The Brisbane List – Rucks

Written by Motts on February 9 2012

Who’s that amongst the tall timber? Its Brods continuing his analysis of the Lions by breaking down the Brisbane Big Boys.

Matthew Leuenberger, $554,200, 22, 92.8

If you’re a little worried about the durability of Cox and Sandilands or the price tag on Mumford and Goldstein then here’s your man! Didn’t post a score below 100 after round 15 last season including a massive 172 against the Suns. Now that Clark has left for the Demons he should spend a lot more time down forward to further enhance his scoring chances.

Ben Hudson, $453,500, 17 ,74.1

Plucked out of retirement to help plug the holes left by Charman’s retirement and the delisting of Macauley. If they’re looking to put time into Longer then you’d like to think that Hudson would only be used as a pinch hitting ruckman at best. Still, hard to see who will be getting the spot vacated by Mitch Clark with Staker out injured. Maybe that will go to….

Billy Longer, $161,600

Pick 8 in the draft and he’s already impressed with his work ethic in the pre-season stacking on some kilos. Has been compared to big Cox on more than one occasion for his playing style. Not expected to hold down the ruck spot as per Zac Smith last year but given his marking strength overhead may even find himself in the vacancy left by Clark up forward. With Hudson waiting in the wings though it could be a while before we see Longer string together enough games to make you some quick cash.

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6 thoughts on “The Brisbane List – Rucks”

  1. Brods, do you think the recruitment of Hudson will have a negative effect on Leuey’s scores? ie less TOG, being rested (was one of the only rucks to play 22 games last year, if not the only).

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  2. Hudson is there should anything happen to Leuenberger I feel so they don’t expose Longer or have to use someone like McGuire in the ruck.

    It’s a more serviceable specialist ruck combination though and given the tactics used last season you’d think it would continue and Leuey would get his rest time down in the goal square as a leading tall.

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  3. Leuey has a serious motor on him. He runs like a midfielder. If there is a ruck man who can shoulder the load without to much rest in is Leuey. The test is against those bigger bodied blokes who will try an beat up on him (i.e. Mummy and Sandi)… but hey, they do that to everyone!

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  4. Hudson was hardly impressive for the dogs last year, so it’s hard see where he’d get opportunity to pinch points off Luey.

    Lions need to be able to give Luey a breather without getting smashed for five minutes. That’s what Hudson gets paid for, and I doubt he’s got a lot more than that to offer.

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