Now our 2nd and 3rd ruckmen are out. McLaren will spit chips when he hears about this. Just when the door would have opened for him, he's lying on his back.

So, do they go for one of the development rucks in Hampson, Aisake and Jacobs, or do we go for a part-time ruckman?

As far as part-time ruckmen go, the choices would be Lance, JK or Setanta.

Ackland needs a big chop-out as there are question marks over his tank. For a start, having either Lance or JK ruck in the forward 50 goes without saying.

But Lance would lose in the ruck pretty conclusively, even against Bryan let alone Fraser. He might gain some possies around the ground, but that wouldn't necessarily compensate. And the opposing ruckman may well have a field day around the ground and running forwards too.

JK is hardly a specialist either.

Setanta has the height and weight, but has never shown the aptitude. And he's required down back. That would robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I'm warming to the idea of Aisake coming in. He could take them by surprise around the ground. And I'd love to see the Irish boys teaming up together. Can you imagine the intimidation factor with that pair.

I hate to say it, but if a bookie were laying odds on whether Cam Cloke will be retained by us at the end of the season, I'd back against it.

Daniel Harford said he talked to a Pies guy around the end of last year and the thinking was that Cam had endured 3 shoulder dislocations, and they weren't sure he'd be able to contribute much in the following 2 years. They thought he might be a contributor long-term, but they couldn't carry him for a couple of years to see if it stabilised.

Apparently, shoulder dislocations are particularly difficult injuries. The shoulder is the most flexible joint of the lot, and there is a high risk of a reoccurence after an initial problem.

Now that Cam Cloke has had 4 similar injuries, the odds of a further reoccurence must be pretty high.

I'd imagine the club would be desperate for him to return to the VFL at least this year. That way, if he is delisted at the end of the year the club won't have to pay him 80% or whatever it is next year and include it under the salary cap.

The problem for us is that Cloke was very much an interim proposition. Along with Ackland and McLaren, he was there to see us through a year or two while the young, tall ruckmen develop. Ackland had the security of a 3 year contract on good money, if the reports from the time are to be believed. He was always in the box seat to continue in 2008. Until Cloke's injury, he looked to have gone past McLaren. But now McLaren might come back into calculations as the 2nd mature ruckman in 2008. Surely, we're going to delist one of the 3 at the end of the year. And would Cloke be worthwhile as a backup workhorse if he is fragile?

If by the end of this season one or more of Aisake, Hampson and Jacobs show that they are ready to go next year, we may not even need another small ruckman in addition to Ackland.

Terrible news for the Clokester.Could someone tell me if Aisake is still a rookie come years end ,can he be drafted by another club?If so, our hands been forced and we should promote him.Whats wrong with a young raw ruckman?These Irishman are so determined to succeed,let him loose to squash some pies.

We have to go a kid. We are about development, not short term solutions i thought?

Pagan often talks with forked tongue - You should know that by now Mav

The question is putting a kid in before he is ready, is that that good for their long term development? The is especially true for ruck.

It is a tough decision.

So Indie, are you CSC's Mav? Enjoy your work over there, all these different names are confusing.

Give Jacobs a go. Article below indicates he use to a challenge against big bodies and he's a country lad. Rough stuff wont worry him

http://www.footygoss.com/modules.php?op ... =0&thold=0

The question is putting a kid in before he is ready, is that that good for their long term development? The is especially true for ruck.

It is a tough decision.