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From the 'Moreland Community News'
Bruton welcomes new ruck rule.
COBURG Tigers' beanpole Nick Bruton has brought into the debate
surrounding the 10 metre centre circle ruck rule to be introduced
to the Victorian Football League this year.
Ruckmen now have to stand within the 10 metre circle before the umpire
bounces the ball.
In theory, it was a medical decision. It came about as the AFL looked
at ways to lessen the impact of knee-on-knee clashes in ruck duels.
Some VFL-ALF greats have vociferously disapproved of the new ruling,
suggesting it takes the skill out of the ruck contest and turns it
into a 'basketball tipoff'.
Bruton, 23, had his AFL career ruined by a posterior cruciate knee
injury due to the constant clashing of knees at centre bounces. He
acknowledges the new rule will help prolong the careers of ruckmen,
but believes the big men in the centre will have to change their
strategies.
"It should suit my build," the 200 centimetre ruckman said.
"But early on in my career my big thing was to run in and jump which
wouldn't suit my style. But it's better for the longevity of the
ruckmen."
Ruckmen soaring high and bodies clashing mid-air is a component likely
to be lost to football.
Bruton, of Sunbury, had a wreteched run of knee problems during his
time a the Western Bulldogs.
He played two AFL games in 2003, against Adelaide and the Kangaroos,
but was constantly hampered by a dodgy knee.
Former Richmond recruiting manager Greg Beck liked what he saw in
Bruton and invited him to use the Coburg Tigers rehabilitation
facilities when he was delisted by the Bulldogs at the end of 2003
and had a knee reconstruction in January 2004.
Coburg coach David Flood has been delighted with the enthusiasm his
new recruit brings to training sessions.
"I've been more than impressed with his leadership and he's been
working hard on the training track."
Bruton will share ruck duties with 2004 best-and-fairest Ryan O'Connor,
who will spend more time as a key forward.
Richmond big men Thent Knobel and Greg Stafford are likely to filter
back into the VFL team at some stage, so Flood will have plenty of
depth in the ruck department.
Bruton gave a glowing appraisal of the VFL system, suggesting that by
playing in the VFL, there was a chance to impress AFL recruiting
officers.
But the Sunbury Secondary College graduate will not hold his breath --
taking the Tigers to the top this year is his only goal.
With the experience of working with AFL Brownlow medalists Gary Dempsey
and Scott Wynd, and studying the the work ethic of Chris Grant, Bruton
will pass his knowledge to the young Tiger Cubs.
"I was one of the kids at 21 at the Western Bulldogs.
"At Coburg ... I felt old... you've got to show the way." he said.
Bruton is undertaking a course in human movement at Victoria University
in Footscray and is conducting various sports gamps.
* Coburg Tigers will play Springvale in a practice match at Moorabbin on
Friday night; first bounce is at 6.
* The club has announced that its annual general meeting will take place
on March 21 in the City Oval social lub at 7.30pm.
