Rucks Discussion

[IDIG]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-12-16/dawsons-christmas-bonus

Great news!!!

Good info in that article. Looks like both are on track for round 1 which makes choosing one over the other a little tougher.

"Short-term goal is to get through the rest of this pre-season without injury," he said.

"That's the main goal for now.

"Then I'd really like to play round one. I haven’t played a round one game, in the AFL or VFL, for three years.

"Just to be able to hit a season after a full pre-season would be great, and then just take it from there.

"To play consistent AFL footy each week would be really good for me, and that's obviously going to be the goal for me this year."

Simpson has been doing a lot of ruckwork against Hamish McIntosh during the training sessions at Co*** Harbour.

Both of them are on track to be available to play in the NAB Cup.

"It's funny because last year we had five ruckmen and then all of sudden we had to scrape together one for round one," Simpson said.

"We had to get Blitz (Mark Blicavs) to move up because we were all injured.

"But it's good that Hamish is up and about and I'm up and about, and we can actually get a bit competitive.

Won't be surprised to see 1-2-1 strategy if some rookies don't appear in NAB, or Currie. Alot of cash on bench though.

With Dixon having an interrupted preseason, it's very possible I guess. Or it might turn coaches off Sandi altogether for 2 durable starting rucks.

Quick question: anyone know when Jon Griffin is due to return from injury? This will influence my decision around Sandi.

Looks like round 1 is every chance. From a couple of days ago -

The 27-year-old is expected to be fit for the start of the 2014 campaign, and Fremantle are confident he'll make a full recovery.

"Rehab is going really well and I am ticking all the boxes to make sure my body is 100 per cent," Griffin said.

"I'm pushing for round one. I have all the support of the physios and strength and conditioning coaches. I just can't wait to get out there and play for Freo again."
http://tenplay.com.au/news/2013/12/13/freo-sign-griffin-suban-to-new-afl-deals

 

[Courtesans]

A point in another thread posed a question for me - who are the most likely ruck rookies? The Swan rookies possibly?

Rory Lobb GWS $117,300 looks interesting. Played WAFL Reserves and Seniors in 2013. 206cm.

 

[av1jme]

You would think though Mumford and Giles are 1 & 2

Rory Lobb GWS $117,300 looks interesting. Played WAFL Reserves and Seniors in 2013. 206cm.

 

[broges]

Thanks IDIG for above information about griffin. Really appreciate that. Will be interesting decision about sandilands.

 

[Courtesans]

Don't really like it, but linking Thurlow and Dixon seems a reasonable option, particularly if one is considering risking a second ruck such as Sandilands or McIntosh. For me, leaves Franklin on the outer. Harkening back to what Dimmawitts said of the importance of DPP in his side... Might try that and see how it sits..

 

[anfa18]

Which player is going to be the clubs number one ruckman? Some are probably more obvious than others but just looking for some clarification.

Brisbane - Berger or West
Carlton - Warnock or Kreuzer
Collingwood - Hudson or Grundy
Essendon - Bellchambers or Ryder
GWS - Mumford or Giles
St. Kilda - Hickey or Longer

 

[Nk29]

Which player is going to be the clubs number one ruckman? Some are probably more obvious than others but just looking for some clarification.

Brisbane - Berger or West
Carlton - Warnock or Kreuzer
Collingwood - Hudson or Grundy
Essendon - Bellchambers or Ryder
GWS - Mumford or Giles
St. Kilda - Hickey or Longer

West is rubbish. Can't do anything so Berger by a country mile.

 

[Bontempele]

Which player is going to be the clubs number one ruckman? Some are probably more obvious than others but just looking for some clarification.

Brisbane - Berger or West
Carlton - Warnock or Kreuzer
Collingwood - Hudson or Grundy
Essendon - Bellchambers or Ryder
GWS - Mumford or Giles
St. Kilda - Hickey or Longer

Brisbane- Berger, West might not even play.
Carlton- Warnock if he plays, but i think it will be Kreuzer + Rowe.
Collingwood- Grundy, Hudson wont play.
Esseondon- Ryder, Bellchanbers showed a lot up forward last year.
GWS- Mummy, not sure Giles will even play given GWS' key forward stocks. (Boyd/Patton could pinch hit in the ruck)
St Kilda- Tricky one, i think just a mixture (ruining either's fantasy value). Last year Mcevoy's drop off was almost purely because Hickey rucked for half of every game.

 

[PC]

St Kilda- Tricky one, i think just a mixture (ruining either's fantasy value). Last year Mcevoy's drop off was almost purely because Hickey rucked for half of every game.

Are either better suited up forward? Kosi is gone now, so there is probably a role for someone to play (especially if NRoo falls apart).

 

[av1jme]

There's Rhys Stanley

Are either better suited up forward? Kosi is gone now, so there is probably a role for someone to play (especially if NRoo falls apart).

 

[Courtesans]

I am certainly finding a ruck combination that feels and sits well difficult at the minute.

 

[Jandrews]

I am certainly finding a ruck combination that feels and sits well difficult at the minute.

I feel you mate, this is killing me. So many discounted players but gee do the proven premiums look good too. Im thinking of just dumping a 96k nothing at r4 to generate some dosh, are there any DPP bottom price players?

 

[PC]

Will need to pay more than $96k Jandrews - the cheapest ruck is $102,400.

Ben Brown (Roos) is a R/F at $117,300
Fraser Thurlow (Bombers) is a R/F at $118,400
Michael Apeness (Freo) is a R/F at $137,300

Slim pickins...

 

[Jandrews]

Will need to pay m
ore than $96k Jandrews - the cheapest ruck is $102,400.

Ben Brown (Roos) is a R/F at $117,300
Fraser Thurlow (Bombers) is a R/F at $118,400
Michael Apeness (Freo) is a R/F at $137,300
Slim pickins...

Cheers, i've heard a few murmurs about Thurlow. Seems like the pick of the lot, and if he can get a few games id be happy to fork out the extra 22k. Does anyone know a thing or two about Thurlow or the rest of them?

 

[MovingUpward]

I am certainly finding a ruck combination that feels and sits well difficult at the minute.

I always seem to struggle with ruck combos. Tough spots to fill and reduced DPP options this year making it tough. I'm thinking of adopting a new strategy this year...Fingers over the eyes and random mouse clicks. Surely can't go wrong???

 

[Jandrews]

I always seem to struggle with ruck combos. Tough spots to fill and reduced DPP options this year making it tough. I'm thinking of adopting a new strategy this year...Fingers over the eyes and random mouse clicks. Surely can't go wrong???

I think that could work, cant really second guess yourself and tinker that way

 

[Goodie's Guns]

Which player is going to be the clubs number one ruckman? Some are probably more obvious than others but just looking for some clarification.

Brisbane - Berger or West
Carlton - Warnock or Kreuzer
Collingwood - Hudson or Grundy
Essendon - Bellchambers or Ryder
GWS - Mumford or Giles
St. Kilda - Hickey or Longer

Thats what I reckon at least, Ryder to play forward more is my thinking with the Bombers. Grundy, Berger are obvious, Kreuzer just in my book. Honestly I got no idea with the Saints, didn't see enough games to make any judgement on Hickey, my thinking is they will play both but thats just a presumption.

 

[MovingUpward]

Thats what I reckon at least, Ryder to play forward more is my thinking with the Bombers. Grundy, Berger are obvious, Kreuzer just in my book. Honestly I got no idea with the Saints, didn't see enough games to make any judgement on Hickey, my thinking is they will play both but thats just a presumption.

Reasonable assessment by you both in my view. From Bombers perspective and having watched more of their games than others, Bellchambers took a baby step forward during the season just past. Imagine Ryder will do his fair share on the ball, but Tommy will do the bulk of the ruck duties (all things being equal - injuries/ASADA infraction notices/suspension aside)

 

[Impromptu]

St. Kilda - Hickey or Longer

St Kilda- Tricky one, i think just a mixture (ruining either's fantasy value). Last year Mcevoy's drop off was almost purely because Hickey rucked for half of every game.

Are either better suited up forward? Kosi is gone now, so there is probably a role for someone to play (especially if NRoo falls apart).

There's Rhys Stanley

Honestly I got no idea with the Saints, didn't see enough games to make any judgement on Hickey, my thinking is they will play both but thats just a presumption.

I've actually been looking at the Saints Rucks and was considering both and pay an extra premium on cheaper ruckman.

Longer ($279,100)
Hickey ($313,300)

McEvoy and Kosi out (who sometimes pinch hits) makes this combo enticing, but if they share the ruckload and score 50 each, would make it useless from SC perspective. I wonder where Stanley is at, but will be looking at the Saints Rucks.

 

[Mame]

Any word on how McIntosh is travelling? Would have to be brave to pick McIntosh and Sandy. I really like Lobbe for a breakout contender. Not sure how Grundy will go in only his second year, after half a season playing at that.