Our ruck to midfield connection

[Pies4shaw]

It's quite difficult to see how that can possibly be accurate. He had just about a career-best game last Friday night and the team kicked 7 goals. Whatever his role is, it doesn't achieve anything.

Anyway, I was responding to a comment that proposed that Cox replace Grundy in the ruck. My point, which is self-evidently correct, is that Cox cannot ruck for the majority of an AFL game. It isn't like he was starring in the forward line. He played just 11 games, kicked 14 goals, had 3 goal assists and averaged 6 disposals per game. Even so, he wasn't put into the ruck, even when Grundy could barely run.

[5 from the wing on debut]

[The Boy Who Cried Wolf]

^ Cox also wanders too far from goal to help us with kick outs and can't get to where he needs to be... ie the top of the goal square.

[PyreneesPie]

[The Boy Who Cried Wolf]

Pretty much PP - also means Cox doesn't have to be our kick out target.

As to where Grundy rests, I guess the bench... although I'd like it to be down at the local internet cafe refunding some of that 1 mil per year until he learns to rest in the fwd line

[Pies2016]

^ ^ ^

Yes and the kick out target isnt quite as relevant as a tactic in 2021 because the kick out has now added a potential 15 - 20 metres onto it with the new rule ( until it’s eventually enforced properly )
Teams are trying to get out the back of the opposition rather than have the play held up at around the 50 metre defensive arc.
Being forced to kick from the goal square was simply to easy for defences to set up against. It’s one of many reasons why the stoppages were so low after round one.

[PyreneesPie]

[think positive]

[piedys]

Not meaning to piss on tonight's epic win, but... it was still f^cking painful to watch the bounce-downs and centre clearances wasn't it...?

[think positive]

funny how much better Grundy looks when the mids actually move their arses and get to the ball!

[eddiesmith]

[Pies2016]

I know P4S and K like your stats, so both of you can make of this what you will

Since 2018, the team that has won the clearances / stoppages has gone on to win the game 58 % of occasions.
It’s a slight advantage but hardly a major determinant as to whether you go on to win the game or not.
So by extension, whether you rate Grundys hit outs or not, I’m not convinced a ruckmans hitouts have a major bearing on the outcome of the game. Conversely, Grundy at his around the ground ( midfielder ) best does have a significant outcome on any match.

I have long advocated that clearances receive more attention than they deserve because most are executed under pressure and invariably make their way to an opposition player. The most important component of a successful clearance ( chain ) is the second possession which is usually received under less pressure and allows the game to open up.
Statistically since 2018, only 37 % of all scores have come from stoppages / clearances, while 59 % of all scoring has come from intercepts.

In a nutshell, even if you win more clearances than the opposition, unless that initial clearance makes its way to a team mates advantage, you are effectively inviting the opposition back into the game. And it’s at this point, the rest of our midfielders now enter the conversation.

There are clearances and there are clearances but the ones that matter most are the ones that form the second possession in the chain.

Finally, Richmond’s three flags were ALL won the back of losing more clearances than their opponents each week ( as an overall average )

Stats courtesy of Stats central

[Magpietothemax]

[RudeBoy]

The improvement from Sier and the inclusion of Sidey led to a significant boost to our overall midfield performance. Grundy will never be a great tap ruckman like Len Thomson or Max Gawn, but his follow up and ruck roving role makes him a force to be reckoned with.

[PyreneesPie]