Yes NOTE self.
Ruck Line set and forget. #1 for SC.
But most of us couldn’t resist the allure of quick cash.
The cash cow R2 strategy can work and has had successful years. It’s a highly risky strategy and more often than not depends to some extent on the top rucks underperforming. Although the key factor is that your discount rucks need to have high JS and their position in the side is not challenged. I am usually on board with the discount ruck strat (missed Witts (but went Nank R2 that year), and started Lycett, Naismith - keen on Preuss too) but this year I wasn’t convinced on JS of Meek and found Flynn risky at R2 coming off injury seasons (Mummy in the sheds, no Marshall R/F cover also).
I think the key when it goes pear shaped is to admit you are wrong and do whatever you can to fix it (don’t buy into short term fixes). If it means sideswapping a genuine premo into Gawn etc, I think that’s what needs to be done. My best move last season was Naismith to Gawn immediately in Round 2 after I could see the strategy wasn’t going to work (ie Gawn had recovered from a preseason injury and the fixture changes gave him an easy early draw).
I did Witts, Lycett, Naismith R2 and ROB/Marshall at R3 and Gawn F6 in his first season. Witts fine as Grundy hadn't established himself then.
Lycett was slow early which did cause some concerns. $240k player who made it to $400k.
Naismith I held onto till round 5 due to his 118 round 1, cash to be made, couldn't resist the allure of quick cash as Vicwood would say. Disaster. Didn't have the foresight of Bomber18.
That pain led to resisting rook rucks 2021, thinking Flynn will make money at R3 regardless and will catch up the momentum later. Has been better than I thought and gaining more ground this week maybe.
If I was in this situation and didn't have a Daniel to sacrifice, it would be Hickey, although that also looked the move at round 3. If Grundy or Gawn had underperformed round 2, it wouldn't have just been Neale traded out, seriously looked at Hickey!
Good luck Vicwood with whatever decision made.