Position 2026 Rucks

[spudmaster]

You can shift Draper FWD, or into the FLEX position once the Ruck haze sorts itself out

"the ruckman has a new secret weapon helping him get back to his best."

The secret weapon is not having to play for Essendon.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

At 700k?

I'm not a betting man but I'd put almost anything on Sam Draper not getting to $700k

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Good stats

 

[Foxman98]

Good stats

Darcy is fit currently which is always the issue with Jackson clearly

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

Will be interesting to see what evolves. In the scenario above the last thing the leaping ruck will want is a secondary bounce so you would think they will want to create situations with the initial hitout where the ball is in open space but they have an advantage vis player blocks etc.

Harder said than done.

Hopefully rucks that can get clean HTA get scored properly and then because they roasted the opposition ruck get some juicy scaling as well.
This, plus running the ground, getting to ball ups, contested marks. Thats where Gawn and Xerri make sense.

If they get scored like poo theyre gonna loose a lot of cash. But that cash saving is only good if youre trading them in.
if everyone has them its irrelevant. Then only scoring matters and they dont have a bye. So if all rucks scoring suffers but Gawn and Xerri the lease, then the price drops dont help anyone without them as they paid for the cheaper price in points.

Easier to save the byes and bullshit and start the sexy campaigners.

 

[4tune8]

Harder said than done.

Hopefully rucks that can get clean HTA get scored properly and then because they roasted the opposition ruck get some juicy scaling as well.
This, plus running the ground, getting to ball ups, contested marks. Thats where Gawn and Xerri make sense.

If they get scored like poo theyre gonna loose a lot of cash. But that cash saving is only good if youre trading them in.
if everyone has them its irrelevant. Then only scoring matters and they dont have a bye. So if all rucks scoring suffers but Gawn and Xerri the lease, then the price drops dont help anyone without them as they paid for the cheaper price in points.

Easier to save the byes and bullshit and start the sexy campaigners.

If I have 2 cheap rucks that actually gain value instead of losing it like Gawn/Xerri might then I'm in front. Those savings might just generate more pts/$ if reinvested wisely on lines other than ruck.

 

[Foxman98]

If I have 2 cheap rucks that actually gain value instead of losing it like Gawn/Xerri might then I'm in front. Those savings might just generate more pts/$ if reinvested wisely on lines other than ruck.

They can make money but if you're rucks are scoring 90's whilst Gawn and Xerri are scoring 120-130s you are missing out on 30-40 points each week

 

[54Dogs]

They can make money but if you're rucks are scoring 90's whilst Gawn and Xerri are scoring 120-130s you are missing out on 30-40 points each week

It depends where you invest the 300-400K you save to make that back on other lines

I like at least 1 big gun ruck as they are a great default captain option with a high floor. No risk of being tagged

 

[Foxman98]

It depends where you invest the 300-400K you save to make that back on other lines

I like at least 1 big gun ruck as they are a great default captain option with a high floor. No risk of being tagged

In theory though thats just another premo with a bye in another line who doesn't have the same scoring ability as the both of them

People are overthinking the ruck line far to much IMO

 

[54Dogs]

In theory though thats just another premo with a bye in another line who doesn't have the same scoring ability as the both of them

People are overthinking the ruck line far to much IMO

Happens every yr. I almost always start with 2 big dogs, can waste so many trades

 

[Foxman98]

Happens every yr. I almost always start with 2 big dogs, can waste so many trades

I over thought it the last 2 years not making the mistake again,

There is little to no argument you can make for any player over Gawn/Xerri given neither have early bye neither have any ruck competition and neither of them are heavily reliant on CB blocking like Grundy

 

[4tune8]

They can make money but if you're rucks are scoring 90's whilst Gawn and Xerri are scoring 120-130s you are missing out on 30-40 points each week

Not if I reinvest the savings where I'm going to get more points per dollar than what I'll get on the ruck line.

 

[jdstorm]

I over thought it the last 2 years not making the mistake again,

There is little to no argument you can make for any player over Gawn/Xerri given neither have early bye neither have any ruck competition and neither of them are heavily reliant on CB blocking like Grundy

the other issue with going cheaper ie 2 midpricers or midpricer + Rookie is that there’s just better rookies in the midfield/defence then the rucks. Jagga, Brodie (trap) Dursma, Uwland, Patterson, Grijl, cumming, Taylor, Sharpe, Farrow Lindsay and that’s before counting elevated guys like kiddy.

 

[54Dogs]

I over thought it the last 2 years not making the mistake again,

There is little to no argument you can make for any player over Gawn/Xerri given neither have early bye neither have any ruck competition and neither of them are heavily reliant on CB blocking like Grundy

Yet to decide but open to fading Gawn this yr given the age, horrendous midfield around him meaning less HTAs, issues this PS and new rules suiting the younger more athletic rucks. If I do fade him it will be for one of the leapers / athletic types like Jackson / English, who I think could close to match his output at a cheaper price.

 

[4tune8]

I over thought it the last 2 years not making the mistake again,

There is little to no argument you can make for any player over Gawn/Xerri given neither have early bye neither have any ruck competition and neither of them are heavily reliant on CB blocking like Grundy

Recent articles have surmised that there'll be around 13 or so less ruck contests per game with the introduction of the new rules, not taking into account the new CBA rule which will affect the lumbering rucks that can't jump.

A 15% reduction in ruck contests (assuming 100 RC's/game) would see a player like Xerri lose 19pts off his average as well as $100k off his value.

 

[4tune8]

the other issue with going cheaper ie 2 midpricers or midpricer + Rookie is that there’s just better rookies in the midfield/defence then the rucks. Jagga, Brodie (trap) Dursma, Uwland, Patterson, Grijl, cumming, Taylor, Sharpe, Farrow Lindsay and that’s before counting elevated guys like kiddy.

But you might be able to upgrade a couple of iffy MP's to keeper premos and still keep the same rookies. Big win if those keeper premos perform with better value than the rucks, ie: better points/dollar

 

[54Dogs]

Recent articles have surmised that there'll be around 13 or so less ruck contests per game with the introduction of the new rules, not taking into account the new CBA rule which will affect the lumbering rucks that can't jump.

A 15% reduction in ruck contests (assuming 100 RC's/game) would see a player like Xerri lose 19pts off his average as well as $100k off his value.

It also affects the cheaper rucks as well, you just gain some value by not outlaying as much. That comes with it's own risks, if they get injured and need to be moved on they are a messy price etc

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

If I have 2 cheap rucks that actually gain value instead of losing it like Gawn/Xerri might then I'm in front. Those savings might just generate more pts/$ if reinvested wisely on lines other than ruck.

Sure they can. Nut you would have to execute perfectly.

With Gawn and Xerri not having an early bye they could average 100 each and out score all remaining rucks up to round 12.

If the cheap rucks fire youre laughing. Cant really replace a premo rucks bye scores with a rookie like you can on other lines.
If Reidy plays round 1-5 theres one and the other could be your flex player to cover the donut.

Then a cheap rucks with byes could work out.

Its tempting. Im known for doing stupid shit in the rucks in my starting sides. Or keeping heaps of cash in the bank.

Im still looking into it. If I get one sniff that ruck scores will drop Ill look into cheaper options.

End of the day with heaps of round 1 rookies and a clear duo of Gawn and Xerri which also have no bullshit bye its hard to not just lock them in.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Hodor only managed one quarter in match sim today.

Jacko SZN?

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

Recent articles have surmised that there'll be around 13 or so less ruck contests per game with the introduction of the new rules, not taking into account the new CBA rule which will affect the lumbering rucks that can't jump.

A 15% reduction in ruck contests (assuming 100 RC's/game) would see a player like Xerri lose 19pts off his average as well as $100k off his value.

 

[54Dogs]

Hodor only managed one quarter in match sim today.

Jacko SZN?

Think the new rules signal the end for Shrek, last thing he needs is more jumping, less wrestling and covering more ground at a quicker rate

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

Think the new rules signal the end for Shrek, last thing he needs is more jumping, less wrestling and covering more ground at a quicker rate

They should trade him and we can all lock in Jackson for the next five years

Darcy was set to dominate. That one year hes was averaging like 140 first half the season.

 

[jdstorm]

But you might be able to upgrade a couple of iffy MP's to keeper premos and still keep the same rookies. Big win if those keeper premos perform with better value than the rucks, ie: better points/dollar

Rookies/midpricers are the best PPD players in the game. This year it’s possible we have 6 guys who average 80+ across the mid/def lines.

Let’s say in your cheap ruck setup you get 160 points out of 600k + 220 points from 1.2M premo mids leaving 1.8M spend for 380 points.

Expensive rucks = 1.3M = 240 points + rookie averaging 80 points for say 300k

That’s 400pts for 1.6M

So your slightly in front on both money and points by prioritising extra midfield/defender rookies

 

[4tune8]

Rookies/midpricers are the best PPD players in the game. This year it’s possible we have 6 guys who average 80+ across the mid/def lines.

Let’s say in your cheap ruck setup you get 160 points out of 600k + 220 points from 1.2M premo mids leaving 1.8M spend for 380 points.

Expensive rucks = 1.3M = 240 points + rookie averaging 80 points for say 300k

That’s 400pts for 1.6M

So your slightly in front on both money and points by prioritising extra midfield/defender rookies

Sorry, that's actually 320pts for $1.6m. If you meant 2 rookies then you'll have to add another $300k to your base cost (now $1.9m)

If I factor a 15% loss of output on the top 2 rucks then I'm only getting 216pts for a $1.3m outlay add an 80pt rookie and that's only ~ 300pts for $1.6m

If I'm upgrading a Mid MP to a premo then I'm going to target a mid with a pretty flash draw, so I'm hoping for an early average of 130+ not 110.

Looking at the numbers this way with 2 top rucks and 2 MP's

$1.38m for 216pts + $600k for 160pts = $1.98m for 376pts

$600k for 160pts (rucks) + $1.3m (mids) for 260pts = $1.9m for 420pts

So $80k better off (worth 16PPG) and 44pts, which makes a fair difference early doors especially when the loss of value v the gain in value is taken into account.

 

[Ash1337]

English and Gawn will benefit most from ruck changes. They might not get to every contest but they play around the ground and intercept any ball kicked out of defence. Darcy & Naughton already ruck the forward 50 contests for English while he sits in the midfield. Gawn plays big stints in the forward and defensive 50s taking marks.

Xerri made a killing in physical rucking so he's the biggest worry. Same with ROB & Marshall. Marshall's role is going to change anyways.

TDK might benefit but with a new team it's best to be cautious on him.

Jackson is playing more midfield from reports. He might be a monster option or drop off in avg because he's got to learn a new role on top of rucking and kpf. Either way he's going to be around the ground more than when he was last season with a fit Darcy.

Cameron. No longer has Cox. He's doing it alone now. New rules might hinder him anyways. Frampton was drafted as a ruck so he might be that ruck chop out tandem.

Blicavs & Stanley. Wouldn't be surprised depending how the season goes Geelong look at changing their rucks around again. SDK got booted out of the ruck because he wasn't strong enough to compete.

Grundy will be good. He's improved himself around the ground that he can compete.

Briggs might be an option.