Marc Pittonet has been at the centre of a lightly-publicised but crucial battle behind the scenes at Carlton in recent years. Michael Voss wanted the club to move away from its stoppage-focused gameplan centred around Patrick Cripps roving to Pittonet to use his supreme ability to start scoring chains out of packs. Voss brought in Tom De Koning as a more mobile ruckman and unlocked a modern, sustainable style more around forcing turnovers and scoring from easier positions. For whatever reason, Cripps' contention that Pittonet needs to be lead ruck has won out... for now.
Marc Pittonet has been at the centre of a lightly-publicised but crucial battle behind the scenes at Carlton in recent years. Michael Voss wanted the club to move away from its stoppage-focused gameplan centred around Patrick Cripps roving to Pittonet to use his supreme ability to start scoring chains out of packs. Voss brought in Tom De Koning as a more mobile ruckman and unlocked a modern, sustainable style more around forcing turnovers and scoring from easier positions. For whatever reason, Cripps' contention that Pittonet needs to be lead ruck has won out... for now.
Pittonet is a safety net
After failing to break into the Hawks' senior lineup regularly, the Blues swooped on Marc Pittonet as the standout ruckman in the VFL. Hit outs were his strong suit with 11 of 15 games going past 30, while his tackle numbers were also substantial for a big man. Pittonet joins Carlton as ruck support for Matthew Kreuzer, who is ageing and brittle. When the opportunity arises, Tom De Koning will be circling as well so the risk of burning a handcuff pick on him if you draft Kreuzer isn't worth the reward in Pittonet's case.
Pittonet yet to escape hole
Turning out five times for the seniors across his first four seasons on the list, Marc Pittonet gathered 25 hit outs in both his 2018 appearances at the top level. The Hawk rates as elite at VFL level for contested possessions and centre clearances but is unsuited to a forward/ruck role, kicking four goals from 18 games. Pittonet is playing the waiting game as others are preferred in the ruck division. Entering his fifth season at Waverley Park, the ruckman still has time on his side to become the club’s number one option. He will be granted greater opportunity in the ones if an injury occurs.
Pittonet the younger
After making a shock debut in round 1 of 2016, Marc Pittonet played last season at VFL level despite an LTI to Jonathon Ceglar. The highlight came in his matchup with Todd Goldstein with 49 hit outs and ten tackles. Pittonet is known for his scrapping style, often becoming a danger to midfielders when the ball hits the turf. Now in his fourth season, expect Pittonet to continue learning at the lower grade as Ben McEvoy enters his ruck prime. In the case of an injury to McEvoy, Pittonet may be ahead of Ceglar in the pecking order, especially early in the season. However, he is unlikely to warrant selection given higher baseline expectations from rucks in 2018.
