Position 2026 AFL Fantasy Rucks

[danster168]

Not to be biased, but it's Gawn for me. He gets marks around the ground so that helps him compared to guys like Xerri. He has a great tank. The run and jump rule helps him and last season he was in arguably career best form.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

How are people approaching Draft this year re: rucks?

I've done well the last few years picking my ruck early, but those rule changes have me spooked a bit.

Could English be the guy this year?

 

[Phteven]

I haven't settled on anyone but Xerri (starting run), Essendon ruck (doesn't matter who lines up there - they'll be value), Draper (value/forward), Duff-Tytler (rookie), Reidy (value; caveat being role). I'm also considering Luke Jackson, knowing he isn't going to be value but he doesn't have the bye where Grundy and English do. He should pick up forward status early, opening the door to shifting him forward and bringing whoever of Gawn/Grundy/English/other I need to have.

If Blakiston is the Essendon Ruck you will still need to find a R2 as Blakiston is only D at the moment.

 

[Barrybran]

How are people approaching Draft this year re: rucks?

I've done well the last few years picking my ruck early, but those rule changes have me spooked a bit.

Could English be the guy this year?

Second round for me, assuming snake draft. I'm thinking Sheezel #1, Wang #2, premo mid run, premo ruck run. If I'm drafting 8 or 9 in a 10-12 team league, my third pick is 28-33, at which point I'm likely looking at the next tier down.

 

[bettingonbetts]

I haven't settled on anyone but Xerri (starting run), Essendon ruck (doesn't matter who lines up there - they'll be value), Draper (value/forward), Duff-Tytler (rookie), Reidy (value; caveat being role). I'm also considering Luke Jackson, knowing he isn't going to be value but he doesn't have the bye where Grundy and English do. He should pick up forward status early, opening the door to shifting him forward and bringing whoever of Gawn/Grundy/English/other I need to have.

Also a fan of Jackson but he doesn’t present much value unfortunately. Will be interesting to see how they use him PS

 

[Tex Danger]

Anyone slightly keen on Briggs? I was a big no initially but with the R4 bye could give us some price rise and a chance to look at other rucks to see who actually benefits from the new rules and we could trade into them. Also Grundy will be off his bye which is a positive if he continues his 2025 form

I’ll plan without him but if he popped a 90+ rd 1 I’d probably start him

He’s the price I’d like to shop at for R2 if the option presented
He’s way underpriced on what everyone expected last year (90-95)

Last year was putrid though and it’s hard to be confident on why (it’s not like the R1 concussion is what’s being ing his score down, it was bad all year)

New Ruck rules dont seem to suit him

So I’m not banking on him and if I had to make a decision it’d be no but I’m interested enough to put that 90+ opening round flag In The ground to say if he does that then I can’t see why I wouldn’t consider that to be repeatable (rather than a false read) and be a good pick

 

[bettingonbetts]

I’ll plan without him but if he popped a 90+ rd 1 I’d probably start him

He’s the price I’d like to shop at for R2 if the option presented
He’s way underpriced on what everyone expected last year (90-95)

Last year was putrid though and it’s hard to be confident on why (it’s not like the R1 concussion is what’s being ing his score down, it was bad all year)

New Ruck rules dont seem to suit him

So I’m not banking on him and if I had to make a decision it’d be no but I’m interested enough to put that 90+ opening round flag In The ground to say if he does that then I can’t see why I wouldn’t consider that to be repeatable (rather than a false read) and be a good pick

Exactly my thoughts. Just thought he’s priced a lot under and if he produces a good OR score, gotta jump on and can get onto the best ruck who suits the roles before his bye. Let’s hope he pops round one!!

 

[Mr Gor]

Rucks are a shit show with the early byes. Regardless, thinking of going with English and Cameron (two guys who go alright around the ground), and using Vistentini to cover during their byes. I would rather cop the lower point totals (maybe 50 each bye week), than waste future trades sorting out the rucks.

It's either that or go with guys like Nank or Briggs. Was seriously considering Nank tbh, just because of no bye. He had a down year too - 91 in 2025 vs two prior years of 100.

 

[Dan12]

I think a lot of us will end up going Briggs by the time round 1 rolls around.

Also Fagan apparently loves Draper... Coming around to him as a starting pick.

 

[Tex Danger]

I think a lot of us will end up going Briggs by the time round 1 rolls around.

Also Fagan apparently loves Draper... Coming around to him as a starting pick.

I’m thinking Draper is likely for me
If Briggs presents as an option based on OR the he’ll be forward if not he’ll be R2

I’ll be scrambling if both look like bad picks

 

[JDWCE]

Draper is coming back from an achillies no? I would’ve thought he’d get eased in and possibly share the duties with Fort, at least to begin with. Pretty serious injury that

 

[4tune8]

Fair bit hinges on preseason and round 0 games, but looking at Draper R1, Dante Visentini R2, Vigo V R3, Reidy Util, Blakiston Def.

 

[bettingonbetts]

Drapers injury and the market share of Brisbanes points really deters me away from picking him

 

[Barrybran]

Fair bit hinges on preseason and round 0 games, but looking at Draper R1, Dante Visentini R2, Vigo V R3, Reidy Util, Blakiston Def.

Duff-Tytler is looking like he'll play early. Likely won't be a huge scorer early days though.

 

[4tune8]

Duff-Tytler is looking like he'll play early. Likely won't be a huge scorer early days though.

He would only be a bench option and I would think that I could get better cash gen a lot cheaper. His benefit would be JS.

 

[Phteven]

Duff-Tytler is looking like he'll play early. Likely won't be a huge scorer early days though.

Was chatting with Dante at the cafe around the corner from Alberton Oval and he seems confident he will be playing in round 1.

 

[Barrybran]

He would only be a bench option and I would think that I could get better cash gen a lot cheaper. His benefit would be JS.

It sounds like CDT will play early but JS is questionable. Bailey and Jack Williams and Archer Reid are all fighting for the same spot.

Was chatting with Dante at the cafe around the corner from Alberton Oval and he seems confident he will be playing in round 1.

Good news if Dante plays. Can he hold the spot though?

 

[Phteven]

It sounds like CDT will play early but JS is questionable. Bailey and Jack Williams and Archer Reid are all fighting for the same spot.


Good news if Dante plays. Can he hold the spot though?

I think he was pumping up his own tyres!

 

[bettingonbetts]

He would only be a bench option and I would think that I could get better cash gen a lot cheaper. His benefit would be JS.

I would rather a red dot for looping purposes than a green dot that doesn’t make much money and points wouldn’t count in best 18

 

[Shaunn]

I would rather a red dot for looping purposes than a green dot that doesn’t make much money and points aoildnt count in best 18

Especially this year with the 50% TOG changes

 

[4tune8]

I would rather a red dot for looping purposes than a green dot that doesn’t make much money and points wouldn’t count in best 18

Vigo Visentini would be my R3 along with Blakiston in defence (Reidy at Util) It seems like Blakiston and Visentini will share the ruck duties until Bryan is ready which I'm assuming would be round 6. Visentini would probably make way. 5-6 weeks would be enough time to make some cash then change him out for a FD, rounds 2, 3 & 4 will have players on a bye which will be used for VC looping and I'm willing to take a risk with the 50% rule (and injury) for those rounds and take a flyer on a captain score in rounds 1, 5 & 6.

 

[Corkintheocean]

Duff-Tytler is looking like he'll play early. Likely won't be a huge scorer early days though.

Do we want him filling that R3 role if he's playing every week?

Where else are we risking taking the C/VC loophole given the new 50% ToG threshold rule.

EDIT: I see bettingonbetts and Shaunn have covered this

 

[Duke of Windso]

Is TDK not an option as no. 1 ruck at the Saints? Could be just about the highest scorer in the game as a sole ruck, priced under 85. What will the ruck split with Marshall look like?

 

[happy_eagle]

Is TDK not an option as no. 1 ruck at the Saints? Could be just about the highest scorer in the game as a sole ruck, priced under 85. What will the ruck split with Marshall look like?

As long as Marshall is in the team, TDK won't be sole ruck or have enough first ruck responsibilities to score well.
Primary ruck yes, but he will do a fair bit of sharing with Marshall which unfortunately rules them both out for me.

 

[squashface]

R2 is my most annoying position to fill this year.

Interested in Briggs/Draper but early byes coupled with uncertainty around scoring (Briggs sucked hard last year and Draper coming off an achillies likely sharing with Fort at least initially) has that position vacant for me atm.