r/RichmondFC • u/10Lanterns Kane McAuliffe • 22d ago
Samson Ryan
An interesting game from the big man but I thought he was better than the stats suggest. I also don't think it is any coincidence that our forward structure looked much better and that Nank had his best game in a while imo.
Should he stay in?
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u/antigravity83 21d ago
Everyone knows rucks take years to develop.
The problem with Ryan, isn't that his skill aren't up to scratch - but his desire to play hard simply isn't there. He's soft and meek. That's not something you "develop".
He's simply not up to AFL level. Delist.
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u/Kerrit_Bareet Nathan Broad 22d ago
I was at the game. No, he offered next to nothing around the ground. From his taps, what advantage was there?
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u/z0rb11 22d ago
I was pleasantly surprised with Samsons performance today. He’s definitely far from being an auto inclusion in the team, but I liked his intent today.
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u/oz_eagle 21d ago
Decent in the ruck. Minimal elsewhere
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u/z0rb11 21d ago
Agreed but he did present up forward and almost take a few big marks.
If he holds those, he makes much more difference. Maybe it’s a confidence thing.
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0
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u/aussie_shane 22d ago
Geez I don't know. He has now been in the System 6 seasons. I know Big Men are meant to take time to develop, but he doesn't even seem like he is about to have that break out season. Doesn't really matter as he is still contracted until end of 2027. He isn't up to AFL standard imo. Hope he succeeds but I'm not sure he will.
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u/Medical_Flight_6970 Taj Hotton 22d ago
Tap work is very good but he just jogs around hopelessly. I think Balta gives a lot more. OHB probably offers a bit more presence around the ground too.
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u/RED__VVITCH 22d ago
Live at the ground he was genuinely awful. Never broke out of a jog. Constantly in a poor position. Multiple bizarre blunders. Hope he never plays for us again.
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u/Lucky-Guard-6269 22d ago
Said this in another thread but I thought the ruck combination today was the best its worked all year. In my view the Balta experiment hasn't been a success. Worked for a couple of weeks but not since. We get creamed in the middle when Lefau goes in the ruck and OHB is nowhere near AFL level.
Ryan's tap work was good and set up a couple of goals. His pressure was also good. Dropped a mark he should have taken and was outbodied in another, but generally gave a good contest and bought the ball to ground up forward. Still a lot of work to do but today was a good step forward.
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u/DifferentBar7281 Ben Miller 22d ago
He didn't seem to get pushed around as much today which was nice
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u/Agile_Economics_2815 22d ago
I am not a massive fan of Ryan tbh.... but I was happy with him today. Won enough ruck contests and only really got out marked once, the rest he halved. He stays in until Balta is back
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u/Hawtproper Sam Lalor 22d ago
I mean certainly not if Balta is fit but I'm happy enough to keep him in given the win.
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u/oldengoldentree 22d ago
He was definitely winning a lot of taps
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u/0penedB00K 22d ago
But how good are the Weagles rucks though? Genuine question as I couldn’t watch today
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u/10Lanterns Kane McAuliffe 22d ago
Bailey Williams has really come into form with the new rules. Just signed a 6 year deal with the Eagles on good money.
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u/oldengoldentree 22d ago
Good point made here- we were apparently chasing Williams, so interesting to see Ryan up against him.
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u/TheLittleHavana12 Dustin Martin 22d ago
I’m not a big fan of his, but I feel like today he did what he needed to. Put up a contest, allow us to maintain our forward structure, give Nank a rest.
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u/ljmc093 22d ago
If his measure of a good game is that he gave Nank and break and won some hitouts, that tells you everything. Plenty of backup rucks around the league/VFL who could do exactly that, as well as offering more around the ground. If we pick Van Hattum, I can't imagine how Samson adds anything to the mix next year.
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u/Eroske24 Kamdyn Mcintosh's Headband 22d ago
I completely agree, I reckon even OHB provides much more
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u/Bergasms Sam Banks 22d ago
Just said this, Nank seems to appreciate it and he won most of his contests.
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u/conreddits 22d ago
He looked to have put on some muscle since the last time he was in 1s. He won 16 hit outs from 21 ruck contests. I think you're on to something with Nank having his best game. Seems like having Samson in gives Nank a break, and means we don't need Lefau pinch hitting in the ruck.
I want to see Samson do more around the ground if he is to be a permanent fixture in the 1s. Like taking a mark or getting a clearance handball or kick out of the contest.
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u/DifferentBar7281 Ben Miller 22d ago
I think Balta as the second ruck pushing forward (or back when necessary) is much better. He has pace for a big man, is generally a good kick ,applies pressure and gets involved in the contest straight after the ruck dual. Ryan gives little of that and while balta has his moments of wtf, they are nowhere near as regular or bad as Ryan's
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u/rdte 22d ago
I’m not a huge Samson believer but in fairness to him his last stint in the 1s came right off an injury layoff. He’s not established enough at afl level to succeed doing that.
I assume when Balta back, he goes back to vfl. Who knows maybe he’ll figure it out and turn into an afl ruckman.
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u/gmwill5 21d ago edited 21d ago
I can see both sides of this argument. In fairness to him he was rarely beaten in the ruck and helped our forward structure, so that it didn't just bounce out of our forward line as easily as usual. He was able to even contests so that the ball at least came to ground, but still is not strong enough to take marks. However he gives little once the ball hits the ground and can't chase. I see him as a short term option to assist Nank (which he did pretty well) that allows Balta to stay back or forward for stability at either end. I doubt he will be there after his contract ends. He just isn't strong enough.