Position 2023: Ruck Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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4/16 HTA from 45 ruck contests
1 Mark (Contested)
1 Tackle
4 Disposals (2 Kicks and 2 Handballs at 75% DE)
2 Frees For and 6 Frees Against
His work around the ground is poor comparative to most other number one rucks and will need significant improvements in these areas to be a worthwhile selection. 14/22 matches with one or less mark for a season avg of 1.6 in 2022. Also averaged below 10 disposals and 2 tackles per game. Will restrict his ceiling unless these can be fixed which will stunt any potential cash growth due to the potential for the low scoring matches.
1 Mark (Contested)
1 Tackle
4 Disposals (2 Kicks and 2 Handballs at 75% DE)
2 Frees For and 6 Frees Against
His work around the ground is poor comparative to most other number one rucks and will need significant improvements in these areas to be a worthwhile selection. 14/22 matches with one or less mark for a season avg of 1.6 in 2022. Also averaged below 10 disposals and 2 tackles per game. Will restrict his ceiling unless these can be fixed which will stunt any potential cash growth due to the potential for the low scoring matches.
Arrr if the only criteria was a player had to have a mullet! Lol
If the game was played in the 70’s we’d all be in easy street!
These days that individual flair, for the most part has left the building!
Definitely need a fall back position come Rd 6 when the first round of DPP options present like @Shannon suggests!
You are going fall away from the pack having Draper in the side, you'll give up pts every week but then again you like mullets 🤣
If the game was played in the 70’s we’d all be in easy street!
These days that individual flair, for the most part has left the building!
Definitely need a fall back position come Rd 6 when the first round of DPP options present like @Shannon suggests!
You are going fall away from the pack having Draper in the side, you'll give up pts every week but then again you like mullets 🤣
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I dont think draper will average 70. He looks primed for a breakout but it might just be a mini breakout. His hitouts to advantage are improving. I think his mullet just gives away alot of frees. I'm not sure if Bryan or Phillips get gametime this year. I really can't find a second ruck who ticks all the boxes.
It works for you if one of your two main rucks gets injured or suspended for a week or two, as long as your fwd dwelling ruck holds his own score-wise, and isn't spudding it up. Also as you said, you need a decent rookie to cover for the fwd ruck then.
Not having ruck coverage means if one of your two goes down or gets suspended for a few weeks, you're gonna have to get rid of them, and then probably get them back in again. I did this several times last year lol
Not having ruck coverage means if one of your two goes down or gets suspended for a few weeks, you're gonna have to get rid of them, and then probably get them back in again. I did this several times last year lol
Hey guys, obviously lots of talk about the "other options" in the ruck division this year. With lots looking at the value in Grundy, Marshall, Cameron etc. Currently rolling Marshall + Cameron as well...
As usual, I'm doing my last month questioning. I've ruled out English for myself for now. Burnt too many times by injuries.
But I'm trying to work out why we're all fading Witts. Only at about the 15% ownership for a number 1 ruck without any real competition, with a strong midfield and proven ceiling.
Prior to the bye he average 119. He then dropped off in scoring quite a lot - but that's usually expected coming back from an ACL. Is it just the potential that the first half of the year was the anomaly and the second half is more likely what he produces?
I guess my worry is that if Cameron or whoever anyone else is considering in that R2 role doesn't lift up to that 90-100 consistent range then there's a chance Witts becomes unattainable if he can maintain that 119 or even push it up to the 125ish average.
Any merit in this thinking? Is anyone else reconsidering their ruck line as well? I guess the challenge is finding the extra 140k to get there.
As usual, I'm doing my last month questioning. I've ruled out English for myself for now. Burnt too many times by injuries.
But I'm trying to work out why we're all fading Witts. Only at about the 15% ownership for a number 1 ruck without any real competition, with a strong midfield and proven ceiling.
Prior to the bye he average 119. He then dropped off in scoring quite a lot - but that's usually expected coming back from an ACL. Is it just the potential that the first half of the year was the anomaly and the second half is more likely what he produces?
I guess my worry is that if Cameron or whoever anyone else is considering in that R2 role doesn't lift up to that 90-100 consistent range then there's a chance Witts becomes unattainable if he can maintain that 119 or even push it up to the 125ish average.
Any merit in this thinking? Is anyone else reconsidering their ruck line as well? I guess the challenge is finding the extra 140k to get there.
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Witts is priced at 110ish or less isn't he? We target midfielders all the time that push 115 and up so I'm not expecting it to be too different for a ruck.
I'm not sure Witts has the rounded game to push an average of 115+ - doesn't do the little things to stop his low flooring in games he doesn't dominate. I don't watch a lot of him tbh but he doesn't strike me as getting too far out of reach this season.
I'm not sure Witts has the rounded game to push an average of 115+ - doesn't do the little things to stop his low flooring in games he doesn't dominate. I don't watch a lot of him tbh but he doesn't strike me as getting too far out of reach this season.
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Age, role, upside. His hitout wins keep improving. Hes got lots of talent he just doesn't put it all together. There really isn't a complete non injury prone ruck with a great role. Marshall a decent pick. I started with him last year and that didn't go well! Its very likely some rucks will get injured in the next month to change the landscape.
P
That's the thing though - he averaged 119 for half the year. Another preseason under his belt post ACL maybe he doesn't drop off?
I think Marshall is the obvious lock for potential to increase his output on last year based on change of role.
All other rucks probably have the opposite - with either role change being a negative (Gawn/ Grundy/ Darcy) or at least staying the same.
Cameron who seems to be the consistent pick showed that when he shares ruck duties he has one of the worst floors there is. So unless we're convinced that Cox doesn't pinch hit then that doesn't that same logic rule him out?
That's the thing though - he averaged 119 for half the year. Another preseason under his belt post ACL maybe he doesn't drop off?
I think Marshall is the obvious lock for potential to increase his output on last year based on change of role.
All other rucks probably have the opposite - with either role change being a negative (Gawn/ Grundy/ Darcy) or at least staying the same.
Cameron who seems to be the consistent pick showed that when he shares ruck duties he has one of the worst floors there is. So unless we're convinced that Cox doesn't pinch hit then that doesn't that same logic rule him out?
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Then pick him. We'll all have our own observations or beliefs and it sounds to me like you think he'll improve which is as good of a reason to start him as any, it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks, as long as you think he does and the 13% of others. Sounds like you need to find a way to start him this season. There's certainly plenty of merit to your thought process, trust yourself.
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Regarding ACL injuries, NRL Physio (NRL) and Stephania Bell (NFL) regularly reference the two year period after an ACL in which players usually return to performance (not return to play) which makes Witts an interesting study given his career year occurred upon returning from ACL.
As @NT.Thunder alluded to, Witts doesn’t contribute enough in other categories to be able to sustain a 119+, 115 or possibly even a 110 average over the entirety of a season which limits his ceiling and thus increases his reliance on sustaining a very high hitout to advantage rate. On far too many occasions both last year and historically, he fails to hit the scoreboard or is not involved enough around the ground in terms of disposals, marks and tackles to compensate for matches in which he might drop below 30% or 25% HTA.
As @NT.Thunder alluded to, Witts doesn’t contribute enough in other categories to be able to sustain a 119+, 115 or possibly even a 110 average over the entirety of a season which limits his ceiling and thus increases his reliance on sustaining a very high hitout to advantage rate. On far too many occasions both last year and historically, he fails to hit the scoreboard or is not involved enough around the ground in terms of disposals, marks and tackles to compensate for matches in which he might drop below 30% or 25% HTA.
It could be the right move but with zero backup options and zero bailout options it's as risky a move as you can do. They've got 5 legitimate options as their #1 ruck this year that could all get games and I'd still be surprised if Teakle was the #1. I'd say if they're not going for ruckwork then they may as well just go Finlayson and get the much better ground support. Teakle is that awkward 2nd best ground level but one of the weaker rucks. Lycett beat him pretty soundly in the ruck.