KFC SuperCoach 2020: First take on SuperCoach rucks
The top two scorers in SuperCoach last year were both ruckman, but are they the smartest selections this year? Here’s our quick guide to ruck premiums, bargains and rookies.
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The ruck could be the easiest position on the ground to fill in KFC SuperCoach. Or the hardest.
The top two scorers in SuperCoach last year were both ruckman — Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. So you just pick them, right?
Well, it’s not that simple. The both have massive price tags and will gobble up $1.4 million — for just two players.
They have been kings of SuperCoach for the past 2-3 years, but it’s very unusual for the same players to stay at the top of the ruck pile for long.
Then there’s the issue of Collingwood and Melbourne having a bye in the same week, potentially leaving us without a ruck division in Round 13.
So, what are our other options? Or is the smart play to just back in the scoring goliaths? Here’s our quick take on the 2020 ruck stocks in SuperCoach.
HIGH ROLLERS
Brodie Grundy (Coll) $705,900
It would be a huge gamble to start without the topscoring player in the game, even if he puts a massive hole in your bank balance. Averaged 130-plus in 2018 and 2019 and should be in your captaincy plans each week, topping 150 five times last season.
Max Gawn (Melb) $697,100
To those entertaining the idea of leaving Gawn out of their starting line-up, may we draw your attention to the last game he played, when he had 26 disposals, 41 hitouts, three goals and 212 SuperCoach points in Round 23 last year.
Todd Goldstein (NM) $609,400
Provided good value last year, motoring home with a Grundy-like average of 136 points a game after the Kangaroos’ bye until he ran into Gawn in the final round. Saves you a bit of money compared to the two ruck behemoths, but is it worth the lost points?
Rowan Marshall (StK) $598,700
A revelation last season, Marshall was one of the best SuperCoach buys of 2019 after boosting his average from 63 to 110. But that was when we could pick him as a forward. Available as a ruckman only in 2020 he would need to improve again to justify the high price tag and that might be tough now he’s sharing the job with recruit Paddy Ryder.
Scott Lycett (Port) $550,600
Had a crazy purple patch last year when he scored 165 and 180 in consecutive weeks but threw in three scores of 56 or fewer. Could shine in the absence of Ryder and shapes as a good option in SuperCoach Draft if you miss the big two.
MORE SUPERCOACH RUCK ANALYSIS:
SuperCoach 2020: Why young Bulldog Tim English is set for a breakout season
BARGAIN BUYS
Nic Naitanui (WC) $457,800
Nic Nat has a very SuperCoach friendly game that allows him to score well even if he doesn’t get a lot of the ball — scoring via hitouts to advantage, clearances and contested possessions. Returned from injury for last year’s finals and should be right for Round 1.
Sam Jacobs (GWS) $348,400
His SuperCoach stocks have tumbled since 2014 when he averaged 115 points a game, last year being overtaken at the Crows by young ruckman Reilly O’Brien. But it might be a different story at the Giants, where he’s set to reclaim the No.1 mantle. Not hard to think of ways to spend the $350k saved compared ton Grundy or Gawn.
Jon Patton (Haw) $337,000 RUCK/FWD
This would be a left-field move but the former Giant is cheap (and risky) after missing all of last season, and his dual-position status could be very handy, especially when Grundy and Gawn have the bye (you could trade him to one of them the next week when the Hawks have the week off). If you’re going to pick him do it in the forward line and put a cheap RUCK/FWD on your ruck bench.
Tim English (WB) 4448,400
Click here to read a persuasive case of why English is set to jump into the elite ruck category in 2020. A nugget: the young big man averaged 97.5 points a game over the final month of last season. Also benefits from one of the AFL’s best midfield brigades to tap the ball to.
ROOKIES
Darcy Cameron (Coll) $123,900 RUCK/FWD
Speaking of cheap ruck forwards, Collingwood’s mature age ruck recruit is the leading contender to get games of the cheap SuperCoach 2020 ruck crop. Cameron starred in the NEAFL and the Pies think he can be a tall forward target and give Grundy a breather.
MORE SUPERCOACH TIPS:
KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals his 2020 team
The case for and against three KFC SuperCoach breakout contenders
10 SuperCoach champions available for the lowest price in years
Golden rules: The 23 do’s and don’ts of KFC SuperCoach AFL
Lloyd Meek (Frem) $123,900
Back-up big man moves closer to an AFL debut with the retirement of Aaron Sandilands. Dockers are talking up his pre-season and Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb both have had injury problems in the past. Watch closely.
Matthew Conroy (GC) $102,400
If you don’t plan on using your bench ruckman on the field, it makes sense to get the cheapest player available and that is young Sun Conroy. Having a player you know won’t score can actually be very useful when implementing the vice-captain loophole.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: First take on SuperCoach rucks