Ruck Coverage Strategy

[Babylove]

Okay here is a question that has been rattling around in my mind that I was thought was worth discussing and that is whether it is worth going in with ruck coverage or not.

A lot people have been going with one of Ryder or Bellchambers (mostly Bellchambers) in the forward line and Cox/Read on the ruck bench to cover their playing rucks. But with both possibly missing a chunk of the season with this ASADA stuff (especially now that the Bombers have made it impossible for ASADA/AFL to backdate their suspensions without it looking like it's caving to threats) the question is do you:

a) go with another less fancied ruck/forward in your forward line
b) stick a player worth $250k+ on your ruck bench
c) get the best option forward available and deal with ruck injuries when they occur

The second part to this question is, if Ryder and/or Bellchambers are cleared to play from round 1, would it change your answer?

NB: I am assuming Bellchambers is caught up in the ASADA stuff, though I don't know his name has been confirmed given that all identities are supposed to be confidential. However given the circumstances surrounding Ryder's departure from the Bombers I think it is safe to assume he is indeed caught up in all of that.

 

[Braider]

I am not going with any ruck in the forward line.
The forward line has too much potential as it is.

Three Rucks are the limit in my starting side.

Cox, McLaren, Read, O'Brien, Durdin, Grimley, Wright, Hannath, Cordy, McKernan, Sinclair, Campbell, Bellchambers, Gawn, Blicavs, Hale, Clarke, Lycett & Ryder all have DPP, but if any of them are picked it's for R1, R2 or R3 only.

 

[Rowsus]

I will be buying the key, but not fitting the lock unless I need to.

ie, I will start with moderately reliable scorers at R1 and R2, I will be buying the key by sitting Read at R3, but won't fit the lock (Lycett is my preferred "brand" of lock for now), unless something happens to one of my R1 or R2. If it is a one or two week problem, I will trade a R/F into my forward line to fix the problem then, if it is a longer problem, I will trade the relevant R1/2 out.

 

[Babylove]

I will be buying the key, but not fitting the lock unless I need to.

ie, I will start with moderately reliable scorers at R1 and R2, I will be buying the key by sitting Read at R3, but won't fit the lock (Lycett is my preferred "brand" of lock for now), unless something happens to one of my R1 or R2. If it is a one or two week problem, I will trade a R/F into my forward line to fix the problem then, if it is a longer problem, I will trade the relevant R1/2 out.

I like that idea. I found today I liked my forward line a lot better once I stopped trying to fit an R/F into it.

 

[DaveyWarhol]

Seems that R2/R3 are the hardest spots to fill this year. NicNat seems to be doing everything right to be everyones R1, and I'll be watching NAB challenge to pick R2 between Lycett, Kreuzer, Leuenberger, Blicavs, Bellchambers and Max Gawn. R3 will probably be a non-player, and there are too many good options in the forward line to waste with a ruck insurance. You've gotta take a risk somewhere, and as of the first of February, this is where I think I'll be taking mine.

 

[Snowman]

Heres a scary stat to consider- In 2014, 57 ruckmen played in at least 1 game, of which only 1 played all 22(Jacobs). Of the 30 ruckmen expected to be in the 18 clubs best 22 in 2015, the average games played per season over the last 5 years is 13.4

 

[Brettthejett]

Heres a scary stat to consider- In 2014, 57 ruckmen played in at least 1 game, of which only 1 played all 22(Jacobs). Of the 30 ruckmen expected to be in the 18 clubs best 22 in 2015, the average games played per season over the last 5 years is 13.4

so we will need to use at least 2 trades on this line to keep those pesky doughnuts away unless you can pick a 22 game player which whoever does prob has best shot at winning

 

[Drew]

Currently have Jacobs, Luenburger, Cox and Ryder forward with DPP. Like this setup although it still has question marks over it, if Ryder gets banned i'll probably just drop him for another forward-only option. Also, NicNat could well force his way in for Luey. Don't like Bellchambers, both injury and SC scoring history too sketchy for mine, if Ryder falls by the wayside i may even go the no-cover risky option and hope the SC Gods like me this year!

 

[freowho]

At the moment I have NicNat, Lycett (R/F) and Read (R/F). I will try and ride them until the byes where Lycett will become F7 to provide cover for 2 lines and a premo will move in next to NicNat. Hopefuly Jacobs after his Rnd 11 bye. If it looks like a short term donut and it happens early then I can still grab Kreuz, Leuey or TBC before they go up. If it looks like a short term donut and it happens after Rnd 5 or 6 than there should be a couple of premo's who've already dropped in price. I'm really just riding my luck for 1 or 2 rounds where the midpricers have risen and the premo's haven't dropped.

 

[FirstTimer]

Hi Guys,
With these new ruck rules who is the better ruckman to take out of Goldy or Sandilands, have Nic Nac as my other ruck

 

[Mr Young]

At the moment I have NicNat, Lycett (R/F) and Read (R/F). I will try and ride them until the byes where Lycett will become F7 to provide cover for 2 lines and a premo will move in next to NicNat. Hopefuly Jacobs after his Rnd 11 bye. If it looks like a short term donut and it happens early then I can still grab Kreuz, Leuey or TBC before they go up. If it looks like a short term donut and it happens after Rnd 5 or 6 than there should be a couple of premo's who've already dropped in price. I'm really just riding my luck for 1 or 2 rounds where the midpricers have risen and the premo's haven't dropped.

I've been prodding Lycett with the ol' selection stick for while now. I like your approach.

 

[Courtesans]

This may become a moot point if the Swans give Nankervis a go early and he lives up to expectations. If not one really must have an R/F on the ruck bench.

 

[Rickwood]

Hi Guys,
With these new ruck rules who is the better ruckman to take out of Goldy or Sandilands, have Nic Nac as my other ruck

Way to hijack the thread! Goldy

This may become a moot point if the Swans give Nankervis a go early and he lives up to expectations. If not one really must have an R/F on the ruck bench.

+1
Nankervis was my R3 in my team 164 iterations ago, but fear the old boy from the mighty tigers may be in front of him

So strategy c, hoping that Nankervis helps me to option b (as I roll awake at night recalling that I picked Dan Currie 2 years in a row...... )

 

[Courtesans]

Key thread this one I reckon as we get closer to kick off..

 

[Obie]

I will be buying the key, but not fitting the lock unless I need to.

ie, I will start with moderately reliable scorers at R1 and R2, I will be buying the key by sitting Read at R3, but won't fit the lock (Lycett is my preferred "brand" of lock for now), unless something happens to one of my R1 or R2. If it is a one or two week problem, I will trade a R/F into my forward line to fix the problem then, if it is a longer problem, I will trade the relevant R1/2 out.

Like the sound of this and have a similar theory. Ryder will be a forward upgrade at some point. Hoping R1 and R2 can hold it together until then.

 

[darkshines]

*Bump*

Checking in on this one since a month ago. Since then what's occurred?
- Looking likely that Ryder and TBC will at least miss one season proper game, which rules them out from consideration surely?
- Lycett slightly underwhelmed
- Naitanui still MIA
- No other rookie ruck has jumped out from intra's or NAB so far

Is this making proposition b) in babylove's post attractive?? A Grundy as R3 means $220 odd grand lost straight up, but huge reduction in risk of donuts or needless trading. And the security of a playing R3 means perhaps more willing to take risks with R1 and R2 selection, which could free up cash to avoid midpricers elsewhere (like backline). And also no impact on fwd structure.

Just spitballing - interested to hear thoughts

 

[Lost In The Sky]

- Lycett slightly underwhelmed

Keep an eye on this weekends game against Port. Nic Nat most likely resting again and Sinclair out with a broken thumb so Lycett will have a chance to show everyone how good he is.

 

[Dynamo]

Keep an eye on this weekends game against Port. Nic Nat most likely resting again and Sinclair out with a broken thumb so Lycett will have a chance to show everyone how good he is.

He is my back up plan at F4 atm, dont really want him to do to well this weekend.

 

[darkshines]

Mmmm, maybe it could be false advertising? Lycett playing 80/20 ruck (as he will this week) would surely score much better than the 30/70 he'll play with NN?

I had Lycett all along but I'm wavering. More i see him more i think workhorse ruck like Lade/Lobbe - not a fwd/ruck

 

[Dynamo]

Mmmm, maybe it could be false advertising? Lycett playing 80/20 ruck (as he will this week) would surely score much better than the 30/70 he'll play with NN?

I had Lycett all along but I'm wavering. More i see him more i think workhorse ruck like Lade/Lobbe - not a fwd/ruck

From r13-23 he played 9 games for an average of 90.6 ppg, also played 3 games early in the season for a 39.3 ppg average.
Underpriced for me, no Cox and WC have shown that both of thier Rucks can average well.
Priced at 77 if he can go at 90 like the end of last year he can cover F6,7 for the year as well as Ruck if he needs to (all going to plan).