What's our best ruck combo?

[georgies31]

Last night showed up Soldo's absence as a massive loss (never thought I'd say that). Chol will be dropped while Nank can't ruck alone when the opposition plays two rucks (beaten by McInerney & Martin over 4 quarters). Thanks CCJ, I hope that kebab was worth it .

If it's the Dogs next week we may get away with only Nank against Tim English but no way will it work against the Saints' Marshall & Ryder or the following week against Port's Lycett & Ladhams. We desperately need a plan B? Do we experiment with Caddy or Broad or shift Balta upfield? No guarantee either will work anyway .

People underestimate Soldo huge loss our structure hasn't been the same and Chol not even quarter of him as a player.People may laugh he could have been difference between us winning the flag or not.Need to fix the ruck situation up asap.Add  CCJ screwing us over people weren't making a big deal won't play etc how wrong we were I'm furious at him.Saints will have a field day if we go with current setup.

[one-eyed]

Against Brisbane last night, Nank had just 11 hitouts & Chol 9  .

[one-eyed]

The Tigers have a big ruck call to make

The Tigers used defender David Astbury as Toby Nankervis' ruck back up against the Saints, which was an easier call given St Kilda's ruck stocks were depleted by the loss of Paddy Ryder. Astbury battled manfully in his stints, but is clearly more at home in the defensive 50. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and his selection committee have an interesting decision to make next week against Port Adelaide, though. Are Nankervis and Astbury as a pinch-hitter going to be enough against Power duo Scott Lycett and Peter Ladhams? Or will Mabior Chol be brought back to offer more ruck support?   

Source: AFL website

[Diocletian]

Against Brisbane last night, Nank had just 11 hitouts & Chol 9  .

So in other words, Chol only had two less hit outs than Nankervis despite attending less than half as many ruck contests....

[one-eyed]

How the Tigers manage their ruck assistance for Toby Nankervis will be fascinating early in the season.

On Friday night Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol split the duties, while Noah Balta also pinch-hit in the role. It is one of the few questions the Tigers have to work out ahead of the start of the season.

Source: AFL website

[one-eyed]

Tigers ponder ruck format

Richmond are yet to settle on their structure in the ruck department heading into the new season’s start.

With 2019 premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo likely to be sidelined for most of the season following a total knee reconstruction, the Tigers are yet to settle on their structure in the ruck department.

“We’re still trying to figure out what that (the ruck format) looks like for us,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said following the match.

“Toby was very good in the first half. I thought ‘Marbs’ (Mabior Chol) was really good when he went in there. Noah (Balta) and Dave (Astbury) pinch hit at various stages as well.

“So, we’ve just got to figure out how that works.

“We went one way at the start of last year, and then another way towards the back end of last year.

“It might be horses for courses. We’ve been that way before.

“We’ve got some development stocks in our rucks, so we’ll continue to invest in those guys as well.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/876367/tigers-ponder-ruck-format

[Tiger Khosh]

I still think Nank rucking solo is the best fit for our team. Just needs a chop out every now and then which balta can do.

[Diocletian]

Not sure a return to 20 min quarters, 22 rounds and the reduced interchanges will do do Nank any favours as a solo ruck.. 

[Damo]

Not sure a return to 20 min quarters, 22 rounds and the reduced interchanges will do do Nank any favours as a solo ruck.. 

Agree .. need him fresh for another big September

[Tiger Khosh]

Not sure a return to 20 min quarters, 22 rounds and the reduced interchanges will do do Nank any favours as a solo ruck.. 

Agree .. need him fresh for another big September

Fair point there. Can give him a rest every now and then. I was just more saying in terms of our best 22 come crunch time. Nank was immense solo rucking in the finals last year, back to his 2017-2018 form.

I’m hoping CCJ can develop into a second option though.

[mightytiges]

It was only one bad day from Nank but will we need to go back to 2019 and play two rucks going forward?

[Rampsation]

Ryan is performing well in the twos.

[Buddysucks]

Whilst Balta looks good on ball, we can’t have him missing from defence on days like this. Another marking talk around the ground wouldn’t hurt us at all.

[The Machine]

Whilst Balta looks good on ball, we can’t have him missing from defence on days like this. Another marking talk around the ground wouldn’t hurt us at all.

Yes- Balta and Asbury had a few mix ups today changing from back to ruck. Would like to look at another relief ruck so we can leave Balta back full time.

[Diocletian]

We need another three Baltas......