AFL Legends Criticise Fremantle's Ruck Dilemma as 'Crisis'
AFL icons Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes have launched a scathing critique of Fremantle's persistent use of a two-ruck combination, labelling Sean Darcy as "useless around the ground" and advocating for a "fire sale" trade at season's end. The duo contends that the Dockers' commitment to pairing Darcy with Luke Jackson is severely "hamstringing" the team's performance, with Cornes describing the situation as having reached "crisis levels" for Darcy.
Jackson's Dominance Highlights Strategy Flaws
During Fremantle's recent match against Collingwood, the limitations of the dual-ruck approach were starkly exposed. In the first half, Jackson was largely deployed as a forward while Darcy handled ruck duties, resulting in Jackson struggling to impact the game. However, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Darcy suffered a concussion, forcing coach Justin Longmuir to assign sole ruck responsibilities to Jackson. Jackson then dominated the second half, amassing nine tackles and turning the stoppage numbers around, which Cornes highlighted as game-changing. "Has a player getting concussed ever actually helped the team? That's exactly what happened on the weekend," Cornes remarked, emphasising that Jackson's excellence in the ruck role was wasted when he was stationed at full forward.
Longmuir's Defence and Growing Pressure
Despite the criticism, Longmuir has previously defended the strategy, stating in 2024 that when both Darcy and Jackson played with continuity last year, it worked effectively. He dismissed external opinions as sensationalist. However, Cornes and Riewoldt argue that current form and team dynamics necessitate a change. Cornes suggested that Fremantle should trade Darcy for a third-round pick and potentially contribute to his wages to resolve the ongoing issue. He noted that while two-ruck setups can succeed, as seen at Hawthorn, Darcy's lack of mobility and fitness makes him unsuitable for such a role in modern football. Riewoldt added that Darcy appears unfit and urged the club to make a decisive call, stating, "They're a really good team, so don't hamstring yourself because once the hit-out's gone, he's useless around the ground."
Implications for Fremantle's Future
The debate underscores a broader strategic dilemma for Fremantle as they aim to maximise their potential. With Jackson widely regarded as one of the league's premier players when allowed to dominate in the ruck, continuing with the current setup could hinder team success. The call for a trade reflects growing impatience with a strategy that critics believe is no longer viable, pushing the Dockers towards a potential roster reshuffle to enhance their competitiveness.
