Position 2025: RUCK DISCUSSION

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Richmond
#61
Yep spot on, that’s how I used it and found it very helpful. Also when exploring VC and C options.
That's an area for me that could (will) do with some improvement as I'm below average in that dep't, tending to go off gut feel. Not something that I've thought of using, even though it's been there, thanks.
 
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Richmond
#62
TDK with Pittonet: 75.8 Avg from 6 games

TDK without Pittonet: 125.5 Avg from 9 games

I just don’t think you can fade that. Admittedly some of the matchups TDK had solo were fairly easy.
Definitely relies on Pittonet not playing, the difficult thing is actually knowing that, hey @Manikato1 The Blues early draw is mouth watering too, should help scoring for TDK around the ground where he excels.

Combine that with Xerri's average of 103 against opponents between rounds 2-7 then there's a case, in my mind anyway.
 
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Essendon
#63
Definitely relies on Pittonet not playing, the difficult thing is actually knowing that, hey @Manikato 1

Combine that with Xerri's average of 103 against opponents between rounds 2-7 then there's a case, in my mind anyway.
For me, the only thing that counters the above, is the fact TDK shares the same bye as Xerri. Otherwise he is an absolute lock, assuming no Pittonet
 

Darkie

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#64
TDK with Pittonet: 75.8 Avg from 6 games

TDK without Pittonet: 125.5 Avg from 9 games

I just don’t think you can fade that. Admittedly some of the matchups TDK had solo were fairly easy.
Your last point is a good and potentially very important one when looking at rucks:

- Presumably teams are more likely to play a maturing ruck like TDK as sole ruck when they come up against weaker opponents. Pittonet is more likely to have been selected (instead or as well as TDK) against established, high quality rucks. The sample may be inherently skewed.

- In the second half of the season, quality rucks who are fit often smash first choice rucks who are beaten up after a long season, and/or the second or third stringers who come in to replace them after they break down.
 
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#66
TDK solo vs opposition:

0. McInerney 64
1. Nankervis 118
3. Xerri 96
4. Jackson 100
11. Witts 131
12. Soldo 140
13. Goldstein 146
14. SDK/Blicavs 176
17. Briggs/Riccardi 128
19. Xerri 77

2 rounds with a decent split:

5. O'Brien 67 (57%)
18. English/Darcy 95 (45%)
 
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Carlton
#67
TDK with Pittonet: 75.8 Avg from 6 games

TDK without Pittonet: 125.5 Avg from 9 games

I just don’t think you can fade that. Admittedly some of the matchups TDK had solo were fairly easy.
That is the problem with TDK. I believe Carlton prefers TDK as the sole ruck and could easily start the season in that role and score very well. But not sure he can run out a full season and Pittonet is still a solid ruckman, can see Pittonet come in to lessen the load on TDK, especially against the bigger rucks and with a fairly easy draw this year even rested late in the year.

TDK is definitely a starting option as his scoring can be huge as solo ruck, but i fully expect a trade will be needed later in the year when he starts to tire and Pittonet becomes an issue. Expect Pittonet to still play 25% of the season.
 
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#69
N Bryan (ESS) and S De Koning (GEE), limited chatter about each (maybe for good reason). From what limited I’ve read Bryan has been sharing with Draper in match sim’s and Conway is injured and De Koning is training in ruck this preseason. Could be 2 decent mid pricer ruck options?

Any Essendon and/or Geelong fans can shed some light on each?
 
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#70
N Bryan (ESS) and S De Koning (GEE), limited chatter about each (maybe for good reason). From what limited I’ve read Bryan has been sharing with Draper in match sim’s and Conway is injured and De Koning is training in ruck this preseason. Could be 2 decent mid pricer ruck options?

Any Essendon and/or Geelong fans can shed some light on each?
Bryan is the future but ruck share roles are SC poison!
Personally I think the rucks are too important to get creative and take those kinds of risks. If SDK was the only ruck option he’s maybe useful as a defender position, but I think the premiums and mid price options are already too good to need that level of speculation.
 
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#71
SDK is DEF only and definitely worth a look if he's rucking full time. Would be a temporary play only if it's not long term and given how insanely bad he was last year in the role it's really hard to see it as a long term think. Could definitely score well in the role though for fantasy purposes.

I like Bryan as a player but with Goldy and Draper looming under a coach who has always prioritised win now at all costs over the future I find it hard to pick him either. Needs that clear runway for mine because he's always one poor game in a loss from the reserves under Scott who will absolutely play who he thinks gives him a chance to win a few games now.
 
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#72
Yeh I said he was close to one of the better marks. The part about #1 is if he was main ruck. Marshall is elite at accumulating marks but not a great mark compared to others. If all rucks played
SDK is DEF only and definitely worth a look if he's rucking full time. Would be a temporary play only if it's not long term and given how insanely bad he was last year in the role it's really hard to see it as a long term think. Could definitely score well in the role though for fantasy purposes.

I like Bryan as a player but with Goldy and Draper looming under a coach who has always prioritised win now at all costs over the future I find it hard to pick him either. Needs that clear runway for mine because he's always one poor game in a loss from the reserves under Scott who will absolutely play who he thinks gives him a chance to win a few games now.
SDK could also get Ruck status at Rds5/6 - whenever the first dpp rejigging occurs.
Could be an option to start in flex
 
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#75
N Bryan (ESS) and S De Koning (GEE), limited chatter about each (maybe for good reason). From what limited I’ve read Bryan has been sharing with Draper in match sim’s and Conway is injured and De Koning is training in ruck this preseason. Could be 2 decent mid pricer ruck options?

Any Essendon and/or Geelong fans can shed some light on each?
Find it hard to see how hes solo with our draw, Stanley played against all of OMac,Darcy/Jackson,Marshall and Gawn last year, SDK isnt ready to shoulder the load himself, even if he does I dont see how you could trust his scoring or Scott not turning to another Ruck structure at any moment.
 
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West Coast
#78
Looks in good nick but Ill believe it when I see it, just very sceptical of a Qatar trip right in the peak of pre season.
I’m happy to accept it was scheduled… they’d be doing comparative strength testing and the like to monitor progress. Will be hard to ignore but currently going Xerri/Gawn.
 
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Richmond
#80
Well, the Darcy news has put a little spanner in the works, was trying to fade Xerri because of his tough matchups and go against the crowd a little.

Looked at SDK because of his early start but Pittonet saying what he did stymied that option. Darcy's first 5 weeks are also juicy, so he was brought in. I'm not sure why the screw has been used, whether it's to help with syndesmosis or strengthen the ankle because of ligament damage, guess the timeline has been put back because the joint needs more time to strengthen once the screw is removed. It's not a soft tissue injury at least, but if he's not playing round 1 he's a 'no go'.

The $100k that was released by having him in the team now has to be found to replace him with Xerri, probably happier with that as I think it helps avoiding the ruck trade merry-go-round.
 
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