SA Footy

Interesting poll over on the SANFL web site, in regards to who is the best ruckman at league level going around in season 2009. I think the stats as reflective on the site to now, are a true indication of where it should be.

For me, Cranston is and has been the most consistent ruckman in the comp for at least the last 2 seasons and a clear standout above the rest. I honestly can not understand how he wasn't able to at least get a gig as the back up rucman for the last 2 State games. Buckets Mackenzie is a proven performer and has been ok for Centrals but has played 2nd fiddle to Griffin a fair bit.

I've made this a poll* to see how similar it will be to the SANFL one, I'm sure Cranston will continue to get the most votes. Meiklejohn from Port has had an outstanding year also, up to being injured, and can't work out why he wasn't the SA ruckman over in Perth either !!??

Angas Kurtze would easily be the most improved, despite dropping off a little bit of late due to injury but I have also been very impressed with Lachlan Button at Glenelg. He has played key position more so in the past but has recently backed up Cranston and impressed using his big frame and an ability to work well around the ground.



SANFL website poll as at 1.46pm 12/8/09:

Angus Kurtze : (53) 23%

Cain Ackland : (10) 4%

James Meiklejohn : (25) 11%

Trevor Cranston : (71) 31%

Jason MacKenzie : (35) 15%

Other : (35) 15%

Total votes: 229

I think you've summed it up perfectly, BP.

redandblack wrote:I think you've summed it up perfectly, BP.

Thanks mate, if your ruckman Matthew Lobbe keeps up his good form, he might not only be finding himself amongst the list above but more importantly for the lad, he may get a gig at the higher level. In all games I've seen live or on the telly playing for West, since crossing from Port, he has been very good. He is very athletic, moves around the ground well and has very good skills for a big man.

OK, who voted for Cain Ackland???

dedja wrote:OK, who voted for Cain Ackland???

I would have earlier in the season but he's definately gone off the boil (injury doesn't help), I voted Cranston but having said that I expected the Bays to get more clearances than they did on the weekend especially with Ackland out and O'hara off for a majority of the game.

I voted for Buckets

Best ruckman in the SANFL last 5 years by a long way.

Who cares how many hitouts a ruckman gets .

Its his heart and versatility that makes him in my opinion #1

once_were_warriors wrote:
Who cares how many hitouts a ruckman gets .

Its his heart and versatility that makes him in my opinion #1

Using that logic, you would be happy with Phar Lap at Pecker Park.

Interesting that they don't have Dabrowski as an option, even though he has been a state ruckman for the last two years! I guess he comes under the category "other"...

Anyway, I voted Meiklejohn. Despite it being quite difficult to spell.

dedja wrote:OK, who voted for Cain Ackland???

Well he is better than Kurtze and others (eg Dabrowski) who got votes but I am not happy that Budgie hasn't been included in the main poll!

once_were_warriors wrote:I voted for Buckets

Best ruckman in the SANFL last 5 years by a long way.

Who cares how many hitouts a ruckman gets .

Its his heart and versatility that makes him in my opinion #1

Agreed. I guess half the time he's not rucking but roving to the other ruckmans taps for a centre clearance.
What I don't understand, is it seems the AFL "schooled" ruckmen always seem to jump early (under the ball) and thus most often be ineffective. Very different to the old Peter Carey, Redden (and Buckets) style of actually placing taps to your team mates.

I'd also add watching last years GF several times I thought Cranston was very good. I think Buckets got the medal probably taking into account that his performances throughout the final series were instrumental in getting the flag, not just on the day. I reckon James Gowans was best on ground by a mile (sorry off topic)

sjt wrote:I'd also add watching last years GF several times I thought Cranston was very good. I think Buckets got the medal probably taking into account that his performances throughout the final series were instrumental in getting the flag, not just on the day. I reckon James Gowans was best on ground by a mile (sorry off topic)

I agree with that.

I tell you what though. If west can make the 5, with Lobbe & Moran available for finals. They could be hard to stop.

I went Buckets mainly cause he causes Cranny alot of grief in previous ecounters. But as for a all rounder player cranny would be better. Buckets reminds me of the old style ruckman (like Super) big slow but precise.

Buckets MacKenzie.

Underated by a mile...