Collingwood vice-captain Jeremy Howe is confident in the club’s ruck stocks in 2023.
While Brodie Grundy departed in the off-season, Howe is certain that Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox, Aiden Begg and new addition Oscar Steene can carry the load.
Cameron recently went down with a minor hamstring injury, but Howe says the ruck situation at the AIA Centre is in a good place after the quartet got the best out of each other across the pre-season.
“I think to the big boys’ credit, our ruckmen have been fit and healthy all pre-season and really pushing each other,” Howe told SEN Sportsday.
“Unfortunately, Darcy had a minor mishap last week but by the looks of it he won’t miss much footy.
“For me personally, I don’t think it’s a great concern for us, we’ll back those boys in and credit to them.”
While Cameron is expected to be fit for Round 1, Howe says Cox has been amazing at centre bounces and could play the number one ruck role.
Given Cox’s prowess in the middle and Cameron becoming more of a “physical beast” around the ground, Howe sees the ruck duo playing together and making the team better as they did in 2022.
“Coxy has been amazing at the centre bounce, he’s a great centre bounce ruckman,” Howe said.
“Darcy has put on some serious size he’s looking like a physical beast which will help us around the ground.
“For me personally, it’s not a major concern and obviously when they’re both fit and healthy they’re going to certainly make us better.”
Collingwood open their 2023 season with a Round 1 clash against Geelong at the MCG on March 17.