SuperCoach AFL: Five rucks to consider for your team in 2024

Picking the right ruckmen for your SuperCoach side can make or break your year. Here’s five options to consider in 2024.

Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy. Picture: Michael Klein

Ruckmen are a unique breed.

They’re the first to touch the ball in every match and often the last player you’d want taking a shot for goal 20m out directly in front.

In SuperCoach they are vital, and you only get to start two of them.

Last year was a change of pace when Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy both lined up for Melbourne, forcing most SuperCoaches to look elsewhere.

But in 2024, it’s back.

Gawndy is back.

Forget them playing on the same AFL side, that was one of the great busts of the 2023 season.

What we care about is picking Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy in the same SuperCoach side.

And after a year off, that combination is back with more value than ever.

For those who don’t want to go back to the future, don’t fret, there are other options.

One of which was the second-highest scorer of the entire game in 2023.

Here are five rucks to consider this season.

Brodie Grundy is hot property once again in SuperCoach. Picture: Phil Hillyard

BRODIE GRUNDY $481,900

Roughly two-thirds of SuperCoaches currently own Grundy and for good reason. The 29-year old hasn’t started a season this cheap in nine years and will hold the No. 1 ruck spot at the Sydney Swans. Grundy’s scoring at Melbourne was severely hampered by having to play alongside Max Gawn, but a three-week patch early in 2023 should dispel any doubts about his scoring power.

Verdict: When Gawn was out injured, Grundy went on a run of 143, 144 and 128 SuperCoach points. He’s priced at an average of 86 in 2024, so he’s a fantastic value option at R2.

Max Gawn dominates as a No. 1 ruckman. Picture: Mark Stewart

MAX GAWN $583,700

Similar to Grundy, Gawn showed just how dominant he can be playing as a sole ruckman when he got his chance last year. The premiership captain posted a mammoth 215 against grand finalist Brisbane the week Melbourne dropped Grundy to the reserves. Again, there’s value with Gawn not starting this cheap since 2018.

Verdict: Another great option for your side. Even in an injury and Grundy-interrupted 2023 he still averaged 104.5 points. SuperCoaches will be hoping for a boost to around 120 this year.

Tim English has become a star of the AFL and SuperCoach. Picture: Getty Images

TIM ENGLISH $715,100

If Tim English looked at his current SuperCoach ownership he might ask himself what more he could have done in 2023 to be picked in more sides. The free agent was remarkably consistent last year with a season-low score of 88, 20 scores above 100 and an average of 128. Despite his super year, under 10 per cent of SuperCoaches have selected English in their team.

Verdict: English will score well again, there’s little doubt about that. It’s just a question of whether there is better value in another pick given the $715,100 price tag on his head. It is tempting to have a point of difference that was the second highest scorer of 2023, though.

Rowan Marshall took his game up a notch in 2023. Picture: Michael Klein

ROWAN MARSHALL $639,100

A career best year from Rowan Marshall saw him slot in behind Tim English in the SuperCoach ruck ranks. The Saint finished the season very strongly with scores of 146, 141 and 154 in the last three rounds. However with young ruck Max Heath gunning for some game time, will Marshall be forced to share ruck duties?

Verdict: The form line bodes well but like English Marshall comes at a costly price for his average of 114.3 last season.

Jordan Sweet is now at the Power. Picture: Michael Klein

JORDAN SWEET $158,700

Port Adelaide’s ruck stocks are an interesting watch this year. Sweet and Ivan Soldo have both joined the club in the off-season, but word is Sweet is set to take No. 1 ruck responsibilities. The former Bulldog hasn’t played since 2022 but his cheap price could see him become a cash cow on your bench.

Verdict: With Grundy copping a bye in Round 5 and Gawn in Round 6, those opting for the ‘Gawndy’ combination can use Sweet as the perfect cover for those two weeks. You’ll just have to fork out a bit more cash than your average rookie for him.