Position 2026 Rucks

[Obese Arachnid]

I'm going with my usual ruck strategy.

Forget & Regret.

 

[The Gulden Child]

If big X is scoring anything like a $700K plus stud he will be extremely hard to remove (think Grundy last year).

Grundy training reports indicate he is likely to keep his form up from last year. Sydney bye sux.

 

[NT.Thunder]

If the new ruck rules do impact the number of ruck contests then I think Max might be the lesser affected out of him and Xerri.

Xerri scoring is much more reliant on his follow-up tackling at the contest.

Max, like Tim English and Darcy Cameron, scores more from his marking and kicking.

I’d lean towards the premier ruckman for the last 5 years still being the pick of the bunch.

But it’s definitely a watch as to how severely ruck scoring is affected.

100% - rucks who score well through transition points will be less effected, that’s logical considering we already know there will be a xx% of less ruck contests around the ground.

Those that rely on points generated through HTA more and contested work like tackling in the contest I’d expect to regress.

It’s just how much is the question. Both Gawn and Grundy are a lot of money to bank into the starting 23 and pose risk without this knowledge.

For me I’ll hedge my bets and likely start a Gawn that I don’t expect to be hurt as much as a Xerri and Jackson/English depending on teams/injuries.

I mean Gawn was too old last year right, has to be too old this season then!

 

[A Bit Dusty]

The only Ruck that really interests me outside of Gawn & Xerri is TDK.
Priced at 96 and $524k I think he could go 110+ average this year but that Round 4 bye is a pain in the a$$.
I already have a few Saints and 1 GWS player so I don't really want any more to start with unfortunately.

 

[The Gulden Child]

The only Ruck that really interests me outside of Gawn & Xerri is TDK.
Priced at 96 and $524k I think he could go 110+ average this year but that Round 4 bye is a pain in the a$$.
I already have a few Saints and 1 GWS player so I don't really want any more to start with unfortunately.

It's hard to come up with a solid bye strategy. My team looks weak if I make allowances. Might need to use two boosts in the first half a dozen rounds.

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

It's hard to come up with a solid bye strategy. My team looks weak if I make allowances. Might need to use two boosts in the first half a dozen rounds.

You could...you know...

Give TDK the old... treatment.





BTW wheres that Roughie loving campaigner Judd_Magic

 

[WaynesWorld19]

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Freako comfirming the "Smash" stat isn't new.

 

[timtimtim]

View attachment 2524758

All I’m seeing is D.Visentini 3 votes

 

[SC fish]

View attachment 2524758

Does this mean we need to ditch Xerri?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Does this mean we need to ditch Xerri?

It would take a brave person, given NORTH's early fixture run ....I might have gambled, but English as a replacement will cause havoc to my Bye structures

 

[The_Steadier]

An extra bench spot this year + gawn getting on in years means max heath will get plenty of games this year I reckon.

I think he's worth paying the extra 100k over a floating donut ruck/fwd.

(Also the reason I'm not starting gawn)

 

[Seymour Skinner]

Freako comfirming the "Smash" stat isn't new.

What the hell is a smash

 

[A Bit Dusty]

DUAL RUCKS?

Sam Mitchell was directly asked about the potential of running two rucks this year and his answer certainly hinted that Hawthorn could lean into a two ruck setup in 2026. Even more telling was his suggestion that the new rules are likely to favour a player like Ned Reeves.

From a SuperCoach perspective, that single hint could bring Reeves into calculations. At his current price, he no longer looks like just a depth option, but rather a potential value play if Hawthorn commit to giving him meaningful ruck minutes. Hawthorn’s choice to sign him on despite heavy rival interest as well as the combination of potential better security and a favourable rule changes is exactly the type of preseason narrative that could precede a breakout selection.
What makes this even more intriguing is the broader implication across the competition. If Hawthorn believe the game is moving in a direction that rewards having two genuine rucks, there is every chance other clubs are already thinking along the same lines. That opens the door to a SuperCoach scenario where multiple cheap rucks may become viable at once and fundamentally challenging the traditional set and forget ruck strategy.

Instead of paying top dollar for two premiums, coaches may soon find themselves able to generate value from bargain priced big men who suddenly have real roles and scoring opportunity. It is still early, but if the league truly shifts this way, this could become one of the most important team structural trends of the 2026 season.

 

[The_Steadier]

DUAL RUCKS?

Sam Mitchell was directly asked about the potential of running two rucks this year and his answer certainly hinted that Hawthorn could lean into a two ruck setup in 2026. Even more telling was his suggestion that the new rules are likely to favour a player like Ned Reeves.

From a SuperCoach perspective, that single hint could bring Reeves into calculations. At his current price, he no longer looks like just a depth option, but rather a potential value play if Hawthorn commit to giving him meaningful ruck minutes. Hawthorn’s choice to sign him on despite heavy rival interest as well as the combination of potential better security and a favourable rule changes is exactly the type of preseason narrative that could precede a breakout selection.
What makes this even more intriguing is the broader implication across the competition. If Hawthorn believe the game is moving in a direction that rewards having two genuine rucks, there is every chance other clubs are already thinking along the same lines. That opens the door to a SuperCoach scenario where multiple cheap rucks may become viable at once and fundamentally challenging the traditional set and forget ruck strategy.

Instead of paying top dollar for two premiums, coaches may soon find themselves able to generate value from bargain priced big men who suddenly have real roles and scoring opportunity. It is still early, but if the league truly shifts this way, this could become one of the most important team structural trends of the 2026 season.

Yup.
The extra bench spot will definately have some clubs more likely to play 2 genuine rucks where they previously haven't.

Which ones?

Saints definately
Freo definately (but already did)
Hawks likely
Port possible?
Dees- i think decent possibility
Others??



Unlikely to play 2 genuine rucks?
Roos?
Pies?
Swans?
Others?

 

[Mofra]

What the hell is a smash

This fine beast

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

What the hell is a smash

Think it's when the ruck just bashes it forward.