So given NN is spending less time in the centre square than the other rucks... do you think that increases or decreseas his effectivenes.
I'd be pretty confident that Sinclair and McInnes are dragging down the team average as opposed to increasing it.
As always with rucks - the advanced stats tell a far greater story - something unfortunately Joe Public doesn't get access to.
I think an argument can be made either way. Lycett and Sinclair are probably among the better relief rucks atm. They will generally ruck against other teams relief rucks, so it possible they're winning a good percentage of hitouts to advantage.
I think this comparison shows the flaw in the argument that less time in the ruck means more effectiveness of the number 1 ruck.
Naitanui attends 71% of centre bounces
In 38% of centre bounces WC will get a hitout to advantage.
For simplicity let's say Sinclair attends the other 29%. He has averages pretty handy 20 hitouts a game so he might reduce to HTA% a little
Bellchambers attends 60% of centre bounces
In 33% of centre bounces Essendon will get a hitout to advantage.
For simplicity let's say Carlisle attends the other 40%. He has averages 3 hitouts a game he's probably going to reduce the HTA% a lot.
Although saying all that I think NN is probably the best centre square ruckman in the game, because it allows him to use his leap far more than around the ground rucking. But I can't see NN being in the AA team atm.