I've been banging on about this for a good 6-8 weeks now.
We went in with 2 rucks tonight, and for me the game tipped in our favour when Hammer was subbed off.
Pies have won 10 in a row with 1 ruckman
We are so much more dangerous when we add speed and run with more mids and less rucks. Our small forward line was our point of difference tonight and we must stick with it.
Please match comittee, FFS stick with just Matty K next week, you blokes must resist bringing in Warnock.
MK had his best game for the year whilst playing as a RUCKMAN. Wow, who would've thought!?

If things get desperate use Watto as a defensive relief ruckman. Our run is our weapon
Stick with it
For the love of god (Judd)

Thoughts would be appreciated.

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i AM CARLTON

Still need some insurance I reckon. hammer as a forward and pinch hit in the ruck. warlock is surplus.

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"I had to eat"

I think all tonight proves is that 3 rucks is too many ... and one can be enough if the oppositions injuries match our own.

Tonight wasn't a good yeast. Jolly is in decline and Dawes is, well, Dawes is shit.

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"I had to eat"

Good post.

I think we're so used to the conventional set ups with up 2 rucks, 3 tall defenders and 3 tall forwards with potentially a spare tall on the bench that it's easy to get blinded to the fact that our strength is our run.

We see the success West Coast have with their army of giants and it seems overwhelming when we get outmarked in pack situations.

But you're right. The more run we have the more success we have.

If Warnock plays he must play in the ruck because that's what he is. But that diminishes Kreuzer's phenomenal and unique attributes. His aerobic fitness and willingness to get involved and hunt the footy.

Hammer is a good foil because he can play forward and relieve Kreuze as necessary but Warnock cannot do the same (unfortunately).

Will be interesting to see what the match committee does. I thought for sure that Jamo had dislocated his shoulder in the first minute. He really is like "Riggs" in Lethal Weapon.

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Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight, don't blame it on the good times, blame it on the WIGGINS!

Pies won flag with Jolley and Brown doing the backup.
Cats I think did the same.
WCE - have Cox and Nic Nat is just a freak ruck/rover
Better with more run in the midfield..
It didn't work with Essendon* last year, failed with Carlton so far.

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12-5-2015 - Go WADA
18-8-2015 - Suffer Hird* u lying flower
12-1-2016 - CAS goes bang, happy new year.. Drugcheats forever..

1 or 2 is debatable but 3 was just downright stupid. I hope they now realise that!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Two ruck men are more than enough, and I support Krooze and Hammer. Sadly I can't really fit 206 into this side, even though injuries can always tell a different story.

Krooze did a great job tonight, but that was where his strength is, at ground level. He smashed Jolley in terms of disposals and effectiveness, but Jolley actually creamed him at the ruck contests. Don't think that's too big a deal as Jolley was actually woeful other than this.

I can't really fault a strategy with Hammer playing mainly forward and Krooze playing mainly in the ruck, with Hammer resting Krooze from time to time. 206 is ok, but like others, I feel he is very good at tapping the ball to the ground and to no-one in particular. Can't see him lasting beyond the end of the year. Hammer on the other hand was great with that early tap over the back for an easy goal. That's what he can do and I hope he can get back from injury soon. Shame also about Sauce, always thought he was good at rucking and not bad around the ground.

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also on twitter @m_j_short

The big issue is if Hampson is a forward?

Kruezer has proved tonight that he is a 100% ruckman.

We need a big forward me thinks ( a fit Waite may help)

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They coud'nt.....could they?

Personally, I think the Waite story will continue to be one of unfulfilled talent, both through injury and brain fades. Sad to say, i'm not relying on him featuring in the team going forward.

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also on twitter @m_j_short

Hampson PCL. Kreuzer needs to ruck. I thought he looked crocked before tonight. His recovery. For next week will tell all.
is there a place for Warnock. I don't see it.

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T E A M

This is my point
what does more damage? Kreuz around the ground, or the oppositions ruckman winning more hitouts?
Lets have a look

Jolly- 39 hitouts
Kreuz- 21 hitouts

Jolly- 7 disposals, 3 contested
Kreuz- 17 disposals, 10 contested

Clearances:
Pies- 26
Blues- 38

so from that, i would take Kreuz's work around the ground over winning taps in the middle
These stats show that if you get the on ball brigade right, it does not matter who wins the taps. Jolly dominated the hitouts yet Carlton dominated the clearances, and Kreuz added a midfielders run and carry on top
Next week hammer should come out and Hendo in if fit.
1 ruckman is our key to winning games

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i AM CARLTON

My point exactly. How many times have we won hit outs this season but got smashed in clearances. Hit outs don't tell the full story. Efforts like Krooze tonight are far more meaningful.

You do need a backup ruckman though

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also on twitter @m_j_short

We might need a tall forward though. We didnt miss hampson in the ruck but as the season rolls on we are going to need a tall forward. The tactics we used tonight after Hampson went down will get worked out pretty quickly.

If Waite or Henda come back then no need for Warnock or Hampson.

I like the idea of Kreuzer as the sole ruckman for the moment as well. Problem is, with Hammer another casualty, we again need a key forward. Warnock isn't it, so I would leave him out (or it forces MK forward).

Would we be brave enough to punt on a thoroughly underprepared Squid or maybe Levi? We need someone big to make a contest. Hammer did well tonight prior to being injured.

Hopefully Henda is back next week!
But if not i'd love to see us go in small again. Not only does it nullify their bigger defenders, it means our chasing, tackling and all around pressure is intense. And our speed......well.......... unprecedented.

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i AM CARLTON

Tonight was awesome. For the next few weeks we should keep it much the same.

Kreuzer in the ruck for the majority of the game.
Henderson to come in for Hampson and play forward.
Watson second tall in back line.
Duigan forward to put extra pressure on opposition defences.

Trade Warnock at the end of the year.

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Silvagni

Warnock can walk end of year

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Straight swap Warnock for Shiel Win/Win

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Silvagni

I am concerned about having only one ruck. I think Collingwood were better when they had Brown AND Jolly.

As many people have said though, Warnock isn't a particularly good forward so where does that leave us? Is Hendo or Watson capable of taking the ruck work in the back (or fwd) half when Kreuz needs a spell?

Or do we have to ultimately cut our losses and play Warnock as the #1 ruckman until Hampson is back, and have Kreuz spending at least half of his game time up forward? Wouldnt want to be the guy responsible for making a call on that!

At least next year may be a different story when we should have a fit Kreuz, Hampson and then maybe the likes of Mitchell or Casboult who can definitely pinch hit in the ruck. Makes me wonder whether some people are right in saying that Warnock doesnt really have a place in the team going forward.

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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman