Adelaide’s ruckmen are unable to train properly in pairs due to the necessity of a third person.
Given each ruck contest requires two people, and someone to throw the ball up, ruckmen have been forced to instead focus on their fitness.
“You need two to compete and one to throw a ball, so if you’re training in twos you don’t get that opportunity,” ruck coach Matthew Clarke told AFC Media.
“There will need to be a steep upskill when we get going again.
“They are in good physical shape… just the skill that has been challenging.”
Adelaide’s ruck stocks have spread over the country during quarantine, with forward-rucks Billy Frampton heading back to Western Australian and Elliott Himmelberg home in Queensland.
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Reilly O’Brien and Kieran Strachan, both Victorian natives, have remained in South Australia.
“Everyone is spread out, that’s the nature of it,” Clarke said.
“The priority is to stay in as good a physical condition as they can.
“The reality is, there will be a two-three week lead in whenever footy resumes… we’ll load them up on craft and get them ready to go.”
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Despite the limitations, Clarke said all four big men were doing well during the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
“You have to look for the positives, the time spent with family, the ability to be able to still be physically active and stay fit,” he said.
“Everyone is hanging out for footy to return, but we need to be smart.”