By his own admission, Ben Hudson needs all the help he can get against West Coast on Sunday.
But the affable Brisbane Lions ruckman has wished rival Nic Naitanui luck in his quest to receive greater protection from umpires.
Hudson is the first to admit he faces a ruckman’s worst nightmare this weekend – taking on the AFL’s premier big men Naitanui and Dean Cox at a mammoth Patersons Stadium.
However, he still backed Naitanui’s stance – but it won’t change the way he plays on Sunday.
Naitanui had complained this week that he had been impeded by rival ruckmen this season and hoped umpires would start stamping out illegal tactics at centre bounces.
“Half his luck if it works,” Hudson said on Thursday.
“I’m old, and I can’t jump and I’ve just had a kid so hopefully the umpires can look after me as well.”
Hudson, 33, reckoned he couldn’t change his style even if he wanted.
“The great thing about Aussie Rules is it brings all different body types together,” he said.
“Whether it be (using your body) or using your pace and agility, that’s the great thing about the game and what people love so I don’t think that’s going to change.
“If blokes are breaking the rules and the umpires see it, they’re going to call it.
“I’ve tried in the past to make the umpires aware of a lot of things but I don’t think they listen so half his (Naitanui’s) luck.”
The former Bulldogs ruckman came out of retirement to help the Lions this season – and Brisbane are sure glad he did.
Hudson has stepped up after No.1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger went down with an Achilles problem in the third round.
And he held his own the last time he tangled with the Eagles, helping inspire Brisbane’s shock two-point win in round 10 despite West Coast dominating the hit-outs 75-29.
“They (West Coast) will go back on that game and probably change a few things so it’s a great challenge,” Hudson said.
“If we can match it with them it gives us confidence going forward.”
Despite his form this season, Hudson was undecided on extending his AFL career next year.
“I’ve got to get through this next six weeks. I’ve loved my time here and we’ll see how it goes at the end of the year,” he said.
