The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Mid-price ruckmen analysis

The Phantom’s SuperCoach is in full swing. Today, it’s time for mid-price ruckmen. Can a mid-price big man solve the SuperCoach ruck dilemma? Or is there too much risk? The Phantom runs the rule over the best mid-priced options.

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders | Mid-price midfielders

• SuperCoach Draft: Top 50 rankings

The Phantom’s SuperCoach is in full swing. Today, it’s time for mid-price ruckmen. Can a mid-price big man solve the SuperCoach ruck dilemma? Or is there too much risk? The Phantom runs the rule over the best mid-priced options.

DON’T DO IT

Matthew Kreuzer

(Carlton $432,900)

Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer has gone in for minor knee surgery during the pre-season.

Kreuzer’s 2017 season was brilliant with the Carlton big man playing 21 games and posting 14 SuperCoach tons, 11 of them in excess of 120. But, after another injury-riddled season in 2018 which resulted in just 12 games – and recent pre-season knee surgery – don’t do it to yourself, even at the discounted price.

The Phantom’s Verdict: As tempting as the price may be, it’s likely to end in tears.

MAYBE DO IT

Shane Mumford

(GWS $320,200)

In his past four seasons, the 32-year-old ruckman has averaged 114, 106, 99 and 98, recording 18 scores of 120 or more in 69 home-and-away matches.

A foot injury then forced him into retirement at the end of the 2017.

But he’s back.

Back to help the Giants, who lost big man Rory Lobb to Fremantle, and he might be back to help SuperCoach teams, too.

On scoring history, Mumford is a lock but by the time he’s available for selection in Round 3 – after serving a two-game suspension – it would’ve been 576 days since his last game.

With that in mind, as well as a pre-season hamstring injury, can we pick him?

The Phantom’s Verdict: Maybe. But, first, a rookie-price ruckman, such as Darcy Fort or Keegan Brooksby, would have to be named in Round 1 to help cover.

Rory Lobb, middle, runs with new teammates at Fremantle training.

NEW COLOURS

Rory Lobb

(Fremantle $411,600)

After returning from injury in Round 8 last season, Lobb passed the 100-point mark twice in three weeks. But, after a rib injury, the 25-year-old failed to score more than 68 in six of his next seven games. In the ninth game, the 205cm Lobb scored 150 points as he dominated Sam Jacobs and the Crows.

And that’s been the story of his career; brilliant at times but the gap between his best and worst is far too great.

However, at the Dockers in 2019, Lobb will line up in his preferred position as a forward.

In his 74 careers games, Lobb has booted 64 goals and taken 153 contested marks so he’ll be more than handy inside 50 alongside fellow recruit Jesse Hogan.

But his SuperCoach scoring potential is far greater as the No. 1 ruckman.

The Phantom’s Verdict: While the dual-position status – finally – is appealing, there’s not enough value in Lobb as a stay-at-home forward.

NEXT IN LINE

Sean Darcy

(Fremantle $361,500)

In the first 15 matches of his career, the 20-year-old has averaged 77 SuperCoach points per game — significantly better than Brodie Grundy (68), Max Gawn (68) and Todd Goldstein (49) at the same point of their careers.

The 201cm 20-year-old, who weighs in at 111 kilograms, is ready to go.

He just has to force his way past No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands first.

And while it won’t be long before he does, if Sandilands is fit, he will continue to lead the ruck for the Dockers in 2019.

The Phantom’s Verdict: If Sandilands – who has played 100 out of a possible 176 games in the past eight seasons - isn’t fit, however, Darcy would immediately become one of the best R2 candidates in SuperCoach.

Can Sam Naismith reclaim the No. 1 ruck role at the Swans in 2019?

THE NO. 1 MAN

Sam Naismith

(Sydney $251,400)

The Sydney ruckman missed the entire 2018 season after rupturing his ACL in March and, while he is yet to re-join the main group at training, the 26-year-old should reclaim the No. 1 ruck role from Callum Sinclair in 2019.

Sinclair enjoyed an outstanding year in the role in 2018 but Naismith’s inclusion will allow coach John Longmire greater flexibility.

While Naismith has only posted one SuperCoach ton in 22 home-and-away matches, he’s scored 75 points or more on eight occasions.

Sure, it’s far from convincing but, at the price, an average of around 75 would be more than enough to generate cash if you’re going down the cheap R2 path.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Naimsith still appears to have plenty of work left to do if he’s to be ready for Round 1 but a first-choice ruckman at slightly more than rookie price must remain on the watchlist.