The mature-aged ruckman finally got his opportunity late in the season due to Rhys Stanley going down with injury. He impressed in his first three matches, averaging 27 hit outs and six tackles, which made Ryan Abbott, surprisingly, the best tackling Cat. Over the off season, he’s stacked on six kilos in an effort to improve his bodywork and push for senior selection. Abbott is currently down the pecking order for ruck duties and will bide his time in the VFL, with Stanley the number one choice when fit. If Abbott is called up to replace Stanley, he could be a good pickup from the free agent pool as a backup ruckman. Otherwise, don’t waste a pick.
Abbott sucks lemons
The mature-aged ruckman finally got his opportunity late in the season due to Rhys Stanley going down with injury. He impressed in his first three matches, averaging 27 hit outs and six tackles, which made Ryan Abbott, surprisingly, the best tackling Cat. Over the off season, he’s stacked on six kilos in an effort to improve his bodywork and push for senior selection. Abbott is currently down the pecking order for ruck duties and will bide his time in the VFL, with Stanley the number one choice when fit. If Abbott is called up to replace Stanley, he could be a good pickup from the free agent pool as a backup ruckman. Otherwise, don’t waste a pick.
Abbott still budding
Leg and back injuries interrupted Ryan Abbott's first listed preseason to the extent that he didn't reappear in the VFL until round 6 last year, and it took him until after the bye to hit full steam. His hit out counts varied wildly from sub-30s up to a high of 63, though he could usually manage double figures in disposals. Abbott is firmly behind Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley in the ruck depth chart at Geelong, though he could conceivably play in Smith's absence with Stanley staying forward. His lack of mobility around the ground and a distinct lack of goalkicking on his resume suggests he's not flexible enough to do anything else.
