World Footy News

On the Sunday footy show, Game Day, North Melbourne’s star ruckman, Todd Goldstein, was asked about the difference it makes playing against the bigger and more mobile ruckmen in the AFL. Apart from pointing out players like Max Gawn (Melbourne) and Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) as examples of taller, influential ruckman he also responded to the impact of players like Mason Cox (Collingwood) and Jason Holmes (St Kilda) by suggesting there might be more on their way.

In fact, Goldstein suggested that with the successes and developments of the American players coming to the AFL, he hopes they give him five or six years so he can retire and not have to face the onslaught.

Whether he meant it or not, that’s a big call. But it is interesting to see if there is any evidence to support his fears. Maybe it is too early to tell…or maybe not. A look at the impact of Cox and Holmes at their clubs is interesting.

Collingwood has endured a tough season to date with indifferent form, key injuries and few highlights to build on. However, it does make Cox’s efforts stand out. So far he has kicked (7) goals this season. That places him third on the ‘Pies list behind Alex Fasolo (19) and Darcy Moore (11). That is better than novelty value. On Saturday night against the Brisbane Lions, Cox kicked a career high four goals in AFL company.

His hit-outs (37) is second only to Brodie Grundy (150). Clearly his value in the ruck is growing. On his overall impact at the club he is providing greater impact than other key forwards/ruckmen in Travis Cloke, Jesse White, Jarrod Witts and Cory Gault. That is quite a remarkable effort from someone so new to the game with only four AFL games to his credit.

Jason Holmes has had a quieter year in 2016. He has yet to add to his three senior games in 2015 and his returns in the VFL have been modest. His season highlight, however, was a 38 hit-out effort against Footscray. He also added 8 possessions and 6 tackles to have a significant impact on the game. This is in line with some of his best efforts in 2015, including an extraordinary 60 hit-outs in a game against Port Melbourne.

His record last year with the Sandringham Dragons saw him amass over 30 hitouts in eight games, gather more than 10 possessions on a number of occasions and averaged almost four tackles a game. There are plenty of AFL/VFL players who would like to have those statistics.

It remains to be seen if Holmes can return to his form of 2015 and break back into the Saints’ best 22, but he has already shown he can compete at this level.

There are others Americans playing VFL, such as Alex Aurrichio at the Northern Blues and Matt Korchek a Carlton rookie, and more have been targeted at the recent combine in Los Angeles in March. But Goldstein has just hinted that in the back of minds the American influx might just be starting.

Cox and Holmes are leading the way, and others are now likely to follow.