Brendon Goddard ranks every AFL ruck department from 1-18

Geelong has a bevy of stars at its disposal across all lines... except one. And Brendon Goddard says it’s an Achilles heel that can be fixed by one man. See BJ’s ruck department rankings.

One is the best tap ruckman in the league.

The other is utterly dominant all over the ground.

So who comes out on top in the ruck battle between Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn?

Meanwhile, which club has Grundy 2.0 and whose ruck stocks need some work?

RANKINGS: CHAMPION DATA RATES EVERY CLUB’S LIST

In his exclusive analysis, AFL great Brendon Goddard ranks every club’s ruck department from 1 to 18.

Goddard Says

I rate Grundy as the best ruckman in the competition, a clear dominant No.1. What he lacks with tap-out work he more than makes up for with his ability to follow up and win his own ball around the ground. A deserving starting ruckman in the 2019 All-Australian side.

Goddard Says

Gawn is undoubtedly the best tap ruckman in the game, backed up by the fact he led the AFL in hit-outs to advantage last season ahead of Grundy. But I see him as the second-best all-round ruckman because he does not have the same impact around the ground. However, Gawn is continually trying to improve his ball-winning ability and follow-up work. Preuss is a respectable back-up for the Demons.

Goddard Says

Naitanui returned from injury for the Eagles’ finals campaign and reminded us what an impact player he is. When up and about, I rate him as the most effective tap ruckman in the competition. He’s dynamic and has a huge impact even with low possession numbers. The Eagles arguably have the best ruck depth in the league with a very handy support crew of Hickey and Vardy, who carried much of the load in Naitanui’s absence last season.

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Goddard Says

Goldstein continues to get it done for the Kangaroos year-in, year-out. He was the best ruckman in the competition for a number of years before Grundy and Gawn came along and was still rated by Champion Data as the third-ranked ruckman in the competition last season despite now being 31 years old.

Goddard Says

Martin has been a shining light for Brisbane over a long period of time, despite the Lions having gone through some tough times in recent years. He ranked fifth for hit-outs to advantage last season and his follow-up work initially around stoppages is second to none. McInerney is a handy back-up who can also play a role up forward.

Goddard Says

Marshall could be what Grundy is now in two years’ time. That’s how highly I rate him. He caught everyone by surprise with his development last season which saw him finish runner-up in the Saints’ best-and-fairest and I expect him to have a huge impact for the Saints in 2020. Ryder is a handy addition from Port Adelaide, with the potential to also play forward.

Goddard Says

Reliable is the word that springs to mind with Richmond’s ruck stocks. The tapout craft is not Nankervis’ biggest strength, but he is good around the ground and a fierce competitor. Soldo’s development across the second half of last season was a real positive and the Tigers used the two rucks with great success during their finals series.

Goddard Says

Lycett’s form dropped off badly at stages last season but at his best he’s a quality ruckman with a great all-round game and he was still the fifth-ranked ruckman in the competition by Champion Data. Ladhams gave us a glimpse of what he’s capable of as a great athlete who covers the ground as well as any big man.

Goddard Says

The Suns’ best-and-fairest in 2019, Witts is right up there with the best tap ruckmen in the competition and ranked No. 1 for total hit-outs and No. 3 for hit-outs to advantage last season. What he lacks around the ground he makes up for with his ability to flick the ball around at stoppages. Smith comes in from Geelong as some back up.

Goddard Says

In O’Brien, the Crows look to have uncovered a ruckman for the next decade after he took the mantle as the club’s No. 1 man from stalwart Sam Jacobs last season. While Jacobs has departed for Greater Western Sydney, the Crows did well to recruit Frampton from Port Adelaide to play the supporting act.

Goddard Says

The Dockers have a good one-two combo in Darcy and Lobb. I expect Darcy to grow into the No. 1 ruck in future and Lobb to progressively spend more time playing forward. Darcy will only get better when he matures into his body and improves his fitness to AFL level.

Goddard Says

A reliable double-act for the Hawks with McEvoy and Ceglar. But if the end of last season is anything to go by, we could see McEvoy spending more time in defence next season and Ceglar take on the majority of the ruck work.

Goddard Says

The question mark is whether Bellchambers can have a full pre-season for the first time in more than five years. If he does and can stay fit, he could exceed this ranking as a proven competitor who can also kick a goal. Draper’s ACL injury stalled his development and will rule him out for the first part of next season, while the recruitment of Phillips from Carlton adds to the ruck depth.

Goddard Says

Kreuzer turns 31 in May and still struggles to find consistency because of his persistent injury issues. However, his combination of pure ruck work and follow-up work is up there with Grundy when he is fully fit. After the departure of Andrew Phillips, Pittonet comes in from Hawthorn to provide some back up.

Goddard Says

The Giants’ ruck division is improved with the recruitment of Jacobs from Adelaide, which should only help their star-studded midfield. Jacobs had a tough time at the Crows last season, forced out of the side through injury and then forced to spend significant time in the seconds before earning his spot back for the final three rounds. However, I believe he can return to his best with a fresh start.

Goddard Says

A lot is on the shoulders of 22-year-old English at the Bulldogs. I believe he is Brodie Grundy 2.0 in the making, but the lightly-framed agile big man still needs time to develop. Jordan Sweet is the only back up option and is so far unsighted at AFL level.

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Goddard Says

The ruck is a clear issue for the Cats and coach Chris Scott knows it. It was one of the major problems in the back half of last year, when Scott was forced to throw All-Australian defender Mark Blicavs into the ruck because of a lack of confidence in his other options. It’s time for Stanley to stand up and grab the No. 1 ruck role with both hands – especially given the departure of Zac Smith (Gold Coast) and the delisting of Ryan Abbott which leaves little depth.

Goddard Says

The Swans might have five big men on their list, but they clearly lack a dominant ruckman. While a competitor, Sinclair was ranked the 24th ruckman in the competition by Champion Data last season. Injuries have meant Naismith has not played at AFL level since 2017, but if fit he could provide some relief for Sinclair at different stages.

Originally published as Brendon Goddard ranks every AFL ruck department from 1-18