Position 2026 Rucks

Obese Arachnid · Feb 21, 2026

Ed_Gein said:
Still think if all rucks are going to struggle under the new rules, Xerri will be the one hardest hit.

Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong here.

If you purely look at it from a statistical perspective amongst the top tier rucks Xerri clearly leads the way in clearances and tackles. Ie: He relies on stoppages to generate his points more than the others. And if the SANFL stats show there were 25% less stoppages last season...

Xerri only had 33 marks last season, next worst was Grundy on 74. English, Gawn, Cameron et al have over 100. I feel they have more potential to hold their value or score more because they do more around the ground.

Might not be the best way to look at things? Just how I'm seeing it, though.

But the draw, the draw!!! :shrug:

Deliverance · Feb 21, 2026

Ed_Gein said:
Still think if all rucks are going to struggle under the new rules, Xerri will be the one hardest hit.

Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong here.

If you purely look at it from a statistical perspective amongst the top tier rucks Xerri clearly leads the way in clearances and tackles. Ie: He relies on stoppages to generate his points more than the others. And if the SANFL stats show there were 25% less stoppages last season...

Xerri only had 33 marks last season, next worst was Grundy on 74. English, Gawn, Cameron et al have over 100. I feel they have more potential to hold their value or score more because they do more around the ground.

Might not be the best way to look at things? Just how I'm seeing it, though.

It won't be 25% in AFL. SANFL never had insufficient intent rule in place before the change.

toxic · Feb 21, 2026

Deliverance said:
It won't be 25% in AFL. SANFL never had insufficient intent rule in place before the change.

S o it'll be 30% or more ???

Deliverance · Feb 21, 2026

toxic said:
S o it'll be 30% or more ???

Nah, should be less as AFL was already giving insufficient attempt frees instead of throw ins.

toxic · Feb 21, 2026

Deliverance said:
Nah, should be less as AFL was already giving insufficient attempt frees instead of throw ins.

Be very interesting in preseason data.

Including HTA numbers

My eye test says big reduction in numbers

Petrify · Feb 21, 2026

Okay friends given our collective headache I grabbed every publicly available statistic and analysed exactly where every ruck scores their points from. I made some assumptions that we'll have a 25% stoppage reduction as seen in SAFL, and some other assumptions around where things like tackles are most likely to occur.

This is an estimation of the impact of the new ruck changes. I cant be bothered formatting it to be super pretty and because I'm giving yall this info for free I expect nobody to complain!

You want to look for rucks with a low 'drop' value, or if you're lazy just look at their 2026 EST and use their current price to decide if that's worth it or not.

2026 Ruck Analysis - Impact of 25% Stoppage Reduction

Player | Team | Price | GP | 2025 Avg | 2026 Est | Drop | Main Scoring Sources
--------------------|------|----------|----|----------|----------|-------|--------------------------------------------
Max Gawn | MEL | $689,600 | 23 | 127.4 | 109.6 | 17.9 | Hitouts/Ruck (46%), Marking (17%), Ground ball (12%)
Tristan Xerri | NTH | $687,300 | 20 | 126.9 | 106.9 | 20.0 | Hitouts/Ruck (49%), Tackles (17%), Ground ball (16%)
Brodie Grundy | SYD | $677,900 | 22 | 125.3 | 105.6 | 19.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (47%), Ground ball (17%), Tackles (10%)
Luke Jackson | FRE | $611,200 | 21 | 113.5 | 101.2 | 12.4 | Hitouts/Ruck (27%), Ground ball (19%), Tackles (12%)
Darcy Cameron | COL | $602,300 | 25 | 109.7 | 95.4 | 14.3 | Hitouts/Ruck (40%), Marking (17%), Kicking (13%)
Tim English | WBD | $600,900 | 23 | 111.0 | 98.2 | 12.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (35%), Marking (16%), Kicking (14%)
Rowan Marshall | STK | $572,400 | 23 | 105.8 | 92.5 | 13.2 | Hitouts/Ruck (36%), Tackles (15%), Ground ball (15%)
Jarrod Witts | GCS | $568,500 | 24 | 103.8 | 86.9 | 16.9 | Hitouts/Ruck (54%), Ground ball (13%), Tackles (11%)
Lloyd Meek | HAW | $550,500 | 25 | 102.0 | 86.5 | 15.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (49%), Ground ball (17%), Tackles (14%)
Toby Nankervis | RIC | $529,600 | 22 | 97.7 | 82.5 | 15.2 | Hitouts/Ruck (48%), Ground ball (18%), Tackles (13%)
Tom De Koning | STK | $524,200 | 22 | 96.9 | 83.4 | 13.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (44%), Ground ball (14%), Marking (12%)
Reilly O'Brien | ADE | $524,200 | 25 | 94.3 | 78.3 | 16.0 | Hitouts/Ruck (56%), Tackles (13%), Ground ball (11%)
Sean Darcy | FRE | $517,600 | 17 | 78.1 | 64.5 | 13.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (14%), Ground ball (14%)
Jordon Sweet | PTA | $471,700 | 19 | 87.2 | 71.3 | 15.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (61%), Tackles (15%), Ground ball (12%)
Matt Flynn | WCE | $447,300 | 18 | 82.7 | 71.4 | 11.3 | Hitouts/Ruck (40%), Marking (20%), Ground ball (17%)
Bailey J. Williams | WCE | $431,700 | 16 | 52.1 | 46.0 | 6.1 | Hitouts/Ruck (32%), Ground ball (19%), Marking (13%)
Mark Blicavs | GEE | $430,000 | 25 | 81.5 | 72.5 | 9.0 | Ground ball (23%), Hitouts/Ruck (22%), Marking (16%)
Kieren Briggs | GWS | $429,500 | 20 | 81.3 | 67.6 | 13.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (13%), Ground ball (12%)
Darcy Fort | BRL | $429,100 | 21 | 79.3 | 66.8 | 12.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (48%), Ground ball (18%), Tackles (14%)
Marc Pittonet | CAR | $407,700 | 7 | 83.7 | 70.3 | 13.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (50%), Ground ball (16%), Tackles (14%)
Sam Draper | BRL | $396,600 | 5 | 91.6 | 81.9 | 9.7 | Hitouts/Ruck (30%), Marking (18%), Ground ball (12%)
Jake Riccardi | GWS | $372,800 | 20 | 70.2 | 64.5 | 5.7 | Marking (21%), Tackles (17%), Hitouts/Ruck (15%)
Rhys Stanley | GEE | $353,300 | 19 | 64.2 | 55.5 | 8.7 | Hitouts/Ruck (42%), Ground ball (20%), Marking (12%)
Dante Visentini | PTA | $300,300 | 8 | 55.5 | 45.9 | 9.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (20%), Ground ball (19%)

Notes:

2026 Est assumes 25% reduction in stoppages across the board
Stoppage scoring includes: hitouts to advantage, ruck hardball gets, gathers from hitout, clearance disposals, stoppage ground ball gets, and ~40% of tackles
Main Scoring Sources shows top 3 categories by estimated contribution
Players with fewer than 5 games in 2025 excluded

Deliverance · Feb 21, 2026

toxic said:
Be very interesting in preseason data.

Including HTA numbers

My eye test says big reduction in numbers

Yeah will be good to compare community series matches and OR year on year.

Petrify · Feb 21, 2026

After thinking even more... It's not just the rucks who are going to suffer from less stoppages. I need to apply my method to everyone and see who is hit the least hard relatively...

rocker_oz33 · Feb 21, 2026

Obese Arachnid said:
Jump or pole vault?

When we went up to the GC couple years back.
We seen the cats vs the Suns.

There were a group of young kids i called the Chol boys .They had a jump each spelling Mabior .They got excited every time he touched the fooy.
If i was in charge you know what there jumpers would spell

.

rocker_oz33 · Feb 21, 2026

toxic said:
Be very interesting in preseason data.

Including HTA numbers

My eye test says big reduction in numbers

I thought last touch was just last touch you punch/spoil it out a free was to be paid.

But it seems there still going to be stoppages.

I guess we know more duing the Wizard cup.

Nelso · Feb 21, 2026

rocker_oz33 said:
I thought last touch was just last touch you punch/spoil it out a free was to be paid.

But it seems there still going to be stoppages.

I guess we know more duing the Wizard cup.

Last touch is only for kicks and handballs that go out of bounds.

If you fumble the ball or spoil the ball, it will be throw in.

If there is any doubt about anything, the ball will be thrown in.

rocker_oz33 · Feb 21, 2026

Nelso said:
Last touch is only for kicks and handballs that go out of bounds.

If you fumble the ball or spoil the ball, it will be throw in.

If there is any doubt about anything, the ball will be thrown in.

Righto .

So not a huge difference.

MISFITS · Feb 21, 2026

Jiska said:
Jackson handicapped by Hodor otherwise he’d be a lock. TDK always injured. Cameron is a no for me.

I’m wondering if Darcy will keep his spot.
Surely the new ruck rules will will effect his role

rocker_oz33 · Feb 21, 2026

MISFITS said:
I’m wondering if Darcy will keep his spot.
Surely the new ruck rules will will effect his role

Extra player with 5 man bench .
Some teams will go Extra big guy.
Some teams might do it differently .

Jiska · Feb 22, 2026

Petrify said:
Okay friends given our collective headache I grabbed every publicly available statistic and analysed exactly where every ruck scores their points from. I made some assumptions that we'll have a 25% stoppage reduction as seen in SAFL, and some other assumptions around where things like tackles are most likely to occur.

This is an estimation of the impact of the new ruck changes. I cant be bothered formatting it to be super pretty and because I'm giving yall this info for free I expect nobody to complain!

You want to look for rucks with a low 'drop' value, or if you're lazy just look at their 2026 EST and use their current price to decide if that's worth it or not.

2026 Ruck Analysis - Impact of 25% Stoppage Reduction

Player | Team | Price | GP | 2025 Avg | 2026 Est | Drop | Main Scoring Sources
--------------------|------|----------|----|----------|----------|-------|--------------------------------------------
Max Gawn | MEL | $689,600 | 23 | 127.4 | 109.6 | 17.9 | Hitouts/Ruck (46%), Marking (17%), Ground ball (12%)
Tristan Xerri | NTH | $687,300 | 20 | 126.9 | 106.9 | 20.0 | Hitouts/Ruck (49%), Tackles (17%), Ground ball (16%)
Brodie Grundy | SYD | $677,900 | 22 | 125.3 | 105.6 | 19.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (47%), Ground ball (17%), Tackles (10%)
Luke Jackson | FRE | $611,200 | 21 | 113.5 | 101.2 | 12.4 | Hitouts/Ruck (27%), Ground ball (19%), Tackles (12%)
Darcy Cameron | COL | $602,300 | 25 | 109.7 | 95.4 | 14.3 | Hitouts/Ruck (40%), Marking (17%), Kicking (13%)
Tim English | WBD | $600,900 | 23 | 111.0 | 98.2 | 12.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (35%), Marking (16%), Kicking (14%)
Rowan Marshall | STK | $572,400 | 23 | 105.8 | 92.5 | 13.2 | Hitouts/Ruck (36%), Tackles (15%), Ground ball (15%)
Jarrod Witts | GCS | $568,500 | 24 | 103.8 | 86.9 | 16.9 | Hitouts/Ruck (54%), Ground ball (13%), Tackles (11%)
Lloyd Meek | HAW | $550,500 | 25 | 102.0 | 86.5 | 15.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (49%), Ground ball (17%), Tackles (14%)
Toby Nankervis | RIC | $529,600 | 22 | 97.7 | 82.5 | 15.2 | Hitouts/Ruck (48%), Ground ball (18%), Tackles (13%)
Tom De Koning | STK | $524,200 | 22 | 96.9 | 83.4 | 13.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (44%), Ground ball (14%), Marking (12%)
Reilly O'Brien | ADE | $524,200 | 25 | 94.3 | 78.3 | 16.0 | Hitouts/Ruck (56%), Tackles (13%), Ground ball (11%)
Sean Darcy | FRE | $517,600 | 17 | 78.1 | 64.5 | 13.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (14%), Ground ball (14%)
Jordon Sweet | PTA | $471,700 | 19 | 87.2 | 71.3 | 15.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (61%), Tackles (15%), Ground ball (12%)
Matt Flynn | WCE | $447,300 | 18 | 82.7 | 71.4 | 11.3 | Hitouts/Ruck (40%), Marking (20%), Ground ball (17%)
Bailey J. Williams | WCE | $431,700 | 16 | 52.1 | 46.0 | 6.1 | Hitouts/Ruck (32%), Ground ball (19%), Marking (13%)
Mark Blicavs | GEE | $430,000 | 25 | 81.5 | 72.5 | 9.0 | Ground ball (23%), Hitouts/Ruck (22%), Marking (16%)
Kieren Briggs | GWS | $429,500 | 20 | 81.3 | 67.6 | 13.8 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (13%), Ground ball (12%)
Darcy Fort | BRL | $429,100 | 21 | 79.3 | 66.8 | 12.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (48%), Ground ball (18%), Tackles (14%)
Marc Pittonet | CAR | $407,700 | 7 | 83.7 | 70.3 | 13.5 | Hitouts/Ruck (50%), Ground ball (16%), Tackles (14%)
Sam Draper | BRL | $396,600 | 5 | 91.6 | 81.9 | 9.7 | Hitouts/Ruck (30%), Marking (18%), Ground ball (12%)
Jake Riccardi | GWS | $372,800 | 20 | 70.2 | 64.5 | 5.7 | Marking (21%), Tackles (17%), Hitouts/Ruck (15%)
Rhys Stanley | GEE | $353,300 | 19 | 64.2 | 55.5 | 8.7 | Hitouts/Ruck (42%), Ground ball (20%), Marking (12%)
Dante Visentini | PTA | $300,300 | 8 | 55.5 | 45.9 | 9.6 | Hitouts/Ruck (58%), Tackles (20%), Ground ball (19%)

Notes:

2026 Est assumes 25% reduction in stoppages across the board

Stoppage scoring includes: hitouts to advantage, ruck hardball gets, gathers from hitout, clearance disposals, stoppage ground ball gets, and ~40% of tackles

Main Scoring Sources shows top 3 categories by estimated contribution

Players with fewer than 5 games in 2025 excluded

Great data.

Gotta wonder how less stoppages affect midfielders as well. Less hard ball and contested ball technically.

LegendLewis · Feb 22, 2026

Jiska said:
Great data.

Gotta wonder how less stoppages affect midfielders as well. Less hard ball and contested ball technically.

Yeah theoretically its all about the ‘transitiion’ players this year…so
maybe we see a spike in scoring for wings, outside players and forwards (as ball could be going in quicker)?

Sherman41 · Feb 22, 2026

They’ve still got to score 3300 points…..someone has to get them.

Open free flowing footy in pre season, coaches will find a way to slow the game down in the season proper.

Think we collectively need to pump the breaks. I’ll be starting Gawn and Xerri and backing them in.

Reassess at end of round 2 as others have stated.

The_Steadier · Feb 22, 2026

Jiska said:
Jackson handicapped by Hodor otherwise he’d be a lock. TDK always injured. Cameron is a no for me.

Grundy gets around the ground well.

He'll lose value, but stabilise at a higher price than xerri and gawn I reckon.

Deliverance · Feb 22, 2026

Sherman41 said:
They’ve still got to score 3300 points…..someone has to get them.

Open free flowing footy in pre season, coaches will find a way to slow the game down in the season proper.

Think we collectively need to pump the breaks. I’ll be starting Gawn and Xerri and backing them in.

Reassess at end of round 2 as others have stated.

It's already happening. Players are slower to get up with the ball, allowing their rucks to reset.

Sydney Kicker · Feb 22, 2026

Sherman41 said:
They’ve still got to score 3300 points…..someone has to get them.

Open free flowing footy in pre season, coaches will find a way to slow the game down in the season proper.

Think we collectively need to pump the breaks. I’ll be starting Gawn and Xerri and backing them in.

Reassess at end of round 2 as others have stated.

This first line might be the simplest but most insightful comment of the whole preseason. It's not a reduction in points, just a (potential) redistribution. Without evidence, I'm going to guess that the redistribution won't be massive but some players will certainly be affected a bit.

Maybe Tomorrow · Feb 22, 2026

Sherman41 said:
They’ve still got to score 3300 points…..someone has to get them.

Open free flowing footy in pre season, coaches will find a way to slow the game down in the season proper.

Think we collectively need to pump the breaks. I’ll be starting Gawn and Xerri and backing them in.

Reassess at end of round 2 as others have stated.

This is a great post, completely agree.

4tune8 · Feb 22, 2026

jdstorm said:
Best 18 for 4 of the first 6 weeks does a lot of heavy lifting

Even if you had 2 rookie ruck 0s the first 2 weeks your only giving up 120 points across the first 2 rounds thanks to flex

Edit. Suprised how appealing that sounds. A dual rookie ruck setup hmm

I'm a bit thick, could you please explain why you're giving up 120pts over the 1st two rounds?

Pure_Ownage · Feb 22, 2026

Ed_Gein said:
Still think if all rucks are going to struggle under the new rules, Xerri will be the one hardest hit.

Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong here.

If you purely look at it from a statistical perspective amongst the top tier rucks Xerri clearly leads the way in clearances and tackles. Ie: He relies on stoppages to generate his points more than the others. And if the SANFL stats show there were 25% less stoppages last season...

Xerri only had 33 marks last season, next worst was Grundy on 74. English, Gawn, Cameron et al have over 100. I feel they have more potential to hold their value or score more because they do more around the ground.

Might not be the best way to look at things? Just how I'm seeing it, though.

Gawn certainly (so long as the body holds up) has more potential to get marks around the ground (particularly intercepts) than xerri does which makes me worry about xerri under the new rules.
This is why I dont mind picking english-hes a poor actual ruckman (the changes to the centre square rule should help him) but he gets very involved in link up marks and kicks around the ground he should hold his scoring better i feel.

Pure_Ownage · Feb 22, 2026

Sherman41 said:
They’ve still got to score 3300 points…..someone has to get them.

Open free flowing footy in pre season, coaches will find a way to slow the game down in the season proper.

Think we collectively need to pump the breaks. I’ll be starting Gawn and Xerri and backing them in.

Reassess at end of round 2 as others have stated.

They do but some of the points are going to get redistributed so in theory with less stoppages transition players like running wings will probably score more than your traditional inside mid and some forwards scoring may go up. Rucks could potentially go down.

jdstorm · Feb 22, 2026

4tune8 said:
I'm a bit thick, could you please explain why you're giving up 120pts over the 1st two rounds?

Assuming rookies on average score 60 points and you get 0 points out of your ruck line

One Zero gets replaced by your “Flex” who this early in the season is essentially a rookie score.

So that leaves you with 1x score of Zero on field where another team would have their worst rookie who would count as 60.

60x2 rounds = 120 points

Then you get 4 rounds of best 18 so it doesn’t matter

If you manage to have at least one rookie ruck playing you give up less than that.

Then Best 18 for the next 4 rounds, so that wouldn’t matter. Then prices normalise and you upgrade first in rucks (or sideswap an injured premo)

Again this is a worst case scenario.

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