West Coast Ruck

[Presti35]

With Nic Nat missing most of 2017, who will WCE use as their ruck option?

There's some interesting choices.

Scott Lycett looked good, I thought. But he is coming back from an injury himself. I thought he'd be good enough to take the lead role and run with it. Then there was reports that he'd miss the first part of the season, if not more. Now it seems that he is available to play, but has the fitness question mark over his head.

Jonathan Giles was recruited last year to fill the gap or to cover for resting players. Now it seems he may be getting more game time than he was brought in for. With Lycett unfit and as a tap ruckman, I guess he is the most likely choice. But he cannot cover other areas of the ground like the others can.

Nathan Vardy was traded in at the end of the year. He didn't play much for Geelong. 25 games. Not too sure if this was injury or form, but at 200cm, we know he can kick goals as well as ruck. I guess the question is, is he good enough for AFL football?

This leaves Drew Petrie. At 34, I guess he was brought in as insurance. Some might say he is lucky to still be on an AFL list after North dropped the bomb on him in August last year. He is still rookie listed by WCE, but they could use him as NicNats LTI replacement. Does he still have it? Is he really a ruck option? Or would he be more suited to backing up/supporting Kennedy?

How does this affect their season? Does anyone think they are still a top 4 chance? Or has the window closed on this older group?

[Jezza]

They have plenty of ruck depth in my opinion.

I think they'll be pushing top 4 again this year. Expect them to win most, if not, all their matches at home, but away form will be the key for them.

[Presti35]

They are an older team now. Still a well balanced team, and have added Mitchell and Petrie for a final top 4 push with this group.

But their window will close soon with Priddis turning 32, LeCras 31, Kennedy, Hurn and Giles turning 30, Wellingham, Schofield and Mackenzie turning 29, and new guys Mitchell and Petrie both turning 35 later this year.

They will miss NicNat, but I think they have a good draw. If one of Lycett/Giles/Vardy step up, then a top 4 spot is a realistic chance.

But you'd think there'd be some big chances to the list is they dont.

[Presti35]

Lycett shoulder. Out for round 1, possibly longer.

[Presti35]

Petrie 10 weeks, broken hand.

[Presti35]

Kennedy looks to have done an ankle/lower leg injury.

Not a ruck, but a massive KPP injury.

[Skids]

3 losses in a row for the pretenders...

Exxxcellent

[Presti35]

^

Hmm. I had them as a top 4 side this year. Might need to rethink that.

[Presti35]

Scott Lycett hurt his shoulder again.

Will be out again after playing one game.

Vardy rucking alone.

WCE sitting 9th on the ladder, I don't think they can go all the way like I did in round 1. But they are still in the running to finish in the top 8.

[Presti35]

I still think their season has been ruined by this

[Jezza]

They're not good enough even if they sneak into the finals.

[Presti35]

They're not good enough even if they sneak into the finals.

How much does a healthy NicNat help?

[Presti35]

Vardy is out now.

Got to admit they've had a prick of a run on injuries to their talls.

[Pies4shaw]

Yes. That - along with general softness and the lack of any actual footballer in the forward line other than Kennedy - has ruined their season.

[ronrat]

More calls for a mid season draft no doubt from WA. Once they get of the bounce they will just get some 7 foot 6 basketballer from China anyway. WCEshould make the lazy bludger Darling ruck and run himself into the ground so he can learn what those upfield do week in week out for him.