The Phantom’s SuperCoach ruck revelations after week three of JLT Series

AT the start of the JLT Series, when SuperCoaches talked rucks, it was just Goldstein and Gawn. But after three weeks of action, the Phantom’s horizons are broader — and he’s prepared to share his expertise. BLOG live with The Phantom - online now.

The Phantom has been impressed with Brodie Grundy.

AT the start of summer, when SuperCoaches turned their minds to the ruck division, it was Todd Goldstein and Max Gawn ... no alternatives. But after three weeks of the JLT Series pre-season competition some genuine mid-price value has emerged.

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Here are five ruckmen who caught The Phantom’s eye during the JLT Series’ third week.

Big man, big upside ... Aaron Sandilands. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Aaron Sandilands (Freo) $308,200

The veteran ruckman made his way into plenty of SuperCoach teams last Saturday after a standout first-up display against the Magpies. Sandilands, who has overcome a calf strain which delayed his start to the JLT Series, tallied 15 disposals, nine contested possessions, 20 hit-outs, one goal and 133 points. It’s going to be hard to leave him out after this performance.

Brodie Grundy (Coll) $520,500

While he was beaten by Sandilands in the ruck contests, Grundy, as he often does, did his best work around the ground, finishing with 16 disposals, five marks, 16 hit-outs and 99 points. Grundy may end up being a unique offering, given the dominance of Todd Goldstein and Max Gawn and the emergence of some genuine mid-price value.

Making an impact ... Toby Nankervis. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Toby Nankervis (Rich) $366,400 fwd

And leading that emergence is the former Sydney ruckman, who has been super impressive his first two games as a Tiger. Nankervis followed up his 89 points in week two with a 129-point performance against the Power. The competitive beast put all his attributes on show, registering 15 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five marks, five tackles, 22 hit-outs and one goal.

Tim English (WB) $130,800

Even at the beginning of the pre-season, an AFL debut seemed a long way off for the lightly-built English but, after injuries to lead ruckmen Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead, the 19-year-old could be called upon sooner than expected. English, whose skill set has be compared to that of former West Coast ruckman Dean Cox, impressed coach Luke Beveridge in his first hitout as a Bulldog, finishing with 13 disposals, nine contested possessions, five hit-outs and 70 points against the Lions.

Billy Longer, left, wrestles with fellow Saint Jason Homes at pre-season training. Picture: Quinn Rooney (Getty Images)

Billy Longer (St K) $260,200

With the Saints unlikely to take two ruckman into their round one clash, the 23-year-old remains locked in a battle with last season’s first-choice ruckman Tom Hickey. And in Hickey’s absence in week three of the pre-season comp, Longer landed a big blow, dominating an undermanned Carlton ruck brigade to register five disposals, six tackles, 37 hit-outs and 117 points.

Originally published as The Phantom’s SuperCoach ruck revelations after week three of JLT Series