TOPIC:

Watching the WC v Port game got me thinking who is the best ruckman you have ever seen at your club. Paddy Ryder would have to go close at EF with strong competition from Paul Harding. We can include AFL clubs here in this discussion.

From my club Perth I would have to say Wayne Simms was probably the best Perth produced ruckman I've seen and he held his own against some great ruckmen in his era including Stephen Michael, Graham Moss and Ron Alexander. Rhett Baynes had a terrific last year at Perth before he went to Carlton but sadly his life took a tragic turn during his time at the Blues.

Wayne Simms was signed on a form four at North Melbourne and I got no doubt he would have been great in the VFL but unfortunately suffered a bad knee injury and it eventually ended his career. Merv McIntosh gets a lot of mention during the great 60's premiership era, Smokey and DF can shed some light.

I'll start a list.

Perth. Wayne Simms, Rhett Baynes, Merv McIntosh
EP. Graham "Polly" Farmer (no brainer)
WP. Mal Dempsey, Craig Nelson
EF. Paddy Ryder*, Paul Harding
SF. Stephen Michael (another no brainer)
Claremont. Graham Moss
Swans. Ron Boucher, Peter Sartori
Subiaco. Laurie Keen, Mike Fitzpatrick

Eagles. Dean Cox
Fremantle. Aaron Sandilands

*Ryder probably shouldn't be mentioned under best EF ruckman since he was drafted as a colt.

Andrew Purser,Ian Newman (who i think may of played for Perth too),Lance Durack and Brad Tunbridge without working the brain too much.

Subi: Outridge; Peter Burton; Luke Newick; Spider always tried had as well.

correction: we can't have Outridge as he played originally for the PFC. apologies.

Ti Em wrote: Andrew Purser,Ian Newman (who i think may of played for Perth too),Lance Durack and Brad Tunbridge without working the brain too much.

Yep Ti Em Andrew Purser went on to have a great VFL career with Footscray.

Nic Naitanui is the best tap ruckman we have seen for many a year.

Sandi is a far better tap ruckman then Nic Nat BH....be very surprised NN gets anywhere close to Sandi's record when their careers are done...around the ground tho NN easily pants Sandi....

Pretty sure Paddy played a few league games under Dunbar....Double D went on record to say he "started" Paddy,Kennedy and Swallows successful AFL careers

Harding was one of the best in my time watching EF....

Ever seen.... would have to be T.I...In the air on the ground just sensational...how tall was he tho?...6ft 2?...

I forgot one for Subi: Phil Scott

If on the condition we are choosing a fit version of all the blokes I have seen at WAFL level if I could choose just one its hands down Laurie Keene.

Jack Clark would have to close to the top of the list.