The stats are far from conclusive, but Essendon defender Cale Hooker sees no reason why the Bombers can’t play their best three ruckmen in the same side this year.
With the introduction of the sub rule in 2011 – and the prospect of the league shifting to a 2-2 interchange-sub mix next year – the general consensus is that most clubs will try and get away with just one specialist ruckman in their first-choice lineup.
But the Bombers enjoy an embarrassment of riches in versatile tall Patrick Ryder and ruck specialists David Hille and Tom Bellchambers – both of whom can rest in the forward line.
The three played in the same lineup nine times last year, with the Bombers losing six of those matches.
Their record was much better when they had a traditional two-ruckmen set-up, with eight wins, one draw and five losses.
Essendon start their 2012 campaign on Saturday against North Melbourne, another team with three quality talls in Todd Goldstein, Hamish McIntosh and key forward Drew Petrie, who is also a more than capable tap ruckman.
Hooker is likely to get the first crack at Petrie in a game pitting two evenly-matched sides at Etihad Stadium.
“If I get the job on Petrie I’ll look forward to it because he’s a good player and it’ll be a good challenge,” said Hooker.
“But you don’t want to focus too much on one person, however important he is, because the Kangaroos have got a good spread of players who can hurt you.”
That group includes Goldstein – who was an All-Australian nominee after a break-out 2011.
McIntosh is looking to re-establish himself after an injury-ravaged campaign.
Ryder and Hille are set to swap between the No.1 ruck slot and a key forward post for Essendon on Saturday.
But Hooker says the 202cm Bellchambers can also play in the same team if required.
“We’ve got three who could be in our best 22 so it will be interesting to see what both teams do,” he said.
“I think they definitely can play together.
“We did it last year with some success so I guess that’s something for the coaches to work out.
“There are always going to be injuries through the year so they’ll all get a good run.
“It’s certainly a good dilemma for the selectors to have.”