Simpson ponders Eagles AFL ruck options
May 8, 2017 - 5:31 PM West Coast coach Adam Simpson will consider changing up his ruck mix in the wake of their disappointing display against Port Adelaide last week.Jonathan Giles and Nathan Vardy were comprehensively outpointed by Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder in the Eagles' 10-point win on Saturday.
The Power won the hit-out count 48-30, and it translated into a 44-35 win at the clearances.
Ryder's dominance in the ruck also helped Port Adelaide gain a whopping 68-39 win in the inside-50m count.
Although West Coast escaped with a 10-point victory, Simpson knows he needs more from his ruck division.
But with Nic Naitanui (knee), Scott Lycett (knee), and Drew Petrie (hand) still injured, Simpson's options are limited.
West Coast take on the Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on Friday night.
And with the Bulldogs set to again use forward Tom Boyd as their main ruck option, Simpson will consider axing one of his own ruckmen.
"I thought our ruck division got comprehensively beaten on the weekend, so we'll have a look at that this week," Simpson told 6PR's Sportsday.
"A little bit has got to do with the opposition as well. If the Bulldogs don't play a ruckman, then we'll adapt.
"But we're not going to pull apart our strategy either. It's always a weekly discussion at match committee."
Simpson is reluctant to use Jeremy McGovern as a back-up ruckman given his importance in defence.
Forward Jack Darling can pinch hit in the ruck, while elevated rookie Fraser McIness is a chance to earn a call-up if Simpson axes either Vardy or Giles.
The Bulldogs will be without injured duo Jake Stringer and Josh Dunkley.
Stringer will miss the next two to three weeks with a knee injury, while Dunkley needs surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder and won't return until the tail-end of the season.
The Eagles expect to have midfielder Liam Duggan (corked thigh) available to return after he was a late withdrawal last week.
Source: AAP
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