SuperCoach 2019: Ben McEvoy, Toby Nankervis, Tom Hickey among POD ruck options

What combination is making up your SuperCoach rucks? The generic answer is Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn but is it the correct one? Check out all your point of difference and cash cow options.

Jarrod Witts in action at Gold Coast training. Picture: Glenn Hampson

What combination is making up your rucks? The generic answer: Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. Gawndy.

This has been the most common combo from SuperCoaches as we approach the JLT Series and Round 1, and rightly so — the pair ranked first and third for overall average last season.

Rucks — in particular, who to select as our second ruck (R2) — have been one of the biggest talking points so far this pre-season. With new centre bounce rules giving ruckmen more flexibility and scoring potential than ever before, nailing our rucks is crucial.

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It is wise to pick at least one of the star pair as you don’t want to be chasing points if they go bananas. But often in this game, it pays to look outside the square at point-of-difference options.

Remember, Grundy hadn’t topped a 100-point average across his first five seasons before he took his game to another level last year.

And as experienced SuperCoaches know, it is rare that a ruckman backs up his #1 ruck SuperCoach throne.

Here are some POD ruck options to consider:

PREMIUM PODS

Ben McEvoy ($533,000) | 2018 AVG: 101.2 (17 games) | Ownership 2 per cent

Big Boy McEvoy enjoyed a career-best SuperCoach season in 2018, averaging 101.9 points per game — his first 100+ average in the brown and gold. His back-half of the year was particularly impressive, posting five triple figure scores in his last seven matches at a formidable average of 110.1.

However, the 30-year-old did benefit from feeding the ball down Tom Mitchell’s throat, which he won’t have the luxury of doing this year. But McEvoy is known for his work around the ground rather than his tapwork. Can the gun continue to get better with age?

Will you look at Ben McEvoy for your ruck department? Picture: Getty Images

Toby Nankervis ($533,000) | 2018 AVG: 98.2 (21 games) | Ownership 2 per cent

Toby Nankervis was a SuperCoach sensation in 2017 but he lifted it up another notch last season. The 24-year-old went at 98.2 SuperCoach points across 2018, missing one game despite carrying the Tigers’ ruck division. One noticeable improvement was his consistency, eclipsing 90 points in all but four matches.

Intrigue surrounds what Richmond will do with its second ruck with the new 6-6-6 centre bounce and relaxed prior opportunity rule likely to make makeshift rucks like Shaun Grigg obsolete. It could mean they bring in another ruck option like Ivan Soldo to partner the big man. If not, it’ll mean the Tigers will rely on The Nank more than ever. At 24 years of age, we may see Nankervis’ SuperCoach prospects soar yet again.

Tom Hickey ($485,600) | 2018 AVG: 89.5 (13 games) | Ownership: Less than 1 per cent

Yep, I saw you raise your eyebrows — but hear me out. Due to injury and Billy Longer breathing down his neck, Tom Hickey was never able to reach his full potential at the Saints. Now, the 27-year-old has been recruited to the Eagles with purpose.

Premiership ruckman Scott Lycett’s departure and superstar Nic Naitanui’s injury sidelining him until late-2019 means Tom Hickey should be the number one ruck at the Eagles, with Nathan Vardy likely to spend more time up forward. It would take a brave coach to take the punt, but the former Saint went at a very handy 89.5 points per game last year. Could he improve on that in new colours?

Tom Hickey is ready to make his mark at West Coast. Picture: Getty Images

Jarrod Witts ($480,900) | 2018 AVG: 88.6 (22 games) | Ownership: 2 per cent

Jarrod Witts was unable to build on his breakout 2017 season, seeing his average decrease by six points last year. While the Suns are bereft of midfield talent, Witts is one of the better tap winners in the league, ranking third for hit-outs in the competition.

The 209cm, 111kg-giant is likely to benefit from the new ruck rules, with his height and weight advantage giving him greater ability to bullock his opponents in stoppages around the ground and grab it straight out of the ruck. This and eased congestion from centre-bounces could see Witts’ improve his hit-out to advantage rate. As the clear No. 1 man at the Suns, he is worth some consideration.

Sean Darcy ($361,500) | 2018 AVG: 74 (7 games) | Ownership 1 per cent

Sean Darcy has shown us glimpses of his ability across his 15 games of senior footy. The 20-year-old has a mature frame, weighing in at a whopping 111kg, and uses it well in ruck contests.

Darcy ranked in the top 10 for hit-outs per game in 2018, averaging 33.3 hit-outs to go with 74 SuperCoach points. He should only improve on these impressive statistics with another pre-season under his belt. With veteran Aaron Sandilands sidelined by a calf injury with no return date, the young big man might just snatch the No. 1 mantle and hold it for good in 2019. Keep a close on him throughout the JLT.

Tim English might be the No. 1 ruck option at the Western Bulldogs. Pic: Michael Klein

Tim English ($310,600) | 2018 AVG: 63.6 (7 games) | Ownership: 3 per cent

Tim English resembled a stick insect when he walked into Whitten Oval at the end of 2016, but not anymore. The talented youngster has officially cracked the ton (on the scales, that is) and looks to be the favourite to snare the Bulldogs’ top ruck spot.

The departures of Jordon Roughead (Collingwood) and Tom Campbell (North Melbourne) along with a persistent back injury for Tom Boyd mean the 21-year-old is in the box seat. The West Australian showed positive strides in his seven games in 2018, averaging 13 disposals, 14 hit-outs and 67.6 SuperCoach points per game.

He was drafted in the first round for a reason, and there is every chance we could see this former beanpole breakout in 2019.

CASH COW POD

Archie Smith ($172,300) | AVG: N/A (0 games) | Ownership: 3 per cent

Once again, Lions coach Chris Fagan has declared the No. 1 ruck position as ‘up for grabs’. It seemed unlikely that young Archie Smith could usurp Stefan Martin last pre-season, and we were right to be sceptical — Smith failing to break into the side across the entire 2018 season. But this year it looms as a far more likely proposition, with Martin hampered by back and ankle niggles — even playing as a forward in match simulation drills until their intra-club a fortnight ago.

In this hit-out the youngster had the best of Martin from all reports, which makes him one to add to the JLT watch-list. If he is in for Round 1, he looms as a fruitful cash cow despite his elevated price-tag. Smith posted two 90+ scores in three games as the No. 1 ruck in 2016.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2019: Ben McEvoy, Toby Nankervis, Tom Hickey among POD ruck options