Position Ruck Discussion

[Spots]

of the high up top percent or top 1% in ranking over the years think its only the grundy Gawn combo or can Nic natty be worth it to combo with grundy yah or nah

If NicNat was on any other line and you had cover for when he misses a game, you'd definitely pick him. But on the ruck line if he misses, then your R3 comes into play... if it's Comben, who is your F/R in the forward line who subs across?

If a decent R3 with job security turns up that look like he will score ok then I think NicNat is definitely a viable option but otherwise its a nah from me....

 

[freowho]

If NicNat was on any other line and you had cover for when he misses a game, you'd definitely pick him. But on the ruck line if he misses, then your R3 comes into play... if it's Comben, who is your F/R in the forward line who subs across?

If a decent R3 with job security turns up that look like he will score ok then I think NicNat is definitely a viable option but otherwise its a nah from me....

You don't have to make that decision now if Comben is at R3. Deal with it if it happens. Ryder or a cheapie like Cameron could be a bandaid. Or it might not happen.

 

[Zimmer]

This in relation to Draper and Essendon cannot go uncommented on. I understand it is your "feeling" but I suggest it is hard to defend. The doggies, the giants, West Coast, Brisbane have (in my opinion) superior midfield groups by whatever statistical measure you wish to choose. Sharking is typically off the opponents tap, so how does Draper benefit from that? Perhaps even Richmond and the pies are deeper. I can see some logic in Draper as R3 but R2 because of Essendon's midfield - no thanks.

He was talking about Tim English and the Doggies midfield in that post Chels, not Draper and the Dons [/QUOTE]

Essendon are a very long way from having even a decent midfield, let alone the best. They play like a good midfield once every three or four weeks, but that's about it. Hopefully that changes, but with the post and preseason injuries already, I doubt it.

Draper does look like he'll be very good though once he gets back into it. As someone else said, probably a proposition for next year - or perhaps a late-season trade down for R3.

 

[Spots]

(sourced from yesterdays HSun article on the rucks)

Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)

$550,600

Let’s not talk about the Round 19 demotion to the SANFL after a 111-point performance against the Giants.

Ken Hinkley wanted to reward the form of young big man Peter Ladhams and persisted with Paddy Ryder

Anyway, I don’t want to get angry.

Ryder is no longer at Alberton, after being traded to St Kilda in October and, with Ladhams’ support, Lycett is the clear No. 1 ruckman at the Power.

And he’s a big SuperCoach sleeper in all formats, given Lycett averaged 33 more points per game when Ryder wasn’t in the same side.

The 27-year-old also has the high ceiling, as evident by scores of 180, 167 and 165 last year.

And he’s also consistent when given the opportunity.

From Round 11 onwards, Lycett averaged 121 points per game and posted SuperCoach tons in seven of his nine matches to finish the year.

 

[Ironhawk]

(sourced from yesterdays HSun article on the rucks)

Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)

$550,600

Let’s not talk about the Round 19 demotion to the SANFL after a 111-point performance against the Giants.

Ken Hinkley wanted to reward the form of young big man Peter Ladhams and persisted with Paddy Ryder

Anyway, I don’t want to get angry.

Ryder is no longer at Alberton, after being traded to St Kilda in October and, with Ladhams’ support, Lycett is the clear No. 1 ruckman at the Power.

And he’s a big SuperCoach sleeper in all formats, given Lycett averaged 33 more points per game when Ryder wasn’t in the same side.

The 27-year-old also has the high ceiling, as evident by scores of 180, 167 and 165 last year.

And he’s also consistent when given the opportunity.

From Round 11 onwards, Lycett averaged 121 points per game and posted SuperCoach tons in seven of his nine matches to finish the year.

I still prefer ROB as a non-Grawndy option, but they are decent numbers for Lycett. Wonder what his numbers are like when he shares the ruck with Ladhams? I can see that happening a bit this year.

Edit: Looks like the only time was R15 against the Dogs - Lycett 165, Ladhams 79.

 

[Spots]

I still prefer ROB as a non-Grawndy option, but they are decent numbers for Lycett. Wonder what his numbers are like when he shares the ruck with Ladhams? I can see that happening a bit this year.

Yeah you're probably right to assume his numbers will be affected similarly... I always thought he was a solid ruck at the eagles but was surprised by the numbers he put up last year

 

[TigerTime]

(sourced from yesterdays HSun article on the rucks)

Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)

$550,600

Let’s not talk about the Round 19 demotion to the SANFL after a 111-point performance against the Giants.

Ken Hinkley wanted to reward the form of young big man Peter Ladhams and persisted with Paddy Ryder

Anyway, I don’t want to get angry.

Ryder is no longer at Alberton, after being traded to St Kilda in October and, with Ladhams’ support, Lycett is the clear No. 1 ruckman at the Power.

And he’s a big SuperCoach sleeper in all formats, given Lycett averaged 33 more points per game when Ryder wasn’t in the same side.

The 27-year-old also has the high ceiling, as evident by scores of 180, 167 and 165 last year.

And he’s also consistent when given the opportunity.

From Round 11 onwards, Lycett averaged 121 points per game and posted SuperCoach tons in seven of his nine matches to finish the year.

I hadn't really considered him until now. They are some big numbers he put up in games where he got 30+ hitouts

 

[NT.Thunder]

Are there people here who think Grundy and Gawn won't be the #1&2 rucks for 2020?

I've no doubt ROB improves but does his price justify the risk of you still think his numbers won't match Gawndy?

 

[TigerTime]

Are there people here who think Grundy and Gawn won't be the #1&2 rucks for 2020?

I've no doubt ROB improves but does his price justify the risk of you still think his numbers won't match Gawndy?

Would think there would have to be an injury for Gawndy to not back up their supreme status. I get the feeling big Maxy's number may drop a little this year (not enough to drop out of top 2 rucks) but that's just a gut feel.
At this stage of the year I just like to keep an open mind and consider all options. At the moment I have Grundy and NicNat but that may very well revert back to Grawndy.

Are you considering starting a Ruck/Fwd such as Ryder or Ceglar, or will you cross that bridge as the season progresses?

 

[freowho]

Are there people here who think Grundy and Gawn won't be the #1&2 rucks for 2020?

I've no doubt ROB improves but does his price justify the risk of you still think his numbers won't match Gawndy?

I'll usually follow the path less travelled but just can't see an alternative. Grundy, Gawn, Comben locked in.

 

[PC]

Are there people here who think Grundy and Gawn won't be the #1&2 rucks for 2020?

I've no doubt ROB improves but does his price justify the risk of you still think his numbers won't match Gawndy?

I got this itch that Gawn will drop for some reason this year...nothing to back it up and he is in my team atm.

 

[NT.Thunder]

I got this itch that Gawn will drop for some reason this year...nothing to back it up and he is in my team atm.

Suggest you seek help from those with the same itch from last year.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Would think there would have to be an injury for Gawndy to not back up their supreme status. I get the feeling big Maxy's number may drop a little this year (not enough to drop out of top 2 rucks) but that's just a gut feel.
At this stage of the year I just like to keep an open mind and consider all options. At the moment I have Grundy and NicNat but that may very well revert back to Grawndy.

Are you considering starting a Ruck/Fwd such as Ryder or Ceglar, or will you cross that bridge as the season progresses?

I traditionally start a jabroni as R3 without any F/R link unless there is an obvious cash cow with the DPP. Cash is forefront on my mind early in the year and from then on I'll trade in flexibility.

 

[PC]

Suggest you seek help from those with the same itch from last year.

Yep, glad I came to the GG combo last year and didn't contemplate changing!

 

[BlueNwhiteHoops]

I traditionally start a jabroni as R3 without any F/R link unless there is an obvious cash cow with the DPP. Cash is forefront on my mind early in the year and from then on I'll trade in flexibility.

Do you start each year with a captains loop?

 

[NT.Thunder]

Do you start each year with a captains loop?

That's Jabroni at R3 if there is no real rookie ruck cash cow, otherwise no, I'd rather have an extra cash generator

 

[Darkie]

Re Lycett, it looks like he generated some of those late tons against pretty weak opponents.

I have a theory that fit, established rucks often do that when their opponents tire late on the season, or they’re playing against second or third class rucks because of injuries.

Some of Lycett’s late scores:

115 vs Marshall
111 vs Darcy
180 vs Stanley (and Fort)
165 vs English/Naughton
109 vs ROB
111 vs Simpson (and Mummy, 13 SC)
129 vs Jones

Even some of the better rucks he managed those scores against aren’t that established at AFL level.

 

[Agent 47]

Are there people here who think Grundy and Gawn won't be the #1&2 rucks for 2020?

I've no doubt ROB improves but does his price justify the risk of you still think his numbers won't match Gawndy?

For me it's not so much them being the top 2, it's more are they likely to back it up and be worth the money? If one of them puts up a still very respectable 120 but NN is going at 100 then what do we make of that? 240k for an extra 20 points isn't good business.

That extra cash can turn a forward rookie into Jack Steven for example.

 

[NT.Thunder]

For me it's not so much them being the top 2, it's more are they likely to back it up and be worth the money? If one of them puts up a still very respectable 120 but NN is going at 100 then what do we make of that? 240k for an extra 20 points isn't good business.

That extra cash can turn a forward rookie into Jack Steven for example.

But this is exactly what everyone said last year and then both Gawn and Grundy backed it up.
Now with an extra year of premium scoring we are questioning again whether they can both back it up.
It’s not Just 20 points, Its potentially 20ppg plus any additional C/VC bonus and I’d probably guess last season I would’ve used Grundy or Gawn for close to 90% of captains scores. Then it’s the trades and cash generation needed if they do indeed maintain a 130 average and then it’s cover needed when NN misses games.
I just feel this exact same argument comes up every preseason.
What if? Could’ve? Should’ve? It’s still a game of probability for me, very simple, make decisions based on what we know and not what we hope.
Just me though. It’s easier for me to justify and accept this decision even if it doesn’t work then to go the other way and it fail.

 

[Agent 47]

Trades and cash generation is a moot point, because you still have to do that elsewhere. Steven may be a keeper while NN needs to get upgraded vs Gawn keeper and forward rookie upgraded.

I'd say it's more likely than not that at least one of them drops to 120 at some point. Well done to them maintaining their average but it's gotta be bloody difficult to do it again for the whole season.

Gawn was averaging 118.6 at round 8 in 2019. Cripps or another mid premo can do that so the C loop can be filled by someone else. Iff Gawn repeats that and NN can stay on the park and average 100 in that time then it shouldn't be too difficult to upgrade him. In this scenario you don't lose points from the captaincy loop, and the cost to upgrade is far less than 240k.