The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Premium ruckmen analysis

The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season is here. Today, we look at the top-priced ruckmen for 2019. Can any other big man compete with Grundy and Gawn? The Phantom runs the rule over the best premium options.

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The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season is here. Today, we look at the top-priced ruckmen for 2019. Can any other big man compete with Grundy and Gawn? The Phantom runs the rule over the best premium options.

THE STARS

Brodie Grundy

(Collingwood $708,200)

Not since former Eagle Dean Cox went back-to-back in 2011 and 2012 has any ruckman finished as the top-ranked scorer in consecutive seasons.

Not even the dominant big men of the past few seasons Max Gawn and Todd Goldstein have done it.

But if any player is going to break the trend, it might be Grundy in 2019.

The Collingwood big man added an enormous 33 points to his average last season after posting 19 SuperCoach tons — seven them in excess of 150.

Grundy had more hitouts, disposals, clearances, contested possessions and tackles than any other ruckman.

In fact, his 12 contested possessions per game ranked him 20th in the competition — that’s higher than Dustin Martin, Luke Shuey, Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendlebury.

And his clearances number had the 24-year-old equal with midfield stars Matt Crouch and Joel Selwood.

Given a ruckman will this year be allowed to grab the ball out of the ruck and no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity, expect these numbers to climb.

The Phantom’s Verdict: He’s expensive but you’ll be caught short without him.

It’s hard to stop Melbourne big man Max Gawn.

Max Gawn

(Melbourne $692,100)

The Melbourne star joined Grundy in the top-three overall scorers after posting 18 SuperCoach tons in an outstanding season.

With an average of 118, Gawn was the top-ranked ruckman in 2016 before a hamstring injury saw the 27-year-old manage just 13 appearances the following year.

But he was back to his best in an injury-free 2018.

Gawn wasn’t as prolific around the ground as Grundy but was more effective in the ruck, recording more hitouts-to-advantage.

Like Grundy, his influence is very difficult to quell.

The only concern — and maybe we’re overplaying it — is the effect recruit Brayden Preuss may have on Gawn’s scoring.

The former Kangaroo might only pinch-hit every so often but he might also play 22 games and help ease the load on Gawn.

Time will tell.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Ideally you have them both but that’s a huge expense. But it might be worth it if the Preuss factor becomes non-existent as we build up to Round 1.

NEXT IN LINE

Stefan Martin

(Brisbane $573,700)

Since joining the Lions, the 32-year-old has been a consistent SuperCoach ruckman, averaging 106 or more in three of the past five seasons.

After his averaged fell to 98 in 2017 and with the thought young big man Archie Smith might feature more, there was concern over Martin’s SuperCoach scoring prior to last season.

But the athletic Martin put those concerns to bed, posting 13 SuperCoach tons, five of them in excess of 130, finishing inside the top four in Brisbane’s best-and-fairest for the fourth time in as many seasons.

The Phantom’s Verdict: While he’s unlikely to match the scoring of Grundy and Gawn, Martin, as long he continues as Brisbane’s solo ruckman, is worth some thought at more than $100k less.

Can a leaner Todd Goldstein, right, find his best form in 2019?

Todd Goldstein

(North Melbourne $548,000)

At the end of 2015, Goldstein was — by some margin — the best ruckman in the game after recording a SuperCoach of 129 to sit as the top-ranked scorer in the competition.

Fast forward to Round 8, 2018 and — after his average fell to 95 at by the conclusion of 2017 — the 30-year-old was averaging 84 points per game after failing to score more than 77 points in five of his opening eight matches.

At that point, many SuperCoaches — The Phantom included — wrote him off and traded him out.

But in the following 14 rounds, Goldstein posted 12 SuperCoach tons to still finish with a three-figure season average.

Even more impressive was the news Goldstein has shed around 5kg over the pre-season and is in the best shape of his career.

With no Brayden Preuss to worry about, can he get back to his absolute best?

The Phantom’s Verdict: Appears a well-priced R2 candidate if you aren’t going with a value option.

Port Power swing man Justin Westhoff. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

THE SWINGER

Justin Westhoff

(Port Adelaide $549,500)

In his 12th season in the game, Port Adelaide’s oldest player was their top-ranked SuperCoach scorer, finishing 86 points ahead of midfielder Ollie Wines.

The 32-year-old scored 85 points or more in 18 of his 22 matches, posting 10 SuperCoach tons to record a three-figure average for the first time in his career.

The Power utility was everywhere with Ken Hinkley using the best swingman in the game forward, in the ruck, on the wing and behind the ball last year.

As a result, Westhoff has gained valuable dual-position status as a ruckman-forward and, despite an elevated price, remains well and truly in the conversation.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Westhoff should again be given license to roam and, despite not featuring in the ruck as often with the inclusion of Scott Lycett, score well. Only consider if you’re working with a dual-position swing with another ruckman/forward.

Originally published as The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Premium ruckmen analysis