Ruck Coverage

[SilverLion]

Due to the lack of obvious options to cover our rucks this year, it seems many of us are going in with 2 proven ruck premos with no bench nor DPP link.

I thought it'd be worth discussing the possible options for coverage in the ruck, such as any rookies with a chance to play, or any R/Fs that could realistically turn out to be a good selection.

I'll start off by listing all of the R/Fs, aside from rookies, available for selection in 2018 (ala Nank, Ryder last year):

Cam Pedersen (MEL) $471,700
Rhys Stanley (GEEL) $412,800
Majak Daw (NM) $327,300
Shaun McKernan (ESS) $305,300
Mason Cox (COLL) $304,800
Wylie Buzza (GEEL) $261,400
Fraser McInnes (WCE) $255,900
Archie Smith (BRIS) $224,300

Now I'll be the first to admit that none of them seem to be exceptionally good options, especially when you factor in that the cheapest R/F rookie is $117,300. But could any of these guys push an 80+ average and play close to 22 games? Aside from Pedersen and probably Stanley due to their prices, if any of the others did that I think they could be a valid F6/7 and R3 coverage option. But I'm not confident any of them can.

Now, onto the 'cheap' options (<300k) (ala Witts last year). I won't list any R/Fs to avoid doubling up.

Dawson Simpson (GWS) $290,300
Scott Lycett (WCE) $277,100
Shaun Hampson (RICH) $272,100
Jonathn Ceglar (HAW) $266,500
Matthew Lobbe (CARL) $253,000
Ivan Soldo (RICH) $228,300
Andrew Phillips (CARL) $224,300
Reilly O'Brien (ADEL) $207,800

Similar to the R/Fs, if anyone in this group could average 80+ and play at least the first half of the year, then selecting them at R2/3 could easily be a viable option. IMO the only ones with a chance of doing that from this group are Simpson and Lycett, and they are both dependent on the injury status of the other ruck option(s) in their respective teams, so neither are options I would be confident with.

Lastly, are there any rookies that anyone thinks are a chance to line up Rd. 1 (ala Preuss last year)? Because if there is one, that would solve a lot of our problems  ;D

[shaker]

Would love to have cover but won't have enough cash to do it already struggling getting a team on the field I'm happy with lets see if there is enough cheap rookies that is about the only way I can see it happening for me

[Colty]

This is the final piece of deciding my structure. if no rookies are available I might just roll the dice with Kruez and Gawn

[RaisyDaisy]

I'm just going to chuck a cheap non playing ruck at R3 and use them as my loophole

If one of my starting rucks goes down, I trade them

With no good FWD/RUC options this year we need to adapt, and if that means putting aside a couple of trades for rucks then so be it

Not going to overthink this - will just back in my 2 prems to play all year and trade them if need be

EDIT: Will obviously pick someone like Darcy Cameron at 123k if he looks like a chance of getting a game

[Bully]

I'm just going to chuck a cheap non playing ruck at R3 and use them as my loophole

If one of my starting rucks goes down, I trade them

With no good FWD/RUC options this year we need to adapt, and if that means putting aside a couple of trades for rucks then so be it

Not going to overthink this - will just back in my 2 prems to play all year and trade them if need be

EDIT: Will obviously pick someone like Darcy Cameron at 123k if he looks like a chance of getting a game

The message from the Swans hierarchy is that Cameron is still a long way off a senior recall, would require Naismith and Sinclair to both go down.

[quinny88]

I'm just going to chuck a cheap non playing ruck at R3 and use them as my loophole

If one of my starting rucks goes down, I trade them

With no good FWD/RUC options this year we need to adapt, and if that means putting aside a couple of trades for rucks then so be it

Not going to overthink this - will just back in my 2 prems to play all year and trade them if need be

EDIT: Will obviously pick someone like Darcy Cameron at 123k if he looks like a chance of getting a game

The only 2 words that could ruin this is "late out"

[Ringo]

If I had faith in any of those R/F listed averaging 80+ would consider Noah Balta at R3 but can not see it so happy to put aside injury trades. Player would be my F4 and they would need to score well early.

[meow meow]

McKernan will be a good pick.

[petefisker]

Cox is permanent 22 now for pies, will be 70% fwd and 30% ruck.
His last hand full of games 2017 were a big improvement, especially marking.

Buzza, gee I love watching him play, could be so much better if he keeps developing.
Both selected JLT 1 today, watchlist for these 2.

Would be quite happy to swap christensen to one of these guys if they can go around 75+ , make money and give me the ruck cover.

[Ringo]

McKernan will be a good pick.

But will he  be guaranteed games. Looked at him and then seen the number of games he has played in his career and a big turnoff.  Fair enough had injuries but not a lot to instill confidence to start in forward line.

[ubeaut]

McKernan will be a good pick.

But will he  be guaranteed games. Looked at him and then seen the number of games he has played in his career and a big turnoff.  Fair enough had injuries but not a lot to instill confidence to start in forward line.

Surely meow is taking the piss (again)
Stewart,Daniher,Hooker, Stringer half the time.
McKernan is a depth back up fwd/ruck and would take an injury to 2 of Bellchambers/Leuenberger /Daniher/ Stewart/Hooker to stay in team.

[Goosey]

I deployed Pedersen for a portion of last year with some success, and usually I make having a DPP ruck forward a prerequisite; but so far this pre-season I haven't toyed with this option. Maybe because last year it was only a useful option for one week, but I guess it depends on how unlucky you are with your primary rucks as to whether carrying a DPP ruck in the forwards is truly worth it.

Ahh, don't you love Supercoach?!

[RoughRed]

so reading the wiseman oops ... wiseperson ... comment here it would appear to me that most are not considering ruck coverage but rather look to use the R3 as a loophole!

is that correct?

can anyone advise where WB Mr English is at re: getting game time this year

[Levi434]

so reading the wiseman oops ... wiseperson ... comment here it would appear to me that most are not considering ruck coverage but rather look to use the R3 as a loophole!

is that correct?

can anyone advise where WB Mr English is at re: getting game time this year

Can confirm that most will select the cheapest available ruck bench and loophole.

I really don't think English will play that much if at all this year. You'd suspect Trengrove, Campbell, Boyd, Roughead are all above him in the pecking order so even if he does play there wouldn't be much ruck time for him.

[DCAK]

so reading the wiseman oops ... wiseperson ... comment here it would appear to me that most are not considering ruck coverage but rather look to use the R3 as a loophole!

is that correct?

can anyone advise where WB Mr English is at re: getting game time this year

Yes that is correct.  Get on Olango (WC) @ $102k, has 12 Sunday games, will not play, perfect captain loophole option.