NEW PORT Adelaide recruit Scott Lycett is looking forward to working with Paddy Ryder and "silencing the critics" who suggest teams cannot play two ruckmen in the same side.
Lycett joined Port Adelaide as a restricted free agent on a five-year deal after West Coast decided not to match the offer for the 26-year-old premiership player.
The ruckman played a vital role in this year's Grand Final for the Eagles, with he and Nathan Vardy doing a good job of limiting the effectiveness of Collingwood's All Australian big man Brodie Grundy.
Three weeks into life at his new club, Lycett declared the two ruckmen formula at Port Adelaide will work.
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"I'm looking forward to silencing the critics of people that say you can't play two ruckmen in the team," Lycett said on Monday.
"There was a time there where people thought you couldn't do it but in the Grand Final there were two ruckmen in both teams … so I'm looking forward to working with Paddy."
Lycett said the idea relied on both big men being able to play as a key target in attack, which is a possibility the South Australian would relish.
Lycett booted 10 goals in 25 matches for the Eagles, while Ryder nailed 10 majors in 16 games in an injury-affected season.
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"If you're playing two ruckmen in the team you've got to be able to contribute up there. It's about kicking goals, putting pressure on and making contests and stuff like that," Lycett said.
Even though Lycett has been back at Alberton (the ruckman played his junior football with the Magpies) for a short amount of time, he has already nominated midfielders Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper as standouts.
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"Everyone's been telling me that Sam Powell-Pepper has trimmed down and I've seen him do some things at training that has me excited to train with him," Lycett said.
"I'm sure if those two guys are having good seasons, that'll mean Port Adelaide will be going alright."
Power CEO Keith Thomas was on hand alongside Lycett to announce that Port Adelaide had entered into a partnership with STARFISH Developments.
The Port Adelaide community will feature 750 homes, a dockside piazza and boardwalk for potential residents.
