Hardwick referred specifically to Mabior as a #3 ruck in his pre-Brisbane-game presser. A #3 ruck against an All Aust Grundy. To give perspective to the slaughter. To the inevitability.
Very few sides have even a number #2 ruck. Oh. Brisbane does. McInerney. But he bats #1. Nobody has a #3 ruck who can pass at #1 at AFL level.
If Rowan Marshall has to bat #1 he will get massacred. #2 ruck.
Exceptions? All exceptions levelled up at the instant of becoming exceptions.
#1 rucks? There aren't more than ten in the AFL. #2 rucks? Soldo is easily the best of them. If not him Nankervis. You like Marshall? A McEvoy class ruck. A fit Soldo/Nank find out if Marshall has trouble with the *smile* sticking to his fur.
We have Samson Ryan coming through. Excellent.
We can keep Mabior as a #3 ruck for next year. And if he doesn't level up he may not get opportunities and he may be adives that there are better options elsewhere. But he's getting the chance to level up to #2. He won't have to do much to be as hard as RoMA. Not to say he'll be as good.
This bloke was running under the ball every time when we recruited him. He was still doing that at the beginning of this year. But by mid 21 he'd learned to run at the ball when it was in front of him. But not into players.
We can't trade him. We keep Mabior Chol and we develop him. He has steadily improved all year. A credit to him and the coaches. Maybe he does level up to #2 ruck class. If not Samson Ryan will pass him. And may do anyway.
Just 3 matches ago he was up against gold coast's #5 ruck who is shorter than our 300game flanker. And was pantsed.
Thrashed in the bounces, in the air and on the dirt.
Chol is a #3 who can be beaten by a bug hearted committed gutser giving his all for the team.
Yes Chol gets beat by Niknat, Grundypants and Romo and Poro. But he,s gotta learn to draw, play defense ruck and shut it down.
And beat the gold coast midget.
He was terrific on Friday.
Did similar last year. Can't play weeks on end. Drops away too quickly.
We need him to level up by backing it up next week.
Cats have #2 rucks aplenty. Time to shine Mabs