There is strong opinion on this forum about who prefers who.

Everyone would agree however that we need all three. Kreuze going down makes that clear. Never again should we be placed in a position where Bret Thornton has to pinch hit in the ruck if someone goes down. With O'Hailpin in the side we at least have a pinch hitting emergency if the Fremantle situation ever arises again. But if Setanta has a continuing run of poor form and gets dropped or if he gets injured, do we play all of Jacobs Hampson and Warnock in the same side?. Jacobs and Warnock are pure ruckmen who could not play key forward. Hampson possible, but unlikely, in my view.

For me Sammy Jacobs is far superior to the others on limited overall comparisons this year and last. He is slow and lumbering, but looks like a footballer, has a good football brain, and makes good decisions in traffic. He is a far better mark than the other two. I am disappointed in Warnock (high expectations probably) and surprised by the adulation of Hampson, who now gets his chance. I think Hampson and Warnock should both try wearing gloves to improve their marking. All three are young and need development.

Statistical comparisons are of limited value this year given that Jacobs has only played 9 games, Warnock 5 and Hampson just 1, but here they are anyway, average stats per game 2010. I am interested in the thoughts of others.

Kicks Handballs Total Disposals Marks Hitouts Tackles
Jacobs 3.1 7.6 10.7 2.9 19.2 4.1
Warnock 3.0 6.0 9.0 1.2 14.0 2.0
Hampson 2.0 2.0 4.0 0 10.0 1.0

Saw Hampson at the bullants game today. His foot was heavily strapped. I read somewhere earlier in the year that he was nursing a bad foot. Probably the old bruised heel and would explain nobody being able to pinpoint a return to football for him earlier in the year. Terrible injury is the bruised heel.

I think he is the best out of all our rucks. If he can get his marking going he will be dangerous up forward also. In fact he is dangerous without the marking. He is a different player than the other two so cant really compare them to him.

Big Sauce will always be a fave because he came off the rookie list. He has worked very hard to get to where he is now which is good but not great. He will need to keep improving to stay with the other two. However, he is the best ruckman we have at this present time in my opinion.

long term
Kruezer & the Hammer
although
id love to see the Hammer playing up forward permanetly
like jacobs but not sure we cud play 3 ruckman unless one was always in the forward line

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CAR17ON