Position 2022: Ruck Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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Positive is Ryder is the better CB ruck, so strong likelihood that he starts significantly more in the middle than Marshall does.
I actually think Marshall is a very good chance of getting FWD if Ryder stays fit and he's at least an outside chance of pushing towards the 110+ range if he doesn't, he does make some sense in other words as a starting choice but there are a lot of potential scenarios where he averages suboptimal ruck scores and doesn't get FWD status.
I actually think Marshall is a very good chance of getting FWD if Ryder stays fit and he's at least an outside chance of pushing towards the 110+ range if he doesn't, he does make some sense in other words as a starting choice but there are a lot of potential scenarios where he averages suboptimal ruck scores and doesn't get FWD status.
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He played as a R/F last year and SC decided not to give him DPP to start this year, so I have no idea why anyone would think he's anything more than an outside chance of getting it mid season.
They kinda shot themselves in the foot with this new DPP rule. They either a) assign DPP fairly across the board based on % time spent in each position and we end up with everyone having the same boring sides with Marshall, Fyfe, Danger, Petracca etc. in our forward lines. Or b) they pick and choose who gets DPP, don't give it to anyone who becomes a lock in 99% of teams to encourage team variety. Which just ends up annoying a heap of owners who are watching their player as a genuine forward each week and never get DPP.
They kinda shot themselves in the foot with this new DPP rule. They either a) assign DPP fairly across the board based on % time spent in each position and we end up with everyone having the same boring sides with Marshall, Fyfe, Danger, Petracca etc. in our forward lines. Or b) they pick and choose who gets DPP, don't give it to anyone who becomes a lock in 99% of teams to encourage team variety. Which just ends up annoying a heap of owners who are watching their player as a genuine forward each week and never get DPP.
KFC SuperCoach 2022: The best premium options and must-have stars on every line
Will Luke Jackson’s rise affect Max Gawn? Can Brodie Grundy bounce back? Are there any other legitimate premiums? See the verdict on the SuperCoach ruck dilemmas.
Join me every weekday – I might give you a couple off - for an in-depth analysis on every position and price range for 2022.
Today, it’s premium ruckmen. Is there a new group of challengers to the ruck crown?
Here’s my take.
TOP 10 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Max Gawn (Melb) $657,400
2021 Average: 120.8
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
The Melbourne skipper was the No. 1 big man in KFC SuperCoach for the second year running, after recording the only 120-point average in the ruck. Since 2019, Gawn has posted 35 scores of 120 or more, the equal-most of any player in the competition. It was a significant drop from the career-best 140 of 2020, though, and scaling in the shortened quarters played a part there. But emerging star Luke Jackson also played a part last season, as he lined up in 21 games and spent more time in the ruck in this third year. How Jackson’s increasing role affects Gawn in 2022 is the big KFC SuperCoach ruck question of the summer. In the grand final, Gawn (95 points) attended 48 ruck contests, and Jackson (113 points) 37. Gawn’s hitout-win percentage was 20 per cent higher but, as a duo, they were so effective all over the ground - and that’s the concern for KFC SuperCoaches.
Phantom’s verdict: We’re not talking a huge fall – not even close. But could it be enough for, say, Brodie Grundy to go back past him? Maybe.
Sean Darcy (Fre) $642,600
2021 Average: 118
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 18
If his huge finish to last season is anything to go by, this guy could go past both and become the new ruck king in 2022. After finding his feet in his fifth season, the 23-year-old averaged 125 KFC SuperCoach points from Round 8 onwards. And he battled a number of injury issues along the way, too, some which forced him from the ground for long periods. The remarkable run of form included six scores of 140 or more, with Darcy posting 193 against the Blues in Round 16 and 183 a week later in the win over the Hawks. In Darcy’s first 62 matches, he’s averaged 95 KFC SuperCoach points per 100 minutes. At the same stage of their careers, Gawn averaged 94 and Grundy 87. Last year, Darcy also eclipsed Gawn and Grundy for hitout-to-advantage percentage, clearances, contested possessions and score involvements. But those 62 games have come across five seasons for Darcy – unfortunately the injury issues aren’t a new thing. He may have played 21 consecutive matches in 2021, and played through some pain, but he has missed 18 games through injury since he was drafted in 2016.
Phantom’s verdict: He’s in my team at the moment, the upside is too hard to pass up. But the injury history isn’t easy to overlook.
Nic Naitanui (WC) $627,400
2021 Average: 115.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 51
As Naitanui proves, however, injury history isn’t everything. The star Eagle, who managed just 18 appearances between 2017 and 2019, has missed just one game in the past two years, and that was through back soreness. It’s allowed Naitanui to really solidify himself as a premium KFC SuperCoach ruckman. The high scoring came in spurts previously, but the 31-year-old averaged 110 points per game in 2020 and posted 19 KFC SuperCoach tons last season, including 16 in a row to finish the year. His disposal average may only be the seventh-highest of all ruckman, but Naitanui ranked first for hitouts-to-advantage, clearances, contested possessions and score assists of all big men to play at least five games.
Phantom’s verdict: There’s not a lot of love for Naitanui, who is in just 4.2 per cent of teams as of February 3. But his monopoly on the No. 1 ruck role at the Eagles, and new-found SuperCoach consistency, make him a genuine point-of-difference option.
Brodie Grundy (Coll) $627,100
2021 Average: 115.2
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 2
Along with Gawn, Grundy has recorded the most KFC SuperCoach scores of 120 or more since 2019. Despite dropping another five points of his average, like he did in 2020, the Collingwood big man still reached the 120-point mark on 10 occasions last year. He missed two games with a neck injury before the bye but still averaged 124 through 17 rounds. But four scores in the 80s in the final six weeks saw that figure fall dramatically, and cause frustration in the KFC SuperCoach community. There could be more frustration this year, too, but it might be with those who overlook the value in Grundy. He’s trimmed down over summer in order to reclaim his best form - and his best is far better than the 115-point average he’s priced at.
Phantom’s verdict: Got to take all the value you can in KFC SuperCoach and there is plenty in the guy who’s finished on top before.
Tom Hickey (Syd) $562,000
2021 Average: 103.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
On last year’s scoring, there’s a clear top four, and then Hickey. No offence, Tom, but 13 points separates the fourth and fifth most-expensive KFC SuperCoach ruckmen to start 2022. And, as good as he was for the Swans, posting 12 scores of 100 or more, he’s not going to close the gap this year, especially with the arrival of Peter Ladhams.
Phantom’s verdict: Only consider him KFC SuperCoach Draft – you may get him late.
THE VALUE
Oscar McInerney (Bris) $509,600
2021 Average: 93. 6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 3
He’s only in three per cent of teams, but McInerney is one of the few options outside of the big four to consider this year. My good friend, SuperCoach Hipster, has been talking about him all summer and he might be on to something. The Lions big man averaged 93.6 in 2021, and he’s priced accordingly. But, as his huge finish to the year proves, McInerney has the potential to far exceed that number. Including finals, the 27-year-old, who now has no pressing competition for the No. 1 ruck spot at Brisbane, posted scores of 115, 114, 106, 91, 148, 113, 120, 131, 96, 127 and 82 to finish the year. That’s a 11-round average of 113. Over the season, McInerney’s disposal (13.1) and hitout-to-advantage (9.4) numbers were a step below the top group. But an increase - 16 and 11 – was the catalyst to the impressive form. After debuting in 2018, McInerney has increased his average every year. He went from 58 to 68 in 2019, then to 82 in 2020. Last season’s big finish saw it jump to 94. Can he do similar in 2022?
Phantom’s verdict: Ruckman always take longer so a true premium breakout is a strong chance for McInerney this year. But, if you’re not going with the two absolute big guns in the ruck, are you better off considering the rookie ruck strategy? That’s another big question we’ll seek the answer to as the pre-season rolls on.
Rowan Marshall (StK) $536,800
2021 Average: 98.6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 10
After putting an injury-interrupted start to the year behind him, Marshall reminded everyone what a KFC SuperCoach scoring powerhouse he is. In his final seven games, the St Kilda big man averaged 114 points. And the Saints were still being cautious with his game-time early in that stretch, and Paddy Ryder played in the first three matches. As a ruck-only, though, with such quality at the top-end of the position, his selection isn’t as straight forward as it was when he was a dual-position forward. Marshall is still effective inside-50 for the Saints and Ryder is still a strong tap ruckman, so, although he averaged 110 in a breakout 2019, can he match it with the big boys in 2022?
Phantom’s verdict: A fully-fit Marshall - with Ryder only there as a support – could go close, absolutely. But is that what we will get?
Will Luke Jackson’s rise affect Max Gawn? Can Brodie Grundy bounce back? Are there any other legitimate premiums? See the verdict on the SuperCoach ruck dilemmas.
Join me every weekday – I might give you a couple off - for an in-depth analysis on every position and price range for 2022.
Today, it’s premium ruckmen. Is there a new group of challengers to the ruck crown?
Here’s my take.
TOP 10 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Max Gawn (Melb) $657,400
2021 Average: 120.8
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
The Melbourne skipper was the No. 1 big man in KFC SuperCoach for the second year running, after recording the only 120-point average in the ruck. Since 2019, Gawn has posted 35 scores of 120 or more, the equal-most of any player in the competition. It was a significant drop from the career-best 140 of 2020, though, and scaling in the shortened quarters played a part there. But emerging star Luke Jackson also played a part last season, as he lined up in 21 games and spent more time in the ruck in this third year. How Jackson’s increasing role affects Gawn in 2022 is the big KFC SuperCoach ruck question of the summer. In the grand final, Gawn (95 points) attended 48 ruck contests, and Jackson (113 points) 37. Gawn’s hitout-win percentage was 20 per cent higher but, as a duo, they were so effective all over the ground - and that’s the concern for KFC SuperCoaches.
Phantom’s verdict: We’re not talking a huge fall – not even close. But could it be enough for, say, Brodie Grundy to go back past him? Maybe.
Sean Darcy (Fre) $642,600
2021 Average: 118
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 18
If his huge finish to last season is anything to go by, this guy could go past both and become the new ruck king in 2022. After finding his feet in his fifth season, the 23-year-old averaged 125 KFC SuperCoach points from Round 8 onwards. And he battled a number of injury issues along the way, too, some which forced him from the ground for long periods. The remarkable run of form included six scores of 140 or more, with Darcy posting 193 against the Blues in Round 16 and 183 a week later in the win over the Hawks. In Darcy’s first 62 matches, he’s averaged 95 KFC SuperCoach points per 100 minutes. At the same stage of their careers, Gawn averaged 94 and Grundy 87. Last year, Darcy also eclipsed Gawn and Grundy for hitout-to-advantage percentage, clearances, contested possessions and score involvements. But those 62 games have come across five seasons for Darcy – unfortunately the injury issues aren’t a new thing. He may have played 21 consecutive matches in 2021, and played through some pain, but he has missed 18 games through injury since he was drafted in 2016.
Phantom’s verdict: He’s in my team at the moment, the upside is too hard to pass up. But the injury history isn’t easy to overlook.
Nic Naitanui (WC) $627,400
2021 Average: 115.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 51
As Naitanui proves, however, injury history isn’t everything. The star Eagle, who managed just 18 appearances between 2017 and 2019, has missed just one game in the past two years, and that was through back soreness. It’s allowed Naitanui to really solidify himself as a premium KFC SuperCoach ruckman. The high scoring came in spurts previously, but the 31-year-old averaged 110 points per game in 2020 and posted 19 KFC SuperCoach tons last season, including 16 in a row to finish the year. His disposal average may only be the seventh-highest of all ruckman, but Naitanui ranked first for hitouts-to-advantage, clearances, contested possessions and score assists of all big men to play at least five games.
Phantom’s verdict: There’s not a lot of love for Naitanui, who is in just 4.2 per cent of teams as of February 3. But his monopoly on the No. 1 ruck role at the Eagles, and new-found SuperCoach consistency, make him a genuine point-of-difference option.
Brodie Grundy (Coll) $627,100
2021 Average: 115.2
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 2
Along with Gawn, Grundy has recorded the most KFC SuperCoach scores of 120 or more since 2019. Despite dropping another five points of his average, like he did in 2020, the Collingwood big man still reached the 120-point mark on 10 occasions last year. He missed two games with a neck injury before the bye but still averaged 124 through 17 rounds. But four scores in the 80s in the final six weeks saw that figure fall dramatically, and cause frustration in the KFC SuperCoach community. There could be more frustration this year, too, but it might be with those who overlook the value in Grundy. He’s trimmed down over summer in order to reclaim his best form - and his best is far better than the 115-point average he’s priced at.
Phantom’s verdict: Got to take all the value you can in KFC SuperCoach and there is plenty in the guy who’s finished on top before.
Tom Hickey (Syd) $562,000
2021 Average: 103.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
On last year’s scoring, there’s a clear top four, and then Hickey. No offence, Tom, but 13 points separates the fourth and fifth most-expensive KFC SuperCoach ruckmen to start 2022. And, as good as he was for the Swans, posting 12 scores of 100 or more, he’s not going to close the gap this year, especially with the arrival of Peter Ladhams.
Phantom’s verdict: Only consider him KFC SuperCoach Draft – you may get him late.
THE VALUE
Oscar McInerney (Bris) $509,600
2021 Average: 93. 6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 3
He’s only in three per cent of teams, but McInerney is one of the few options outside of the big four to consider this year. My good friend, SuperCoach Hipster, has been talking about him all summer and he might be on to something. The Lions big man averaged 93.6 in 2021, and he’s priced accordingly. But, as his huge finish to the year proves, McInerney has the potential to far exceed that number. Including finals, the 27-year-old, who now has no pressing competition for the No. 1 ruck spot at Brisbane, posted scores of 115, 114, 106, 91, 148, 113, 120, 131, 96, 127 and 82 to finish the year. That’s a 11-round average of 113. Over the season, McInerney’s disposal (13.1) and hitout-to-advantage (9.4) numbers were a step below the top group. But an increase - 16 and 11 – was the catalyst to the impressive form. After debuting in 2018, McInerney has increased his average every year. He went from 58 to 68 in 2019, then to 82 in 2020. Last season’s big finish saw it jump to 94. Can he do similar in 2022?
Phantom’s verdict: Ruckman always take longer so a true premium breakout is a strong chance for McInerney this year. But, if you’re not going with the two absolute big guns in the ruck, are you better off considering the rookie ruck strategy? That’s another big question we’ll seek the answer to as the pre-season rolls on.
Rowan Marshall (StK) $536,800
2021 Average: 98.6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 10
After putting an injury-interrupted start to the year behind him, Marshall reminded everyone what a KFC SuperCoach scoring powerhouse he is. In his final seven games, the St Kilda big man averaged 114 points. And the Saints were still being cautious with his game-time early in that stretch, and Paddy Ryder played in the first three matches. As a ruck-only, though, with such quality at the top-end of the position, his selection isn’t as straight forward as it was when he was a dual-position forward. Marshall is still effective inside-50 for the Saints and Ryder is still a strong tap ruckman, so, although he averaged 110 in a breakout 2019, can he match it with the big boys in 2022?
Phantom’s verdict: A fully-fit Marshall - with Ryder only there as a support – could go close, absolutely. But is that what we will get?
I looked at gawns overall points finishing overall in supercoach the last 4 years
he’s finished 3rd, 3rd, 9th and 4th
I look at that as a starting pick and it just feels safe. Darcy is the 1 with the ceiling it looked like Gawn lost last year after that hot start. But Gawn will want to go back to back and I don’t see him surrendering the title of being the number 1 ruck in the league just yet. Just think atm I’d rather be burnt by Gawn regressing then missing out if he stays elite it that makes sense?
he’s finished 3rd, 3rd, 9th and 4th
I look at that as a starting pick and it just feels safe. Darcy is the 1 with the ceiling it looked like Gawn lost last year after that hot start. But Gawn will want to go back to back and I don’t see him surrendering the title of being the number 1 ruck in the league just yet. Just think atm I’d rather be burnt by Gawn regressing then missing out if he stays elite it that makes sense?
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He already hurt him last year. Gawn averaged only 113 over the last 2/3 of the season. I'd genuinely be more surprised if Gawn averaged >120 than <115 this year. I just can't see any reason for Melbourne to be running him into the ground when doing so comes at the expense of the development of Jackson as well.
Basically they can help Jackson to improve and protect Gawn for the important stuff, for me that's two big wins that both hurt Gawn's potential scoring. Just expecting something akin to an actual ruck share this year. Especially because I think they'd like Gawn to develop even more as a forward also.
Basically they can help Jackson to improve and protect Gawn for the important stuff, for me that's two big wins that both hurt Gawn's potential scoring. Just expecting something akin to an actual ruck share this year. Especially because I think they'd like Gawn to develop even more as a forward also.
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Sexy indeed. Let’s see if they put on a show! I might even end up with Gawn on my lap…top.
A blicavs esk role for Jackson, like back when there use to be a 3rd man up around the ground etc, would have me considering both. Neither in my team atm.
Gawn as captain certainly has his team first goggles on, love that culture.
A blicavs esk role for Jackson, like back when there use to be a 3rd man up around the ground etc, would have me considering both. Neither in my team atm.
Gawn as captain certainly has his team first goggles on, love that culture.
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