Can we play finals without a Ruckman?

[Magpie.girl]

After watching our last 2 Wizard cup rounds, and also watching most of the other games played, the trend seems to be that teams with dominant ruckman are winning out. Brisbane, Carlton, Richmond, Port all have dominance through the centre because they have good big men rotating.
We on the hand have zero. I was impressed with some of the work done by Guy Richards last week, but considering he had nearly all of last year off because of his kidney, and that he is still very young and needs to get bigger, he will be a couple of years off making any impact.
Josh has had nearly no pre-season, and history tells us that players who cannot complete a pre-season normally struggle throughout the year. They have no foundation for the work load ahead. Pebbles now fits into this category as well, and he is a player who has had trouble with aerobic fitness all of his career.
That just leaves McKee. Oh my god, he is terrible. This guy is the worst footballer we have, and probably the worst in the comp. Ever noticed how we constantly get flogged when he is on the ground, then when he is off we start to find our way and get back into it.
So, I ask 2 questions.
First, with McKee as our first line of attack, are we a serious final contender? We will get flogged out of the middle in most games
Second, why didn't we try to get Porter or another Ruckman in the trade period? Is Noel judkins hanging on to McKee because he is hoping that he might come good and save Judkins from the embarrassment of being the architech of the worst trade in VFL/AFL history? (Anyone heard from Danny Roach?)
Lets hope Josh and Pebbles stand up, and Guy hits the weights big time, because that where it lies.


Pies R Us

[ed healey]

Well in answer to your question.
yes we can make the 8 but No we cant win a flag with no ruckman.
Our recruiting staff have been bellowing loudly from lala land that we dont need a ruckman.
us in the real world know different.

[Black_White]

Play Finals - Yes
Win Finals - No

We Are Collingwood and you're NOT!!

[Smike10]

Magpie.girl, Mckee may not be the most efective ruckman at centre bounces- has trouble timing his jump. But with the new centre circle limiting run ups, body strength, angle of approach and tactics at the bounce can overcome a high leap.

Regardless, Mckee is good value around the ground, can mark, kick straight, pass well to a target and he is very good with his hands in close and mostly finds his players loose on the fringe of the play ( I suppose his tap out in loose play to a team mate in the clear was just a fluke! )


I am not saying that Mckee is brillant but he is okay. He was a far more effective player than Rehn last week - most of the Hawks supposed dominance at the centre clearances were from 50-50 centre contests between midfielders. Let's just get on with it and give him a chance and take one game at a time. Our performance overall was a million times better than against the Swans.