R3 - arguably the most important single position this year.

[tor01doc]

With big old Mr 211 Turftoe likely to take R2 and even R1 this year, having a viable back up is going to be vital.

He will probably miss the odd game. He may become a keeper. He will need back up in your team.

Which cheap and nasty rucker will get games to fill the all important R3 slot?

How much are you willing to spend to ensure you get a viable R3?

Will you be happy copping the odd rucking donut?

Bring it on.

[GCSkiwi]

With big old Mr 211 Turftoe likely to take R2 and even R1 this year, having a viable back up is going to be vital.

He will probably miss the odd game. He may become a keeper. He will need back up in your team.

Which cheap and nasty rucker will get games to fill the all important R3 slot?

How much are you willing to spend to ensure you get a viable R3?

Will you be happy copping the odd rucking donut?

Bring it on.

Nankervis or Derickx (or even both, as it is at the moment) for me. Looking like the only rookie options with a decent chance of game time between them. How much am I willing to spend? As little as possible. Though I was toying with the idea of Hickey or HMac as an R3 but they way I see it if Sandi goes down long term I'll just trade to one of them anyway. I'm already counting on trading out Sandi, if he stays all season it's a blessing. So why pick another 300k player I'll inevitably use another trade on anyway? I'll cop a ruck donut round 10 but have the rest of the field make up my 18 ;) but ideally no, I don't want a straight donut. If Sandi is out but looks like it's just a rest and none of my bench are playing, I'll have a small cry  :'(

Cross that bridge when we get to it, if it's round 9 or so I may look at trading in Goldy then anyway.

[_wato]

Yeah Derickx is looking like he's just ahead and is most likely to play Round 1, considering Tippett won't be ready and Nankervis didn't play the other night. I know it's only NAB but it's concerning.

Will be interesting to see whether try go with a Pyke/Derickx or Pyke/Tippett combo for the whole year. I'm liking the second choice, simply because of Franklin/Reid being able to hold their own up forward.

[shaker]

Not willing to spend much on R3 best hopes are with Sydney or the Bombers or maybe Carlton if Micks love of Wood continues but that one is slim , with the rolling lockout you should be able to avoid a donut if you go with no cover and are paying attention cheers

[RaisyDaisy]

I've had both Nankervis and Derickx sitting on my ruck bench for a really long time now. I figure one of them might get games and be backup, and if one plays, the other becomes my Loophole if required

[Ringo]

Nice perspective Doc.

Interesting that no one has yet mentioned the R/F combination. Is it worth it this year given the forward talent that is around.  Dixon and Hale would be the 2 standouts at the moment with Bellchambers a possibility when he returns. Personally can not see any holding down a perma forward position in final team.

Think the realistic option is a wait and see on Sandi and then make decision as there are suitable options around same price.

Thurlow will more than likely be one of my rucks if he is promoted to cover Bellchambers.  Should make cash from a low base as well.

[stew42]

Not willing to spend much on R3 best hopes are with Sydney or the Bombers or maybe Carlton if Micks love of Wood continues but that one is slim , with the rolling lockout you should be able to avoid a donut if you go with no cover and are paying attention cheers

Phrasing.

[Danzac]

At the moment I'm going Sandi - HMac/Hickey - Derickx - Loophole donut
Hale is my F5 as cover

[Grufflez]

And if Sandilands plays 2 games then gets rested..then plays 2 games then gets rested...and none of your rookies get named..what then? trade to who? another cheap ruck? will that cheap ruck be a keeper?...i see no logic here other than lets all hope Sandi doesn't get rested or injured.

[Gigantor]

I like your thinking Danzac!
The way I look at it, Hale with a 80-85 ave at F6 later in the year isnt the worst outcome in the world especially in he saves you from a few donuts or lost ruck trades.

[tor01doc]

And if Sandilands plays 2 games then gets rested..then plays 2 games then gets rested...and none of your rookies get named..what then? trade to who? another cheap ruck? will that cheap ruck be a keeper?...i see no logic here other than lets all hope Sandi doesn't get rested or injured.

This is why I want your highly esteemed opinions.

[GoLions]

And if Sandilands plays 2 games then gets rested..then plays 2 games then gets rested...and none of your rookies get named..what then? trade to who? another cheap ruck? will that cheap ruck be a keeper?...i see no logic here other than lets all hope Sandi doesn't get rested or injured.

Freos draw before the byes:
Pies (Away)
Suns (Home)
Hawks (Away)
Bombers (Home)
Swans (Away)
Roos (Home)
Eagles (Away/Home)
Port (Away)
Cats (Home)

If they're going to rest him, it would be for the away games one would imagine. Their away games are against Pies, Hawks, Swans, Eagles (not really though), Port. They will want to be winning as many of these games as possible as apart from the Eagles, these were all top 8 teams last year. Can only see him rested against Port for their away games, but will depend on how they're going.
As for the home games, they play the Suns, Bombers, Roos, Cats. Suns match is in RD2, so doubt he'll get rested that early in the season. Bombers were technically top 8 last year, so don't think they'll rest him there. Roos have potential to finish top 8 easily, so would be a very risky match to drop him, especially with Goldy rucking for North. And Cats is a big match and probably would be seen as a must win for the byes.

I guess my point is that IMO they will only rest him if he's not 100% fit, and not just for the sake of resting him.

[Gigantor]

And if Sandilands plays 2 games then gets rested..then plays 2 games then gets rested...and none of your rookies get named..what then? trade to who? another cheap ruck? will that cheap ruck be a keeper?...i see no logic here other than lets all hope Sandi doesn't get rested or injured.

Freos draw before the byes:
Pies (Away)
Suns (Home)
Hawks (Away)
Bombers (Home)
Swans (Away)
Roos (Home)
Eagles (Away/Home)
Port (Away)
Cats (Home)

If they're going to rest him, it would be for the away games one would imagine. Their away games are against Pies, Hawks, Swans, Eagles (not really though), Port. They will want to be winning as many of these games as possible as apart from the Eagles, these were all top 8 teams last year. Can only see him rested against Port for their away games, but will depend on how they're going.
As for the home games, they play the Suns, Bombers, Roos, Cats. Suns match is in RD2, so doubt he'll get rested that early in the season. Bombers were technically top 8 last year, so don't think they'll rest him there. Roos have potential to finish top 8 easily, so would be a very risky match to drop him, especially with Goldy rucking for North. And Cats is a big match and probably would be seen as a must win for the byes.

I guess my point is that IMO they will only rest him if he's not 100% fit, and not just for the sake of resting him.

+1
I think the worst you might cop is a vest a 3/4 time if the dockers are dominating

[RaisyDaisy]

I feel like a lot of people are being extremely overly worried about Sandi

All this talk about him getting rested, seriously how often has been rested in the past? His been injured

GL - Excellent info. No chance he gets "rested" at all

Hasn't missed a beat all preseason, played NAB matches which he never does in the past, the guy is as fit as his been in years. If he gets injured and goes down then we trade him, but all this concern about resting and not even making it to the byes is so over the top

Premo R1, Sandi R2, Rookie who gets named at R3, whoever the hell you want for loophole purposes at R4

No need for DPP this year, don't let some borderline average scorer like Hale or Dixon take up a valuable spot in your forward line this year just because "Sandi might get rested".

Back your 2 starting rucks to play every week, and if one of them goes down then perhaps we might have a rookie at r3 who is playing to cover, or just trade out the injured starting ruck. Id rather burn a trade and maintain solid rucks, then let someone like Hale or Dixon take up one of my valuable forward spots

Easy :)

[Gigantor]

Well this thread has certainly changed my opinion!
See you later Hale, get the hell out of my forward line you bum!!