West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett on Geelong’s radar

WEST Coast free agent Scott Lycett shapes as a prospect for clubs like Geelong after Chris Scott this week put his key talls on notice.

Scott Lycett wants to be the lead ruckman. Picture: AAP

FREE agent Scott Lycett shapes as a prospect for clubs like Geelong after Chris Scott this week put his key talls on notice.

Geelong coach Scott raised eyebrows when he admitted the club was looking at rival ruckmen from other clubs.

Both his established ruckmen Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley are out of contract at season’s end, with Scott a massive fan of injured ruck/forward Esava Ratugolea.

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North Melbourne has a huge advantage with its ruckman Todd Goldstein, with the All-Australian to take on Stanley.

Stanley, 27, averages only 11 disposals per match this year, with his contested possession rate ranked poor and his clearances and hit-outs-to-advantage rate both below average.

Lycett, 25, is believed to have told his management this week he wants to be a lead ruckman after playing back-up to Nic Naitanui this year.

Lycett and St Kilda big man Billy Longer are some of the few options available should Geelong replenish its ruck stocks next year.

After great form this year he will receive a massive payday if he decides to leave, which would also hand West Coast an excellent compensation pick in a quality draft.

Geelong could look to Scott Lycett to replenish its ruck stocks. Picture: Getty Images

In some years there are multiple back-up ruckmen looking for increased opportunities but this year only a handful would have any appeal.

Longer is out of contract and behind Tom Hickey and youngster Rowan Marshall at St Kilda, but wouldn’t be seen as a big improvement on Smith and Stanley.

Lycett is South Australian but while he is still talking to West Coast would be prepared to move to Melbourne for the right offer.

Apart from Lycett, back-up rucks across the competition include Matthew Lobbe, Andrew Phillips, Matthew Leuenberger and Dawson Simpson.

None of those has currency, while Western Bulldogs premiership ruckman Jarryd Roughead a free agent who is badly down on form.

Fremantle’s young ruck Sean Darcy is from Cobden, but will likely inherit the No.1 ruck mantle from Aaron Sandilands in coming years.

Esava Ratugolea has made a big impression this season. Picture: Michael Klein

Scott’s comments were clearly a motivational barb for Smith and Stanley, but they still showed the Cats will be active in covering one of their few list weaknesses.

We’re not trying to fudge it with a ruckman, we have got three or four guys that are in contention for one, maybe two spots,” he said.

“None of them are shooting the lights out. The answer is yes (we are looking at rucks from other clubs), but don’t read too much into that.

“The ones that are very, very strong possibilities, with all due respect, it tends to indicate they’re available for a reason.”

The Cats haven’t approached Lycett’s management but ruck is still their clear weakness with the talented Ratugolea only 19 and years away from his peak.

The Cats are unchanged entering the clash against North Melbourne, with Scott Selwood, Lachie Henderson and Cam Guthrie returning through the VFL.

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Originally published as West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett on Geelong’s radar