The Phantom’s Pre-Season: Did the second-ruck position become more clear after the first weekend of the JLT Series?

Missed any of the JLT Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. From the best rookie-price option to the second-tier premiums, The Phantom looks at the standout ruckmen and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of JLT action.

The Phantom's JLT Standouts: Ruckmen

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders| Mid-price midfielders | Mid-price ruckmen | Mid-price forwards | Mid price smokies | Cash cows in defence | Midfield cash cows | Cash cow defenders | Cash cow ruckmen | Cash cow forwards | Cash Cow smokies

• JLT Series Standouts: Midfielders | Defenders

Missed any of the JLT Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. From the best rookie-price option to the second-tier premiums, The Phantom looks at the standout ruckmen and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of JLT action.

Zac Clarke rucks against Carlton’s Andrew Phillips last week.

Zac Clarke (Ess) $147,700

89 points

The Bombers like the idea of playing two ruckmen and in the opening JLT Series match against the Blues, the former Docker showed he can more than just backup in 2019. Playing as the No. 1 big man, Clarke had the better of Carlton’s Andrew Phillips in the ruck and also had an impact around the ground, finishing with 15 disposals, four marks, four tackles and a goal. And that’s what Clarke, who booted 28 goals in the WAFL last season, will need to do if he’s to partner Tom Bellchambers in Round 1.

Clarke was far more impressive than the other popular rookie-price option Darcy Fort, who scored just 21 SuperCoach points in 61 per cent game-time.

Todd Goldstein (NM) $548,000

117 points

Given St Kilda ruckmen Lewis Pierce was injured in the first quarter – and a number of makeshift big men stepped in - it’s hard to judge Goldstein’s performance accurately. But he moved well and looks in great shape after a pre-season which saw him shed more than 5kg. And his numbers make for impressive reading. The 30-year-old tallied 19 disposals, 13 hitouts-to-advantage, five marks, five clearances and a goal. The combination of Paddy Ryder, if he can overcome a rolled ankle, and Scott Lycett will be more of a challenge for Goldstein in week two of the JLT Series.

Callum Sinclair (Syd) $528,000

99 points

With returning ruckman Sam Naismith not ready for the start of the season, Sinclair – as he did last year – will have to lead the ruck for the Swans in the early part of the year. But it’s a SuperCoach-friendly role for the 20-year-old, who added 18 points to his average in 2018. Against the Giants, the 29-year-old tallied 15 disposals, eight contested possessions, five inside 50s, five marks, three tackles and 99 points.

Can Archie Smith take over the No. 1 ruck role at the Lions this year?

Archie Smith (Bris) $172,300

83 points

In the absence of Stefan Martin for most of the summer, the young ruckman has taken the opportunity to put his name forward as the Lions’ No. 1 big man for 2019. And the 23-year-old pushed his case again with an impressive performance against a Hawthorn ruck-tandem of Jonathon Ceglar and Marc Pittonet in week one of the JLT Series. The athletic Smith finished with 83 SuperCoach points, on the back of 11 disposals, nine contested possessions, four tackles and 25 hitouts.

Tim English (WB) $310,600

67 points

The 21-year-old’s numbers from the first JLT Series aren’t worth shouting about but he’s going to develop into a very good player, very soon. English, who finished with 10 disposals, five marks, five one percenters and three inside 50s against the Suns, was clean and outstanding below his knees for a 205cm ruckman. You can tell English was a midfielder early in his junior career before a big growth spurt.

Rory Lobb (Freo) $411,600, Fwd

114 points

He moved to the Dockers in the hope of playing in his preffered position as a forward but his SuperCoach potential is much greater as a ruckman. And in the absence of Aaron Sandilands and Sean Darcy, Lobb proved that again in the Dockers’ opening JLT Series match. Up against Brodie Grundy, the 205cm 26-year-old got his hands to the ball in the ruck and followed up around the ground, tallying 20 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s, on his way to a team-high 114 points.

Brodie Grundy (Coll) $708,200

94 points

Last year’s top-ranked SuperCoach scorer eased into the action with 94 points, on the back of 15 disposals and five tackles, against the Dockers. Grundy’s sublime ruck work was on show with the 24-year-old recording more hitouts-to-advantage than disposals in the first quarter.