Position 2023: Ruck Discussion
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UNDERPRICED PLAYERS
Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) $465,900 RUC-FWD
Anyone who played KFC SuperCoach in 2022 will know my love for the man affectionately known as DCAM – to me, at least. Cameron will be Collingwood’s No. 1 ruckman next year after Brodie Grundy’s move to Melbourne and shapes as a popular selection after retaining FWD status. Cameron was averaging 46.6 points until round 6 when Grundy was injured and he took on the mantle as the Pies’ leading big man. Cameron averaged 96.5 from round 7 onwards despite showing signs of fatigue later in the campaign. His best run was rounds 7-15 when he averaged 110.6. An average of 96 would ordinarily have Cameron priced closer to $500,000, and it’s clear his potential to push to an average of 100-plus makes him a great underpriced target. With question marks over most of the top-priced options in his position, expect him to be one of the popular starting picks of 2023.
Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) $512,900 RUC
Who knows if Grundy is truly undervalued or if we’re living in the past. But at this stage, he at least appears to present value. Grundy’s partnership with Max Gawn looms as the greatest pre-season talking point in KFC SuperCoach for 2023. Will the Demons ruck pairing ruin each other as KFC SuperCoach premiums or can they propel each other to even greater heights? This is Grundy’s lowest starting price since 2016, which was two years before he became a KFC SuperCoach stud by averaging 130. Perhaps the most compelling part of Grundy’s partnership with Gawn will be who spends most time forward. At some point in 2023 KFC SuperCoaches are likely to be able to get Grundy and/or Gawn as a RUC-FWD. And if Grundy’s price stays this low, that might be too hard to ignore.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) $506,500 RUC
Another underpriced option who comes with an asterisk. Playing as a sole ruckman, Marshall has the potential to put himself in the stratosphere of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy’s best KFC SuperCoach seasons. Just look at round 20, 2022. Marshall amassed 35 hitouts, 30 disposals, seven tackles and took nine marks on his way to 173 KFC SuperCoach points against Hawthorn. The issue is a few weeks later he was back in the forward 50 while Tom Campbell took the centre bounces. That was under Brett Ratten, and Ross Lyon preferred to go with one ruckman and a versatile back-up (such as Jason Blake) in his last stint as St Kilda coach. Although that was a decade ago, KFC SuperCoaches can only hope he does something similar with Marshall. His 2022 average of 92 was Marshall’s lowest for four years and I am confident in predicting he will be a $600,000-plus player and the best-scoring ruck of 2023 if he plays as a solo ruckman in 15 or more games (as he should). Over to you, Ross.
OVERPRICED PLAYERS
Lloyd Meek $431,100 RUC
This one is sure to cause some conjecture, as I’m sure there are KFC SuperCoaches out there who would suggest Meek is in fact undervalued – especially if he becomes Hawthorn’s No. 1 ruckman. The reality is the former Docker will be competing with Max Lynch and Ned Reeves to be Sam Mitchell’s go-to ruckman and after inheriting the No. 7 jumper, Reeves likely has the inside running. Let’s assume Meek plays in tandem with Reeves. He has considerable upside and scored at least 78 KFC SuperCoach points in each of his six appearances in 2022. The biggest issue will be whether he can keep Reeves and Lynch out of the team for a full season which, pardon the pun, seems a tall order. Playing as one of two ruckmen is going to severely limit his KFC SuperCoach potential.
Jarrod Witts $605,100 RUC
Another player who fits into the George Hewett category. The Gold Coast ruckman averaged more than 10 points above his previous season-best in 2022, breaking the 100 KFC SuperCoach point barrier for the first time. It was a remarkable season as he returned from an ACL injury to be the best KFC SuperCoach ruckman of the year. Scoring history would suggest Witts regresses, although his scoring was largely based on sustainable figures such as contested possessions and hitouts to advantage. The make-up of Gold Coast’s forward line will be interesting. Ben King likely comes in for Levi Casboult, but if they play together it could release Mabior Chol to play more in the ruck, which could limit Witts’ scoring. There are enough question marks to at least be cautious.
Braydon Preuss $506,000 RUC
If you’re even entertaining riding the Braydon Preuss rollercoaster again, you’re a much braver KFC SuperCoach than our experts. Preuss was $204k to start last season, $303k in 2021 and $329k in 2020. He has never played more than four games in a row during his career through a combination of suspension, injury and selection. And really whether you somehow think $506k actually represents value, that should tell you all you need to know. Despite his high scoring ceiling, $506k won’t seem like a smart price if he ends up dropped, suspended or injured a few rounds into 2023.
Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) $465,900 RUC-FWD
Anyone who played KFC SuperCoach in 2022 will know my love for the man affectionately known as DCAM – to me, at least. Cameron will be Collingwood’s No. 1 ruckman next year after Brodie Grundy’s move to Melbourne and shapes as a popular selection after retaining FWD status. Cameron was averaging 46.6 points until round 6 when Grundy was injured and he took on the mantle as the Pies’ leading big man. Cameron averaged 96.5 from round 7 onwards despite showing signs of fatigue later in the campaign. His best run was rounds 7-15 when he averaged 110.6. An average of 96 would ordinarily have Cameron priced closer to $500,000, and it’s clear his potential to push to an average of 100-plus makes him a great underpriced target. With question marks over most of the top-priced options in his position, expect him to be one of the popular starting picks of 2023.
Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) $512,900 RUC
Who knows if Grundy is truly undervalued or if we’re living in the past. But at this stage, he at least appears to present value. Grundy’s partnership with Max Gawn looms as the greatest pre-season talking point in KFC SuperCoach for 2023. Will the Demons ruck pairing ruin each other as KFC SuperCoach premiums or can they propel each other to even greater heights? This is Grundy’s lowest starting price since 2016, which was two years before he became a KFC SuperCoach stud by averaging 130. Perhaps the most compelling part of Grundy’s partnership with Gawn will be who spends most time forward. At some point in 2023 KFC SuperCoaches are likely to be able to get Grundy and/or Gawn as a RUC-FWD. And if Grundy’s price stays this low, that might be too hard to ignore.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) $506,500 RUC
Another underpriced option who comes with an asterisk. Playing as a sole ruckman, Marshall has the potential to put himself in the stratosphere of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy’s best KFC SuperCoach seasons. Just look at round 20, 2022. Marshall amassed 35 hitouts, 30 disposals, seven tackles and took nine marks on his way to 173 KFC SuperCoach points against Hawthorn. The issue is a few weeks later he was back in the forward 50 while Tom Campbell took the centre bounces. That was under Brett Ratten, and Ross Lyon preferred to go with one ruckman and a versatile back-up (such as Jason Blake) in his last stint as St Kilda coach. Although that was a decade ago, KFC SuperCoaches can only hope he does something similar with Marshall. His 2022 average of 92 was Marshall’s lowest for four years and I am confident in predicting he will be a $600,000-plus player and the best-scoring ruck of 2023 if he plays as a solo ruckman in 15 or more games (as he should). Over to you, Ross.
OVERPRICED PLAYERS
Lloyd Meek $431,100 RUC
This one is sure to cause some conjecture, as I’m sure there are KFC SuperCoaches out there who would suggest Meek is in fact undervalued – especially if he becomes Hawthorn’s No. 1 ruckman. The reality is the former Docker will be competing with Max Lynch and Ned Reeves to be Sam Mitchell’s go-to ruckman and after inheriting the No. 7 jumper, Reeves likely has the inside running. Let’s assume Meek plays in tandem with Reeves. He has considerable upside and scored at least 78 KFC SuperCoach points in each of his six appearances in 2022. The biggest issue will be whether he can keep Reeves and Lynch out of the team for a full season which, pardon the pun, seems a tall order. Playing as one of two ruckmen is going to severely limit his KFC SuperCoach potential.
Jarrod Witts $605,100 RUC
Another player who fits into the George Hewett category. The Gold Coast ruckman averaged more than 10 points above his previous season-best in 2022, breaking the 100 KFC SuperCoach point barrier for the first time. It was a remarkable season as he returned from an ACL injury to be the best KFC SuperCoach ruckman of the year. Scoring history would suggest Witts regresses, although his scoring was largely based on sustainable figures such as contested possessions and hitouts to advantage. The make-up of Gold Coast’s forward line will be interesting. Ben King likely comes in for Levi Casboult, but if they play together it could release Mabior Chol to play more in the ruck, which could limit Witts’ scoring. There are enough question marks to at least be cautious.
Braydon Preuss $506,000 RUC
If you’re even entertaining riding the Braydon Preuss rollercoaster again, you’re a much braver KFC SuperCoach than our experts. Preuss was $204k to start last season, $303k in 2021 and $329k in 2020. He has never played more than four games in a row during his career through a combination of suspension, injury and selection. And really whether you somehow think $506k actually represents value, that should tell you all you need to know. Despite his high scoring ceiling, $506k won’t seem like a smart price if he ends up dropped, suspended or injured a few rounds into 2023.
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ROOKIE WATCH
Esava Ratugolea
Geelong (Ruck/Fwd $174,000)
SC Ave 2022: 36 (2 games)
He may have not quite found his way to Port Adelaide during the trade period – a move that would’ve likely granted him more AFL opportunity immediately – but he should still be on the KFC SuperCoach watchlist. The Cats, despite Ratugolea playing four senior games during an injury-riddled 2022, didn’t want to let him go and his late-season form in defence was a big reason why. After kicking goals, and pinch-hitting in the ruck on his return from injury, the 24-year-old took 10 intercept marks, among 22 total intercept possession, in the final two matches of the year, playing in defence. Could his inclusion give Chris Scott’s side yet another layer? At the price, KFC SuperCoaches should be hoping so.
Hamish Free
North Melbourne (Ruck $102,400)
SC Ave 2022: 107 (WAFL)
Goldstein and Xerri will be North Melbourne’s first choice ruck duo but, if either goes down, they have a ready-made replacement in the wings. Free was plucked in the rookie draft from South Fremantle, where the 24-year-old averaged 12.1 disposals, 41.7 hitouts and 107 SuperCoach points. At 202cm and 103kg, Free is ready to go if required and with North Melbourne likely to be playing later in most rounds, he doubles as a captaincy loophole option.
Esava Ratugolea
Geelong (Ruck/Fwd $174,000)
SC Ave 2022: 36 (2 games)
He may have not quite found his way to Port Adelaide during the trade period – a move that would’ve likely granted him more AFL opportunity immediately – but he should still be on the KFC SuperCoach watchlist. The Cats, despite Ratugolea playing four senior games during an injury-riddled 2022, didn’t want to let him go and his late-season form in defence was a big reason why. After kicking goals, and pinch-hitting in the ruck on his return from injury, the 24-year-old took 10 intercept marks, among 22 total intercept possession, in the final two matches of the year, playing in defence. Could his inclusion give Chris Scott’s side yet another layer? At the price, KFC SuperCoaches should be hoping so.
Hamish Free
North Melbourne (Ruck $102,400)
SC Ave 2022: 107 (WAFL)
Goldstein and Xerri will be North Melbourne’s first choice ruck duo but, if either goes down, they have a ready-made replacement in the wings. Free was plucked in the rookie draft from South Fremantle, where the 24-year-old averaged 12.1 disposals, 41.7 hitouts and 107 SuperCoach points. At 202cm and 103kg, Free is ready to go if required and with North Melbourne likely to be playing later in most rounds, he doubles as a captaincy loophole option.
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Yep, gonna be a big jump in CBA's if McStay is the 2nd ruck.
With Cox (including 2 games Cox got subbed off
)
Cameron 57% CBA
Cox 41% CBA
McStay was at around 15% when he was the 2nd ruck at Brisbane (either Fort or Big O missing) so I think a 80/20% split is reasonable to assume.
Even at 75/25 that would be an 18% increase for Cameron
With Cox (including 2 games Cox got subbed off
)Cameron 57% CBA
Cox 41% CBA
McStay was at around 15% when he was the 2nd ruck at Brisbane (either Fort or Big O missing) so I think a 80/20% split is reasonable to assume.
Even at 75/25 that would be an 18% increase for Cameron
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Cameron FWD with a R/F $102k donut at R3.
Slightly misleading given he rotted forward with Grundy rucking for the first 6 rounds. From rounds 7 to 23, where Cameron was the primary ruck, he averaged 14.3 disp and 96.5 SC. Also still managed to hit the scoreboard with an average of just under a goal per game during that period. It was a great ride.
Slightly misleading given he rotted forward with Grundy rucking for the first 6 rounds. From rounds 7 to 23, where Cameron was the primary ruck, he averaged 14.3 disp and 96.5 SC. Also still managed to hit the scoreboard with an average of just under a goal per game during that period. It was a great ride.
Him not being mentioned too often in track reports & even going to possibly have a scan is my major concern. I wouldn't feel confident going into the season with him as R2 to 'test the ruck waters' so to speak and have him need weeks off because of his knee. Very little room to move at 460k unless you've saved 50 odd k & can get up to Grundy who is also looking ordinary by all Dees reports.