With Rocca out this currently in my view is the best solution. Reid and Dawes arn't good enough for seniors yet. Wood is definately our best hit out ruckman, Fraser and Bryan can both switch between forward and Ruck. Carlton will certainly have NO defenders that could contain any of our BIG guys. Last week what we REALLY missed was a senondry LARGE forward because Cloke can't take the entire load.

Reid with another year of development despite being critisized so much I think will become a great asset in our forward line and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes over as full forward in the 1s next year. With Rusling leading by his side out of the goal square. Reid is a good solution, also people need to remember last year he was the youngest player to come out of the draft so he will turn into an incredible full forward with time. Also Dawes appears to be turning into a Rocca type of player. Not doing too badly either. Reid and Dawes arn't ready for senior games this season though next year I think will certainly be both fighting for senior games.

Rocca is getting on in years, and in my view is comming to his end. Though I still believe that when fit is certainly in Collingwoods best 22. Having 2 big forward options against for example Geelong was the key to beating them. If we were against a geelong or hawthorn you would certainly want Rocca for his presence alone, though in the situation that he is missing from the side due to injury or fatigue having an extra tall to fill the gap that can capably play would bet the best alternative in my view.

Rocca is a big presence every game no matter what his level of fitness is. He will always provide a body and a contest whenever the ball is comming his way, provides leadership and does the little things off the ball that make him worth a spot in the 22 in my view. My idea of 3 ruckman would have proved an alternative for when Rocca is missing a game which he will have to do every once in a while to keep going at the top level. An example would be for example: when we played west coast, we should in my view have played Wood as he is our best hit out ruckman then we can put Bryan or Fraser to be a Rocca fill in up forward to prove as another dangerous tall marking option up forward to put more pressure on the opposition defence. But sure, Rocca is dangerous, this is just for the ocasions such as last saturday when we beat West Coast by 100 points Just as a fill in option for when Rocca is missing.

This 3 way rotation would mean that one can play forward, one in ruck and one benched. All full backs would have trouble containing anyone 2m+ and would wear any ruck combination down. I must agree, Rocca was missed as we didn't have another BIG presence up forward. It's great that Cloke is getting back into some good form, though another presence in Rocca's absence is desperately needed. Dawes and Reid probably arn't quite AFL ready, I have been watching them and not really dominating VFL level. Though in a year or 2 will certainly both be fighting for a spot in the 22. Wood standing at 204cm would be a big ask for any full back and same with Fraser standing at 202cm. With 3 in form ruckman perhaps the way to go. Though the reserves are having ruck troubles in getting a good ruckman so it will really leave a gab in the reserves. 3 ruckman will be the way of the future I recon once they extend the benches and increase to 6 on the bench

I agree completely Andrew
Ben Reid is and Chris Dawes are great young developing players who once Rocca has retired will be good enough to step straight in. As an immediate replacement for Rocca when he is being rested my thinking is the threesome in Fraser, Wood and Bryan. I must agree that Rocca still is best 22 for us, though next year if he continues playing I don't think he will and Ben Reid and or Sean Rusling will take over the Full Forward post.