Fox Footy gears up to honour the towering talents of Australian Rules Football with the inauguration of ‘Ruck Round’ in round 21, a development that has long been anticipated by Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of AFL.
The announcement means that football fans can look forward to a unique celebration on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, marking the importance of the game’s often overlooked, yet vital, ruck position.
Gillon McLachlan expressed his excitement about the occasion, stating,
“It’s an incredible day today. Fox Footy is finally recognising the most important position on the field. Round 21 is going to be renamed ‘Ruck Round’.”
The CEO has been advocating for such a tribute for quite some time, heralding it as a significant moment for the tallest men and women in the sport.
The round is poised to pay homage to ruck legends, such as Justin Madden and Simon Madden, and contemporary stars like Mason Cox and Lauren Pearce. In response to the announcement, Collingwood’s Mason Cox expressed his elation, stating,
“Being a ruck in the AFL is an absolute dream come true.”
However, ‘Ruck Round’ also sparked a healthy debate between Essendon legend Simon Madden and his brother Justin, a Carlton premiership champion. Simon advocated for a change in practice, suggesting the umpire could just throw the ball up instead of bouncing it. In contrast, Justin contended that bouncing should continue, albeit with less height.
Fox Footy’s inaugural Ruck Round aims to foster deeper appreciation amongst fans for these colossal figures who dominate the game, both in stature and influence.
