RUCKMEN have always played a major role in football, with their skills often under scrutiny, while also overlooked by many.
Clearly a good ruckman can have a major impact on a contest, providing run out of the centre to his roving players.
In recent weeks North Gambier ruckman Brett Kennedy has earned raps from Tigers coach Winis Imbi.
Imbi has been pleased with the big man’s progress this year and he caught the eye of those at McLaughlin Park last weekend.
Travelling to Millicent to face the Saints, the Tigers were emphatic victors.
The Border Watch football correspondent Dave Turner noted Kennedy’s performance throughout the day.
Turner said “the visitors were dominating the centre clearances, led by ruckman Brett Kennedy who was giving his onballers – Fraser Marshall, Nick McInerney, Brock Egan and Brad Close – first use of the ball.”
Providing those four players with first use in any contest can be devastating, as was seen on Saturday.
Not only that, Kennedy faced various opponents, as the Saints desperately looked to stop his influence on the contest.
In the end it was of little consequence, as the Tigers simply ran rampant around the ground.
For his efforts this week Kennedy receives the K&S Fuels Player-of-the-Week award.
