Position 2026 Rucks

[Mofra]

Does anyone think there's potential for AFL coaches to simply not play any ruck whatsoever, leave a free hitout and just pick an extra mid (even a tagger), if they don't have a jumping ruck who can get around the ground?

Josh Dunkley / Brett Goodes dislike this.

I think the extra bench spot with rotations at the same cap mean fewer coaches may try this.

 

[Mofra]

This is a good thought... That could also lead to more intercept marks for some rucks.

Tim English for example, already a weapon for marking... If Sam Darcy takes all F50 stoppages, English gets to plant for any long kick out of defence. Could boost his scoring.

Sam Darcy is a better ruck than Timmy already so I'm happy enough with this plan. I did notice in SOO, Darcy mostly tries to grab the ball out of the ruck and he's a lot stronger this year so good luck to the no 2 rucks this year.

 

[jdstorm]

Rucks are generally considered the least effective and important role in the AFL. The Premiers rarely have the best ruck in the competition, so whilst I understand your position, if a club has a decent leaping ruck who can't get around the ground, and a stoppage ruck who can't leap, and neither of them can contribute much in other areas, do they bite the bullet and just say "well, we can try to amalgamate a serviceable ruck with two selections, or we play a genuine tall forward or defender, with a midfielder, and trust the extra around the stoppage to counter giving up the ruck?

There’s a bit of a misnomer here. Part of why good rucks are less valuable is because your average “poor” ruck is still pretty good. Especially when used in a negating role alongside a capable midfield.

Going in without a ruck is like going into a game without a Key Position defender. Against good teams you get destroyed.

I’d expect a lot of experimentation until they work out the best way to do this but my gut instinct is we will likely see Dual and even ruck trio setups

 

[Deliverance]

Does anyone think there's potential for AFL coaches to simply not play any ruck whatsoever, leave a free hitout and just pick an extra mid (even a tagger), if they don't have a jumping ruck who can get around the ground?

I can't see it happening. Gawn going up unopposed would be like a training drill and cebtre clearances would flow. Plus what does the 4th mid do? He's confined to his half of the circle, so can't defend the midfielders outside the circle. Unopposed ruck could also probably smash it close to an I50 as another option. I could see it as a once off surprise move in a local league, but not a game long strategy in AFL though.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

If McAndrew is named round one I can see him being worth the risk at R2. Balls of steel.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Just playing around with it. I think between McAndrew, Reidy and CDT (one of them forward) you'd hope one can score respectably for a rookie. Basically means I could swap Jackson for any player I want.

 

[Deliverance]

Just playing around with it. I think between McAndrew, Reidy and CDT (one of them forward) you'd hope one can score respectably for a rookie. Basically means I could swap Jackson for any player I want.

What about 2 of them, plus the best RF floating doughnut. You could loop them each week then.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

There’s a bit of a misnomer here. Part of why good rucks are less valuable is because your average “poor” ruck is still pretty good. Especially when used in a negating role alongside a capable midfield.

Going in without a ruck is like going into a game without a Key Position defender. Against good teams you get destroyed.

I’d expect a lot of experimentation until they work out the best way to do this but my gut instinct is we will likely see Dual and even ruck trio setups

There will be no dual/trio rucks unless the second one is athletic enough to play other positions.

 

[Boyd oh Boyd]

Thinking about TDK more and more. Ruck split is the only (and big) downside, but I think he's ready to explode. Sounds like the saints are clearly viewing him as number 1 ruck, new rules should suit him well, and if King isn't there or at his best he might get a few snags when forward.

Like with a few players, I'm waiting until we see it in round 0. If he looks good against Cameron I'm ready to commit.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

What about 2 of them, plus the best RF floating doughnut. You could loop them each week then.

Won't even matter for the first month anyway with those stupid byes. Rookie scores will drop out. Somehow talking myself into this.

 

[jdstorm]

Won't even matter for the first month anyway with those stupid byes. Rookie scores will drop out. Somehow talking myself into this.

Then after round 6 either Blackison or Nick Bryan will be Ruck eligible and playing as Essendon’s no 1 ruck

So potentially just start Blackison in Def/Flex to hedge

 

[iDon]

Then after round 6 either Blackison or Nick Bryan will be Ruck eligible and playing as Essendon’s no 1 ruck

So potentially just start Blackison in Def/Flex to hedge

Expensive hedge picking Blackison as an unknown ruck.

 

[Foxman98]

The other thing McAndrew now does is open up the bye players as a potential pick up over a hamstrung Gawn

I.e Reidy will be lucky to score 30-40 huge point loss McAndrew looks as if he can score that 75-80 in the early days to cover a Cameron or English at a decent enough level

 

[stavro#4]

Thinking about TDK more and more. Ruck split is the only (and big) downside, but I think he's ready to explode. Sounds like the saints are clearly viewing him as number 1 ruck, new rules should suit him well, and if King isn't there or at his best he might get a few snags when forward.

Like with a few players, I'm waiting until we see it in round 0. If he looks good against Cameron I'm ready to commit.

Having been down to watch proper Match sim, It will be TDK 70% of the time as ruck and Marshall for the other portion.

Even then, when the ball is down forward and TDK is resting, he is taking those ruck duties so Marshall sits behind the play.

Injury is the only thing stopping him from becoming the premier ruck - Opportunity is there and it's his. He has done the work over pre season.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Having been down to watch proper Match sim, It will be TDK 70% of the time as ruck and Marshall for the other portion.

Even then, when the ball is down forward and TDK is resting, he is taking those ruck duties so Marshall sits behind the play.

Injury is the only thing stopping him from becoming the premier ruck - Opportunity is there and it's his. He has done the work over pre season.

Didn't he sit out match sim with a claf issue recently? (I could be thinking of someone else though)

 

[stavro#4]

Didn't he sit out match sim with a claf issue recently? (I could be thinking of someone else though)

No mate. He had a calf and it held him out of match sim prior to Christmas. he has been ever present in the new year. He was restricted to gym and running pre Christmas.

very fit and very dominant. We have a number of track watchers on our board, that you can read their reviews on trainings and match sims. All have sung his praises and spoken about his dominance.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

No mate. He had a calf and it held him out of match sim prior to Christmas. he has been ever present in the new year. He was restricted to gym and running pre Christmas.

very fit and very dominant. We have a number of track watchers on our board, that you can read their reviews on trainings and match sims. All have sung his praises and spoken about his dominance.

I read those reviews. The St Kilda thread is good as there are a lot of reports I find yours among the best, but you have to take club boards with a gain of salt is all. Some proper optimistic nuffie stuff all over the site.

TdK I like, but he's never been a durable player, seems one that picks up niggles and it drops his level a lot. Will keep an eye on him though as these rule changes will help him a lot at CBA's.

I also have trust issues with his coach, but that's another story

 

[stavro#4]

I read those reviews. The St Kilda thread is good as there are a lot of reports I find yours among the best, but you have to take club boards with a gain of salt is all. Some proper optimistic nuffie stuff all over the site.

TdK I like, but he's never been a durable player, seems one that picks up niggles and it drops his level a lot. Will keep an eye on him though as these rule changes will help him a lot at CBA's.

I also have trust issues with his coach, but that's another story

I think ours are pretty grounded.

as I said, Injury will dictate his success. It won't be due to role or anything else and as much as ive rated Marshall and argued for him to be in the conversation as an AA in the past. TDK has monstered him and young Dodson - who we are very high on, this summer.

as for Ross. Well he loves rucks ... So talking about AFL Fantasy games, your probably not going to find someone better to have what should be the games best ruck in their side.

 

[Milanista28]

If McAndrew and Blakiston are round 1 rucks, then Cameron and Meek might be the top 2 scorers in round 1.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Very good Analysis by former MELB Ruck, Jeff White

Jeff White

Age

48

Ht

195cm

Wt

97kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.5

4star

K

8.2

3star

HB

6.3

4star

HO

18.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

6.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

1.6

2star

HO

3.0

5star

......it does reflect some of the tactics & ruck craft, the new rules will bring

It does make you think more about Cameron versus English

 

[54Dogs]

If McAndrew and Blakiston are round 1 rucks, then Cameron and Meek might be the top 2 scorers in round 1.

Unless Visentini plays for Port

 

[Petrify]

Feel like rucks are the biggest make or break this season. So hard to know what we're in for

 

[54Dogs]

If McAndrew is named round one I can see him being worth the risk at R2. Balls of steel.

What would the escape hatch be if he was dropped in Rd 2 or 3 for ROB?

 

[54Dogs]

Very good Analysis by former MELB Ruck, Jeff White ......it does reflect some of the tactics & ruck craft, the new rules will bring

It does make you think more about Cameron versus English

Thanks for posting, this is comfortably the best analysis of centre bounce ruck rules so far

 

[Juzzomac]

What would the escape hatch be if he was dropped in Rd 2 or 3 for ROB?

Best 18 R2 - 4 gives you a fair bit of time to assess the landscape tbf. Bound to have an underperforming premo/injury elsewhere over those 3 weeks that can correct it.