What if Dean Cox ....

[charliesheen]

imo, if your assuming cox would average 120 or above your better off just starting him from the get go.  more likely to start off strongly I think and go backwards slightly in 2nd half.

[Torress]

I still think Cox will have a great SC year, its just i think i can save money with berger and mcevoy, even though cox may average 10 more points than them

That's what I mean purple, is 10 points more a week really worth the extra cash you need to spend.

yes.  10 ppg over other rucks is worth it over 22 rounds, even if he misses a game or 2.

well CS i agree, 10ppg advantage over next best ruck is worth it. i'd pick him if i knew this would happen! if he averages 120 he is worth a start. i don't think any other ruck could or will get a 120+ average in 2012 besides cox.
we are all expecting big scores from alot of ruckman this season! the more i think about it set and forget is alot better when going for overall. but you gotta nail other picks and find some value elswhere

[Swallow12]

He woud have to average 125 to be worth over that period so no for me.. As a side note when he got 165 against North he was up against pedo, as Goldy, Hmac and Petrie were all out

[charliesheen]

He woud have to average 125 to be worth over that period so no for me.. As a side note when he got 165 against North he was up against pedo, as Goldy, Hmac and Petrie were all out

125?  What do you think the other top 4 rucks will average?

[Impromptu]

He woud have to average 125 to be worth over that period so no for me.. As a side note when he got 165 against North he was up against pedo, as Goldy, Hmac and Petrie were all out

Also when he scored 200+ he kicked the winning goal.

[lozza63]

There seems so much talk of cheaping out on rucks this year, makes me wonder what has changed as this was rarely an option in the past. The byes or MPP I don't think make that much of a difference is it primarily value? And if so is this really much of a difference to prior years?

Last year only Mummy was anywhere near the likes of Sandi/Cox - Cox especially wa such a bargain priced at 88 and Sandi seemed a shoe in for 110+ = set and forget. The second point being that Leuy/Goldy/mcEvoy were all avg around the 60s and based on that no one was going to take a risk.
2011 saw changes to to points scoring for rucks as regards to hitouts - which massively boosted their scores. Now we have Coxy priced at 122 and people are baulking at the possibility of him repeating last season's effort.
Young rucks such as Leuy/McEvoy/Jacobs seem safe 100 point options, Sandi's toe and new coach could affect his TOG.

Finally Smith in his first year avg as well as many mids - prompting us to look at this option possibly happening again - my 2c worth.

[charliesheen]

I hear this mentioned a lot, what were the changes in regards to hit outs?

[Obese Arachnid]

There seems so much talk of cheaping out on rucks this year, makes me wonder what has changed as this was rarely an option in the past. The byes or MPP I don't think make that much of a difference is it primarily value? And if so is this really much of a difference to prior years?

I think the the reason many are considering this option is the abundance of rookies likely to play games this year & score well.

In previous years R3 & R4 were not as valuable. 2 prems, a rookie likely to get some games & basically a dud. The last two unlikely to make you much cash.

This year is diff, last yr a bit as well. The new teams mean a certain starting ruck (Z.Smith), this year Giles. Throw in O.Steph (with injury to Simpson) & you have two cheap rucks that'll play a lot. Then you can pick a mid pricer & drive cash from your rucks for once!

Not saying it's the right method or wrong, just why ppl might be considering it.

[lozza63]

I hear this mentioned a lot, what were the changes in regards to hit outs?

Charlie i seem to recall ruckmen being awarded 1 point for every hitout (pretty sure it worked that way in DT prior to '11) and 3 points "hitout to advantage" - mate i cant give you the reference to that sadly at the moment but pretty sure that's correct.

[Swallow12]

He woud have to average 125 to be worth over that period so no for me.. As a side note when he got 165 against North he was up against pedo, as Goldy, Hmac and Petrie were all out

125?  What do you think the other top 4 rucks will average?

I'm not sure about about top 4, but I think Sandi can get over 125 and I think the 1 prem 3 rookies rucks is the way to go, so Cox would have to average a lot to convince me to have him from the start

[SydneyRox]

I hear this mentioned a lot, what were the changes in regards to hit outs?

Charlie i seem to recall ruckmen being awarded 1 point for every hitout (pretty sure it worked that way in DT prior to '11) and 3 points "hitout to advantage" - mate i cant give you the reference to that sadly at the moment but pretty sure that's correct.

Can anyone confirm this point scoring?

[charliesheen]

I'm not sure about about top 4, but I think Sandi can get over 125 and I think the 1 prem 3 rookies rucks is the way to go, so Cox would have to average a lot to convince me to have him from the start

Yes this is exactly why I asked what you think the 3rd and 4th best ruckman will average. You can't just say "cox will need to average a lot more", without quantifying what the others will average.

IMO, if you think Sandilands and Cox will both average 120 (doesn't even have to be above that), you would start both from the get go.

People are fixated with this 3 rookie ruck idea without even thinking it through. 

[meow meow]

I'm taking it a step further and not playing any rucks this year.

[Swallow12]

He woud have to average 125 to be worth over that period so no for me.. As a side note when he got 165 against North he was up against pedo, as Goldy, Hmac and Petrie were all out

125?  What do you think the other top 4 rucks will average?

I'm not sure about about top 4, but I think Sandi can get over 125 and I think the 1 prem 3 rookies rucks is the way to go, so Cox would have to average a lot to convince me to have him from the start

Sorry, okay I believe there will be one or two ruckmen over 120 (Cox/Sandi/Goldy), and another two over 115 (Goldy/Mumford/other)

[Swallow12]

I have to say charliesheen you are ruining my team structure.. I'm not convinced Cox will average over 120 but I'm almost considering him for hopefully something above 116