Rucks Discussion
- Thread starter Impromptu
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I started a similar post in the midfield section and figured i would also start one for the rucks.
What are your predictions for the top 5 rucks for Supercoach in 2014? I have decided to say 5 as i think it could be possible that they will have very similar averages by the end of the season.
1. Going by Supercoach average only.
2. Be expected to play 20+ games.
Goldstein
Naitanui
Cox
Minson
Lobbe
Personally i think Godly and Nic Nat will be the only rucks to pass a 105 average and the other three will be hot on their heels.
What are your predictions for the top 5 rucks for Supercoach in 2014? I have decided to say 5 as i think it could be possible that they will have very similar averages by the end of the season.
1. Going by Supercoach average only.
2. Be expected to play 20+ games.
Goldstein
Naitanui
Cox
Minson
Lobbe
Personally i think Godly and Nic Nat will be the only rucks to pass a 105 average and the other three will be hot on their heels.
Minson
Goldstein
NicNat
Lobbe
McEvoy
Minson for no.1. Just think he's going to smash it this year in a way no other ruck will. The main dilemma this year will be NicNat vs Lobbe. Both present risks but both could pay off, but does the money saved from Lobbe make him more appealing? Who knows. I've gone with Lobbe but chopping and changing almost daily.
Goldstein
NicNat
Lobbe
McEvoy
Minson for no.1. Just think he's going to smash it this year in a way no other ruck will. The main dilemma this year will be NicNat vs Lobbe. Both present risks but both could pay off, but does the money saved from Lobbe make him more appealing? Who knows. I've gone with Lobbe but chopping and changing almost daily.
In terms of rucks i am considering (as opposed to the top 5 total points):
1) Sandilands
2) Leuenberger
3) McIntosh
4) Longer
5) Currie/Rookies
These are the main 5 i am interested in watching in the NAB. So much value in Sandi/McIntosh/Longer can't see to many teams not starting at least one of those three. I may even start all three as it works out cheaper then starting Goldstein/Sandi/Rookie for example.
1) Sandilands
2) Leuenberger
3) McIntosh
4) Longer
5) Currie/Rookies
These are the main 5 i am interested in watching in the NAB. So much value in Sandi/McIntosh/Longer can't see to many teams not starting at least one of those three. I may even start all three as it works out cheaper then starting Goldstein/Sandi/Rookie for example.
Can't see Longer not being R1 or R2. The saints chased him pretty hard for a reason. Starting those three gives you an extra cash cow and cover for injury prone rucks. It is also a nice POD. Most teams i have seen around are strongly against starting those three - mainly due to Longer being a lot of cash on the bench. But when you look at total ruck costs it is actually cheaper them most teams who go a gun/sandi.
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Because a gun (110 average) and Sandi (95? Average) score more than McIntosh, Sandi and Longer. One of their scores wont count each week.. Which is a waste of money IMO. St. Kilda also chased Hickey hard last year giving up pick 13 for him in a deal. I personally don't think it's the best idea to have an unproven youngster as back up for two injury prone players. Rucks cause the most problems during the year which is why I am going for atleast 1 premium and one mid pricer who I believe will become a premium = a set and forget rucks.
Good luck
Good luck
Because a gun (110 average) and Sandi (95? Average) score more than McIntosh, Sandi and Longer. One of their scores wont count each week.. Which is a waste of money IMO. St. Kilda also chased Hickey hard last year giving up pick 13 for him in a deal. I personally don't think it's the best idea to have an unproven youngster as back up for two injury prone players. Rucks cause the most problems during the year which is why I am going for atleast 1 premium and one mid pricer who I believe will become a premium = a set and forget rucks.
Good luck
Good luck
Sandi average 111 in 2012 and McIntosh averaged 101 in 2012 before getting injured.
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They're some good points, cheers mpollock. In 2012 McIntosh was NMFC's first ruck, i'm not sure this will be the case at the Cats with Dawson Simpson ahead of him IMO. I think the risk is worse then the reward here, that is all. I personally really want to start Sandi aswell, but had to make approximately 5 trades in the ruck department this year, which killed me, and is putting me off starting a player with huge risk. Go for it if you are willing to though.
The cash generation point could go both ways. The money saved from starting 2 rookie rucks can be spent on better/premium rookies or another mid-pricer that actually starts on your field e.g. Daisy, Suckling, Tex(?).
Good Luck
The cash generation point could go both ways. The money saved from starting 2 rookie rucks can be spent on better/premium rookies or another mid-pricer that actually starts on your field e.g. Daisy, Suckling, Tex(?).
Good Luck
On the saints rucks situation.
St Kilda's top ruck spot is Hickey’s to lose
THE PROSPECT of holding down St Kilda's No.1 ruck position this season is what has driven Tom Hickey through the summer months.
The former Gold Coast big man is now the most experienced of the Saints' young ruck brigade, following the trade of Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn.
Although the 22-year-old has played just 24 games, he has more under his belt than Billy Longer, who arrived from the Brisbane Lions having played nine.
After a stint of games in the second half of last season, Hickey is determined to make the main ruck spot his having gained confidence from his strong end to 2013.
"It's definitely been a driving factor in this pre-season and off-season in particular," Hickey told AFL.com.au this week.
"We've got Billy as well and hopefully we can work together and form a good partnership.
"It's been a really big driving factor because I know if I do everything right, I could play 22 games and I've never done that before.
"I'd love to have that opportunity to try and come up for the whole year."
Hickey has been working with Longer and new part-time ruck coach Darren Jolly this year, with the two young big men pushing each other through weights and training while trying to build a competitive partnership.
The former Sun jokingly described himself as "the old hand" in the ruck department, having arrived at the club 12 months before 20-year-old Longer.
Despite their inexperience – and the fact Rhys Stanley is expected to spend more time in attack this season – Hickey says he's more excited than daunted by the prospect of the two of them sharing the big man duties.
"What better way to learn than to play against [other ruckmen] and have that chance to spend a whole game up against them and trying to figure them out?" he said.
"I'm obviously very excited; I've played against the majority of the ruckmen in the competition over a 24-game career and I've been learning from every game I've played so I just can't wait to get out there and keep learning and try to beat a few of them."
Hickey's first season as a Saint didn't start well when he injured his heel in his very first ruck contest in round one against his former team.
He was out for a few weeks before he had to prove his form in the VFL, and it took until round seven before he earned a recall.
He described the situation as less than ideal but believed the confidence he gleaned from playing VFL before coming back into the seniors set him up for the rest of the season.
Then, he had his breakthrough moment in round 21 against the Sydney Swans.
McEvoy was subbed off in the third quarter and Hickey was left alone to hold the fort against Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke, which he did with aplomb.
The following week, he had 16 hit-outs and 17 disposals – 10 of which were contested – against his former team.
"I think it was good for my confidence, that I could match it with some good ruckmen in the competition," he said.
"More than anything, it was really good mentally for me because I felt as though I was part of the team and I could be trusted to shoulder the ruck for a bit."
Hickey was on a modified program during the Saints’ visit to Colorado in November, as he has a history of leg soreness after hill work.
However, he's come back from the USA feeling strong and has barely missed any actual football training this pre-season.
"It was a bit of maintenance more than anything," he said.
"I've come back and I've felt really good and I've been running really well."
St Kilda's top ruck spot is Hickey’s to lose
THE PROSPECT of holding down St Kilda's No.1 ruck position this season is what has driven Tom Hickey through the summer months.
The former Gold Coast big man is now the most experienced of the Saints' young ruck brigade, following the trade of Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn.
Although the 22-year-old has played just 24 games, he has more under his belt than Billy Longer, who arrived from the Brisbane Lions having played nine.
After a stint of games in the second half of last season, Hickey is determined to make the main ruck spot his having gained confidence from his strong end to 2013.
"It's definitely been a driving factor in this pre-season and off-season in particular," Hickey told AFL.com.au this week.
"We've got Billy as well and hopefully we can work together and form a good partnership.
"It's been a really big driving factor because I know if I do everything right, I could play 22 games and I've never done that before.
"I'd love to have that opportunity to try and come up for the whole year."
Hickey has been working with Longer and new part-time ruck coach Darren Jolly this year, with the two young big men pushing each other through weights and training while trying to build a competitive partnership.
The former Sun jokingly described himself as "the old hand" in the ruck department, having arrived at the club 12 months before 20-year-old Longer.
Despite their inexperience – and the fact Rhys Stanley is expected to spend more time in attack this season – Hickey says he's more excited than daunted by the prospect of the two of them sharing the big man duties.
"What better way to learn than to play against [other ruckmen] and have that chance to spend a whole game up against them and trying to figure them out?" he said.
"I'm obviously very excited; I've played against the majority of the ruckmen in the competition over a 24-game career and I've been learning from every game I've played so I just can't wait to get out there and keep learning and try to beat a few of them."
Hickey's first season as a Saint didn't start well when he injured his heel in his very first ruck contest in round one against his former team.
He was out for a few weeks before he had to prove his form in the VFL, and it took until round seven before he earned a recall.
He described the situation as less than ideal but believed the confidence he gleaned from playing VFL before coming back into the seniors set him up for the rest of the season.
Then, he had his breakthrough moment in round 21 against the Sydney Swans.
McEvoy was subbed off in the third quarter and Hickey was left alone to hold the fort against Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke, which he did with aplomb.
The following week, he had 16 hit-outs and 17 disposals – 10 of which were contested – against his former team.
"I think it was good for my confidence, that I could match it with some good ruckmen in the competition," he said.
"More than anything, it was really good mentally for me because I felt as though I was part of the team and I could be trusted to shoulder the ruck for a bit."
Hickey was on a modified program during the Saints’ visit to Colorado in November, as he has a history of leg soreness after hill work.
However, he's come back from the USA feeling strong and has barely missed any actual football training this pre-season.
"It was a bit of maintenance more than anything," he said.
"I've come back and I've felt really good and I've been running really well."