Our rucks ?

[Gingernuts]

Interesting stat that the Rooch highlighted today in the chip wrapper:

Adelaide ranks 15th of 16 in winning clearances - this is despite ruckmen Ivan Maric and Kurt Tippett being second only to Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in setting up hit-outs to the advantage of their on-ballers.

Must admit, watching the game Sunday evening it was pretty clear. Maric was dominating the ruck, yet when it came down the Richmond players were much better at clearing it. His taps would go to Adelaide players more often than not, but a good smother or a hard tackle was put on by the Richmond midfielders and when the ball spilled free they swooped and won the clearance.

Maric has improved immensely this year so far and is becoming a more than handy ruckman. It seems that the Adelaide midfield has managed to escape critism due to the misconceived idea that the ruck division is a weak link.

[Felch]

Spot on GN, Maric is a more-than-capable ruckman. I have been a fan of his for a long time - his workrate and aggression has always been good. Our midfield and onball division is the main issue in our form slump. If thats not working, everything else has no chance. Carlton are a prime example - they are as fragile as anyone down back, but can get away with it due to their midfield smashing other sides.

[The Dark Knight]

Interesting stat that the Rooch highlighted today in the chip wrapper:

Adelaide ranks 15th of 16 in winning clearances - this is despite ruckmen Ivan Maric and Kurt Tippett being second only to Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in setting up hit-outs to the advantage of their on-ballers.

Must admit, watching the game Sunday evening it was pretty clear. Maric was dominating the ruck, yet when it came down the Richmond players were much better at clearing it. His taps would go to Adelaide players more often than not, but a good smother or a hard tackle was put on by the Richmond midfielders and when the ball spilled free they swooped and won the clearance.
Maric has improved immensely this year so far and is becoming a more than handy ruckman. It seems that the Adelaide midfield has managed to escape critism due to the misconceived idea that the ruck division is a weak link.

It works both ways. When the ruckman is winning taps the midfield must work for him and tell where they want the ball. I don't like it how a ruckmen is blamed for losing clearances, once the ball hits the ground it's the midfielders job to win the footy, unless your West Coast as Cox and Naitanui do it on their own. Alot of footy is played where midfielders rove to losing rucks as Richmond did Sunday. Once you work out what the opposite ruckmen is doing, sometimes it's easier to do so.

[stan]

Interesting stat that the Rooch highlighted today in the chip wrapper:

Adelaide ranks 15th of 16 in winning clearances - this is despite ruckmen Ivan Maric and Kurt Tippett being second only to Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in setting up hit-outs to the advantage of their on-ballers.

Must admit, watching the game Sunday evening it was pretty clear. Maric was dominating the ruck, yet when it came down the Richmond players were much better at clearing it. His taps would go to Adelaide players more often than not, but a good smother or a hard tackle was put on by the Richmond midfielders and when the ball spilled free they swooped and won the clearance.
Maric has improved immensely this year so far and is becoming a more than handy ruckman. It seems that the Adelaide midfield has managed to escape critism due to the misconceived idea that the ruck division is a weak link.

It works both ways. When the ruckman is winning taps the midfield must work for him and tell where they want the ball. I don't like it how a ruckmen is blamed for losing clearances, once the ball hits the ground it's the midfielders job to win the footy, unless your West Coast as Cox and Naitanui do it on their own. Alot of footy is played where midfielders rove to losing rucks as Richmond did Sunday. Once you work out what the opposite ruckmen is doing, sometimes it's easier to do so.

Agree there, Maric is coming along in leaps and bounds this season. Ive always stated that having a back up in griffen is a must.