News

Bombers look to boost ruck stocks

Monday, 14 November 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon coach James Hird says picking a ruckman will be among the club's priorities at next week's NAB AFL Draft, but is yet to decide whether an early or late pick will be used to boost its big man stocks.

Watch James Hird's full press conference on BomberTV →

With the loss of 22-year-old rookie Josh Jenkins to Adelaide in trade week, Essendon has only three ruckmen – David Hille, Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers – on its list.

The Bombers will take three live picks to the draft, and despite having previously suggested the club would be in the market for a midfielder with its first pick (selection 19 overall), Hird said a fourth ruckman was high on the priority list.

"We'll certainly look at that," Hird said on Monday at Victoria Park, where Essendon will be training intermittently over the pre-season.

"Whether that's early in the draft or late in the draft, time will tell. We would like to have a fourth ruckman."

Hird said the 30-year-old Hille had been "looking exceptional" on the training track, but that the demands of modern football required four ruckmen on every list.

"I think you need at least four guys who can play in the ruck depending on injuries and it being such an important position. We'll be out there having a look at that position."

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then why would you give up a promising rookie who we didn't need to use a pick on?????

- Mick Pedler (posted 14/11/2011 11:44:19 AM)

Then why did we get rid of Jenkins then? I would have thought a super midfielder and a defender would be higher on the list. I guess, other than Fletch....our backline needs to mature.

- Gary Freytag (posted 14/11/2011 11:49:52 AM)

if we need four why didn,t we promote Jenkins & keep him as he looked ok

- Doug Pridham (posted 14/11/2011 11:54:26 AM)

EI, we had three players drop off the list from 2011 and Crameri has been elevated to the senior list, so that only leaves two places, so how can we have three live picks in the up coming draft unless we de-list another player ?

- Gavin Ford (posted 14/11/2011 12:10:37 PM)

we traded a ruckman to get a pick to get a ruckman?

- John Elwood (posted 14/11/2011 12:17:57 PM)

So, a shopping list with 3 live picks...1 x ruckman, 1 x inside mid, 1 x shut down defender, 1 x gun small forward and 1 x Crameri. Five into three won't go, so something has to give (and that couldn't possibly be Crameri).

- Wesley Hull (posted 14/11/2011 12:24:01 PM)

Bombers, please, how many big men do we want?? Use the first pick to go after the best midfielder available, then worry about another tall. Or go down the rookie path again and develop.

- Tash Leary (posted 14/11/2011 12:26:40 PM)

Pick the best available, no matter what possition they play, mid fielders yes, backs yes, forwards, yes rucks, what ever or where ever, pick the best we can have, the wheat will separate from the chaff, we can cover any possition, if we have the right personnel in the first place, tell the selectors to go for gold.

- Max Rodwell (posted 14/11/2011 12:40:25 PM)

GO DONS

- MARK JONES (posted 14/11/2011 12:48:29 PM)

Sorry, but not following the logic here! Why did we get rid of Josh Jenkins? Nice kid, big body...huge potential!

- Nicole Watson (posted 14/11/2011 12:48:41 PM)

ummm doh.! just let Josh go. future superstar.

- Margaret Dickson (posted 14/11/2011 1:05:46 PM)

shore Hird this Team only needs a Goal Kicker like all the Other sides Have blow try and get a Ruckaman that all Essendon needs i say it over and over and over again this Team needs a Goal Kicker that.s all the matter is we got Paddy Hill Chambers in the Ruck

- MARK JONES (posted 14/11/2011 1:15:14 PM)

EL - Please confirm. Do we have 3 live picks plus Crameri's upgrade?

- Massimo Sedano (posted 14/11/2011 1:19:03 PM)

gumby should step up and play part time in the ruck. mick hurley can ruck but then he can play anywhere - we need 6 of him.

- Margaret Dickson (posted 14/11/2011 1:22:59 PM)

What about Nick Ryan-- looked such a promising rookie and came up through Hird Academy?

- Thomas Faunce (posted 14/11/2011 1:23:02 PM)

and if North Melbourne or Footscray are worried about us picking up a ruckman they may do it to spite us and we might get the midfielder we really want! Joe Daniher will be there in 2013 and both Joe and Gumby are capable of player ruck and CHF.

- James O'Donoghue (posted 14/11/2011 1:30:56 PM)

i told you people, Josh Jenkins was the x factor, we treaded her for noghting i told all of you, jenkins can play she kicked 6 goals against geelong's vfl team for the bendigo fc. see now can't wait till we get ben hudson, and wouldn't be surpriesded if matthew little was drafted to freo. little has potneital and he is hirdy's cousing howcome no mention? little kicked 50 goals and is training with us, remember when barlow trained with us in 2009? he played for freo.

- al Catraz (posted 14/11/2011 1:54:57 PM)

On another note, how many members have we got so far?

- al Catraz (posted 14/11/2011 1:55:58 PM)

James O'Donoghue I think you are spot on. All the Bomber draft talk up until today has been about a good midfielder. I think the Bombers are just making a few other clubs guess & hopefully a quality midfielder may slip to us. If the bombers really want a ruckman, they'll get one in the Rookie draft. Go Bombers

- Charles Taylor (posted 14/11/2011 2:12:19 PM)

Calm down people! Word around draft time was that Jenkins was frustrated by a lack of opportunity and wanted out, he probably would have walked if he wasn't traded, we should be happy with our pick upgrade from the crows. However, a midfielder should be a priority

- casey westcombe (posted 14/11/2011 2:14:33 PM)

We had a young ruckman, Josh Jenkins, we traded him before he even played a game. Hille should've been traded and Jenkins upgraded from the rookie list

- Johann Sebastian-Wilson (posted 14/11/2011 2:18:11 PM)

I thought campbell from bendigo bombers was far better ruckman than jenkins,& we would get him for a late draft pick.This way we use early picks for good midfielders plus the best tall forward available.We could use carlisle up forward he has great hands for a young player.

- jim young (posted 14/11/2011 2:34:40 PM)

Yea strange logic after we got rid of jenkins although pick 31 is useful. I can only assume that jenkins wasnt as good as they hoped... We need a midfielder and a key forward.

- Alan Pratt (posted 14/11/2011 2:48:46 PM)

As Casey Westcombe mentioned - Jenkin's is reported to have been seeking opportunities elsewhere (due to lack of current opportunities at the Bombers where he is behind Hille, Ryder, and TBell). We did the right thing by trying to get something for him.

- Nathan Schultz (posted 14/11/2011 2:50:19 PM)

Quite simple folks... either not considered good enough/wanted to move on.. etc.. etc... Have some of you lost faith in Hirdy & Co with their "superior knowledge of the game" already.. surely not !? I see miss hyde is morse coding on dazzler's behalf again... :-) A "ready to hit the ground running" type selection might be what James is thinking of maybe.. In Hird I Trust- many wise ones amongst us will remember that saying.. Go Bombers :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 14/11/2011 2:50:54 PM)

My opinion is that the club is trying to take the heat off the fact that they are going after Fev, so they write this report to send the media off in another direction while they get it finalized

- Justin Lewis (posted 14/11/2011 3:09:46 PM)

Maybe Josh only had a 1 year contract & didn't want to stay, only logical reason

- Mark McLachlan (posted 14/11/2011 3:12:51 PM)

Another BIG man instead of mid-fielders = BIG blunder!!!!

- Chris Litchfield (posted 14/11/2011 3:22:28 PM)

Yep, the coaches just let Josh Jenkins walk away with absolutely no forethought or planning and now they finally realised, "OMG, he was a ruckman!! Oh, wow, now we need one..." I don't think so. As usual we don't know all the facts about why players leave or are delisted. We got a jump of ten draft spots for Josh, anyway. It was not as if he just evaporated... Justin L, you take the cake, or the mickey - one or the other.

- Kris Bayne (posted 14/11/2011 3:43:12 PM)

RUCKS??????????? I thought our weakness this year, was more mid-field grunt, when the chips were down. Hmmmmmmm............

- Nick Tomaras (posted 14/11/2011 4:06:40 PM)

It's all rubbish fellow bombers supporters. Jimmy is just saying this so there are more midfielders for us to choose from at 19 and 31. Be good if other clubs believe this and go tall with selections before us. Jimmy is very clever, learnt from the best, Sheedy.

- Adrian Ritson (posted 14/11/2011 4:14:25 PM)

This is all smoke screen stuff, we have enough players that can play ruck. Just chillax everyone!

- Steven Boyle (posted 14/11/2011 4:18:25 PM)

calm down people!!! Jenkins probably wanted to go home and lets not forget we already have Joe Daniher coming to the club! The club has all of these matters worked out long in advance.

- Rowan Gerecke (posted 14/11/2011 4:27:29 PM)

I seriously doubt other clubs are overly concerned about who the Bombers take... They will have ideas about all clubs, of course, because it will affect their choices, but to think James talking rucks will send them lather-faced and hysterical back to their notes, well, we don't have the competition running scared just yet. It is quite possible James is fair dinkum and we do need another ruck since Jenkins left. 'spect mid-fielder first up but. Martin G - wanna review ruck choices for us?

- Kris Bayne (posted 14/11/2011 4:58:56 PM)

VERY SPECULATIVE my thoughts Kris. First, there has to be a senior delisting to accomodate a "live" pick at #59. If the choice of a ruckman materialises in Nat Draft it will be this selection and two names come to mind: Downie (Ballarat) and Campbell (Bendigo). Also don't discount a ruckman in the Rookie draft. Cheers

- Martin Gol (posted 14/11/2011 6:04:27 PM)

GET A GRIP ON IT some of you!Hirdy did'nt say he was going to use pick 19.for a ruckman did he????Talk about hysterical!Calm down some of you!lol.

- Mark Elze (posted 14/11/2011 6:04:59 PM)

..read between the lines people!obviously got something in mind for pick 31.RELAX ALL OF YOU.

- Mark Elze (posted 14/11/2011 6:06:53 PM)

Get the best player who ever that happens to be, any position.

- Drewl Modos (posted 14/11/2011 6:42:31 PM)

You have to think 3 years ahead so yes we need one also inside mid and a quickdefender

- johnnny boy (posted 14/11/2011 7:01:03 PM)

Just remember we get Joe Daniher next draft after this one. Wouldn't sign him 2 years ago if he wasn't any good!!!!

- Shane Warke (posted 14/11/2011 7:10:47 PM)

we had one footy between about thirty kids, if yiu didn't fight for it you did't get a kick. we found the best body builder was a good game of charlei over the water!! Sal go bombers!!!

- Sal Trantino (posted 14/11/2011 7:28:04 PM)

Why a Ruckman or Ruckmen, when we desperately need Midfielders. In the words of Pauline Hanson please explain.

- Trent Hobson (posted 14/11/2011 7:28:06 PM)

a great body builder is a goo game of charlie over the water!! Go Bombers!!!

- Sal Trantino (posted 14/11/2011 7:30:11 PM)

Hille is near the end of his career,so another good ruckman is essential.Ryder plays well in ruck,but he can also fill in elswhere,so an extra good ruckman will be needed from time to time.

- Noel Paech (posted 14/11/2011 7:30:17 PM)

Think the Bombers selection committee or who ever really stuffed up this year big time. No work in the trade week, supposedly 3 selections in november draft and how many in december draft?

- Adriano Soldaini (posted 14/11/2011 8:16:01 PM)

Hirdy, I hope your wish list comes true.The team can only go one way and that is forward. Go Bombers, in 2012

- maxwell hart (posted 14/11/2011 8:18:47 PM)

Key defender should be our top priority. Hurley is wasted playing back and Fletch can only have 3 years left in him at best. Our midfield will be dominant in 2 or 3 years so I can't understand the talk of desperately needing mids? We have to fill the void Fletch will leave.

- Josh Byrne (posted 14/11/2011 9:59:24 PM)

As for rucks, still curious to see if JC can play ruck aswell as forward. He's a big boy and still very young. Lots of potential there. With Daniher onboard in 2013, Carlisle could be a very handy fourth ruck option.

- Josh Byrne (posted 14/11/2011 10:03:55 PM)

Noel Paech, I think you are close to the mark re David Hille. If he is thinking of retiring at the end of 2012, for instance, finding another ruckman becomes a priority. Angie

- Angeline Baron (posted 14/11/2011 10:56:02 PM)

All will work out ok. Another ruckmen is a good idea. A hard at it midfielder a must, but still think caddy will end up a bomber only it wont be till 2013!!!!

- ian Cocking (posted 14/11/2011 11:05:42 PM)

All clubs will be looking to improve their list where deficient and if they dont get their first choice they will have look at what they need after that. No club is going to waste a draft pick cause of what someone else says they are after, thats just stupid. Take the article as for what it said Hille is getting on, he couldn't get off the ground in the final against Carlton, we may need some further back if he struggles or is injured.

- Wayne Purcell (posted 15/11/2011 12:11:21 AM)

Of course, any hope of a smokescreen working has been blown out of the water by so many people pointing it out on the site. Assuming any club was interested in what we did, or didn't know what we are up to, they only need to jump on the site. Hird pointed out 2 weeks ago that the selections would be best available, and if a ruckman fits that bill at selection time i'd say we would snare him on a best available basis.

- Wesley Hull (posted 15/11/2011 8:58:29 AM)

Nothing Hird'y says would in any way affect what other clubs think or do, the only affect will be who they pick after Bomber makes a selection at the draft

- Mark McLachlan (posted 15/11/2011 9:29:00 AM)

carnt understand it we all know we need a gun mid and i think we need a good small forward /defender and i reckon we take the chance with fev and rookie list medhurst. anyones thoughts

- Peter Castledine (posted 15/11/2011 10:13:47 AM)

Too many of the posts on this site sound like the sort of sniping we saw before the demise of Knights. Most prayed for the coming of the "messiah" Hird and were in ecstasy at the return of Bomber. Now many of the same think they know more than them. I think not!

- Ian Moore (posted 15/11/2011 10:23:08 AM)

I would call this a smoke screen, tell the media anything, they will sensationalise it no matter what, as i said earlier pick the best available, let the plebs believe what ever they want, when the kettle stops boiling, we have what we need anyway, we have some very astute people doing the picking, trust the experts, not the know alls from the media.

- Max Rodwell (posted 15/11/2011 10:28:01 AM)

I told the club 3 years ago to get a decent ruckman now we need a quality forward and a speedy wingman

- Dave Davo (posted 15/11/2011 10:30:22 AM)

I will go one further james draft a RED HEAD

- Dave Davo (posted 15/11/2011 10:33:55 AM)

Lets just wait and see, if Billy Longer is available i would take him or even Tom Downie could be a goer, there is something about x basketballers. But word is the draft doesnt have much depth beyond our first pick so maybe they will look at a gun mid next year during the super draft. lets hope we get to take daniher with our last pick next year considering he had a knee opp this year.

- Gerard Smith (posted 15/11/2011 11:51:03 AM)

Justin Lewis, I actually hope your right about the Fev story, think Fev would be a good fit, our forwardline is a bit sus, with gumby not been able to get on the park to much is left up to Hurley and if someone gets injured down back he gets shifted. So pick him up for nothing during the rookie draft please

- Gerard Smith (posted 15/11/2011 11:57:56 AM)

Why was Jenkins let go as he was just starting to mature (like the Caddy scenario we could have kept him). We need a genuine midfielder and backman before a ruckman. Whilst I agree Fev is Fev lets give him a go at a low cost. And what about Lovett??....

- Ralph Lepore (posted 15/11/2011 2:23:29 PM)

tallest side ever in afl/vfl next year

- Nathan Williams (posted 15/11/2011 2:55:24 PM)

Anytime I see Fevola's name on this site, the last two lines of the song, "Send In The Clowns", pop into my head.

- Kris Bayne (posted 15/11/2011 3:33:01 PM)

David Hille is always going to be an injury worry so another ruckman will definitly be drafted, although I have my doubts it will be at pick 19, have faith in Hirdy and Bombers judgement they know what their doing.

- Rod Hooker (posted 15/11/2011 3:52:05 PM)

good call mick.p. and gary f. i thought they were going to at attack the mid fielders on there pick selections??????? i hope they get it right. GO DONS...........

- Jim Giovinazzo (posted 15/11/2011 5:03:14 PM)

Todd Elton looks a goer AND is an Essendon supporter, Hopefully he will get to fulfill his dream like Hepps did.

- alec shiffman (posted 15/11/2011 5:09:43 PM)

I'm enjoying listening to the Elton rumours, our supporters are on to it, most anyway. Hoping the Fev talk is another rumour and is extinguished like a candle in the wind!

- Brad Scarr (posted 15/11/2011 7:15:43 PM)

Guys, josh wanted out with 3 ruckmen in front of him. No good keeping someone who doesn't want to be there. Does anyone seriously think we're going to get a GUN midfielder with pick 19??????

- Jamie Robinson (posted 15/11/2011 8:23:56 PM)

It is lovely to see so many opinions but in the end it will be Hirdy and his team who know all the facts and will make what they think is the right choice for the club. The EFC have put them in charge to make these tough decisions and I have full faith that they will make the right ones on our behalf. So lets all keep calm and enjoy the ride ahead.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 15/11/2011 10:18:17 PM)

Could we get a gun midfielder with pick 19, as has been asked? 2001 pick #58 Dane Swan? 1990 #79 James Hird? 2008 #23 David Zaharakis? Jason Johnson #28? Adam Goodes #43 in 1997. Yes, definately, as long as the player is there and we pick well. It's more how they develop once picked. Remember, also, they wont't dominate till maybe 2014 at the earliest (unless they are Dyson Heppell!) so next year's mid field is already at the club.

- Wesley Hull (posted 16/11/2011 9:38:11 AM)

Kris, if Hirdy and co are the messiahs surely they can tame Fev. He is a 50+ goalkicker. Broaden your horizon son.

- Ralph Lepore (posted 16/11/2011 10:27:43 AM)

Ralph,bandaid recruiting is finished now at Essendon..we have players that will kick more "future" goals than that "fletch ankle tapper" in fev ever will...Kris & Wes,amongst others in this forum,are spot on with how we will travel into the future.. Go Bombers :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 16/11/2011 1:32:03 PM)

Ralph, I commend you on your open-minded opinion of Fevola. He was a once-magnificent athlete, with much natural goal-kicking talent. He is trying to turn his life around, and I think he should be watched to see how he develops over time. Whether or not he is a good "fit" for the EFC is the bigger question, really. Angie

- Angeline Baron (posted 16/11/2011 2:17:16 PM)

Wesley, with all due respect the players you have listed with the exception of Zaka were drafted before the TAC comp was the professional unit it is today. As much as I love Zaka & the way he plays I'm not the rest of the AFL would regard him as a GUN midfeielder!!!!

- Jamie Robinson (posted 16/11/2011 2:21:01 PM)

Another ruckman would release Paddy into a key position role ( my choice CHB) with the ability to swap at CHF. Settle the goal to goal line first and then flesh out the rest.If Paddy can settle into CHB (like Lucas did) it will be the making of him.

- John Adlam (posted 16/11/2011 2:46:09 PM)

Hird is as nuts as Sheedy. Why delist a young ruckman to gain a pick ten less, and then announce that he is going after a ruckman. We need midfileders!

- Michael Higgins (posted 16/11/2011 3:18:42 PM)

history may suggest don't waste early picks on ruckmen, so often rookie or late picks provide as much if not more in the ruck. For heavens sake, pick midfielders or continue to suffer the consequences of not doing so.

- Leigh Russell (posted 16/11/2011 4:33:15 PM)

Yes, Jamie. You are quite right. Hird was pre-scientific era and Johnson also. Zaka is not yet near an elite player in any position...BUT...the point is that gems are always found deeper into any draft and #19 (and #31)can definately unearth great talent. Zaka winning a B&F simply proves that. We just have to use those picks wisely.

- Wesley Hull (posted 16/11/2011 4:34:02 PM)

Ralph L, besides his 'baggage' and any distracting circus that would surround him wherever he goes, my issues with Fevola are not his current footy ability. It is if he fits in this team in the long-term, not the short-term of how many goals he might kick in 2012. He is 30 and would take up the spot on the list/team (perhaps) of a younger forward, and when this team is really ready to challenge for a flag, where would Fevola be in terms of value/ability?? My view of the horizon is fine and broad. I want flags and I want lots. Fevola will not get us one.

- Kris Bayne (posted 16/11/2011 5:13:54 PM)

Yep! Todd Elton would be a tantalising prospect if available at #19. My question surrounds his height 197cm - just how tall does a player need to be to become a consistently effective ruckman in the AFL? My thoughts consider him a KPP who can pinch-hit in the ruck. While his closest comparison is Patrick Ryder, it remains to be seen. Undoubtably, the proof is in the pudding, or will be.

- Martin Gol (posted 16/11/2011 6:23:47 PM)

Hird is not saying we dont need a midfielder.He is not saying they are definately going for a ruckman with the first pick.They have to wait and see who the best available player is.Jenkins wanted more game time and why wouldnt he.Sometimes you have to let a player go to reach their potential quicker.With our ruck stocks,it would be awhile for him to get a game.He had the right attittude,he wanted to play next year and good on him.I say,good luck Josh.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 16/11/2011 11:06:20 PM)

I don't want Fevola at Essendon, for the same reasons that Kris has given, anyway, Bomber Thompson said a few weeks ago that our club doesn't want him.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 17/11/2011 12:44:06 PM)

Kris, how old were Dunstall and Ablett Sr. when they retired? Not saying Fev is that good, but full forwards can play until 35-36 and still command a quality defender, freeing up other forwards. But I guess it would all be moot if we still had the Velvet Sledgehammer!

- Josh Byrne (posted 18/11/2011 6:53:38 PM)

Look, Josh, you are just NOT getting it! Dunstall and Ablett were at their peaks when their TEAM were at their peak. You might notice what happened to those respective teams after they retired. IF, IF Essendon were actually climbing through the premiership window, then maybe, maybe a 30-yr old, one-dimension full-forward would be attractive and one with 'issues' might even be considered. But we are not and are dripping with potential key forwards. You seem to be living for the Fevola 'moment'. I am living for the Essendon 'dynasty'. Anyway, end of debate for me. I doubt Fevola will be taken by any AFL team, though, oh, how sweetly, sweetly, ironic, his best fit would be Buffons of Parkville.

- Kris Bayne (posted 20/11/2011 1:02:38 AM)

Furthermore, James Hird, the cheeky little card, was kidding about the 'if Fevola was midfielder' comment, and as for the VS, it was his choice. Move on.

- Kris Bayne (posted 20/11/2011 1:06:25 AM)

No Ruckmen last night, hahahahahahahaha.....great picks :)

- Nick Tomaras (posted 25/11/2011 5:50:55 PM)