why he decided to throw his elbow back when the game was almost done is beyond me. Out for 4 weeks given his poor record.
For mine -
Out - Jackson, Nason, Gus
In - Helbig, Webberly, Browne
The biggest problem Jackson ommision will cause is the lack of an extra tagger. Both White and Jackson have been tagging at different stages this year so White will definitely tag someone next game (Black perhaps) but not to the same degree Jackson would have. If we need another player to do a shadow role on an oppsition player it start to hurt our attack meaning someone such as Grigg would need to undertake the role.
As bad as Gus has been the rest of the ruck options have been equally embarrassing so he will probably stay due to lack of choices rather than form. I'd love to see Browne get a game but it's a huge risk. Vickery would have to step up to support him far more than normal decreasing our forward options.
Helbig should be better for the run in Coburg despite the result. I never found out, how did he go individually?
I'm also choosing Webberley without knowing his Coburg form too. Has been good/bad/indifferent? I picked Webberely because I'm looking for run and foot skills that we could use as a sub.
