Eagle Nic Nat’s recent form sparks debate about who the season’s best ruckman is

A certainty in a season of doubt for the AFL is the excellence of ruckmen around the competition

Veteran Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein is enjoying a vintage year Picture: Michael Klein

There was a moment late in West Coast’s thrilling win over Geelong on Saturday night that perfectly demonstrated the importance of Nic Naitanui to the Eagles.

The Eagles trailed by eight points with 12 minutes remaining in the clash between premiership contenders at Optus Stadium when Naitanui overpowered Mark Blicavs at a ball-up.

His delicate deflection to Josh Kennedy, who undertook an unusual cameo as a sharking forward, was an example of exquisite rucking craft on a night where Naitanui had 34 hit-outs.

Kennedy, who was outstanding again with four goals, snapped the goal to further the momentum of the triumphant West Coast, who posted their fifth win in succession.

Silver service from Nic Nat 😍

Eagles within 2 points. #AFLEaglesCats pic.twitter.com/kihQO2ONOv

— AFL (@AFL) August 1, 2020

The Eagles became only the second side this season, and the first since North Melbourne in Rd 1, to overcome a deficit at three-quarter time.

Their nine-point victory was an outlier in a round that had featured one-sided matches until that point.

The lowly Kangaroos kicked the highest score for the season of 119 points whey they thrashed the hapless Adelaide by 69 points in the early match on Saturday, while St Kilda ran away from the Swans to win by 53 points.

West Coast’s victory saw them move into the top four, effectively replacing Geelong, ahead of their bye in Rd 10 in the midst of the rapid dash between Rds 9 and 12.

In a season troubled by significant uncertainty, one thing that cannot be questioned is the calibre and depth of ruckmen around the AFL.

Arguments as to who currently holds the mantle as the best big man in the competition can be as hotly contested as the actual ruck duels.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said he was “mesmerised” by Naitanui’s performance.

But in a subjective debate, preference is often determined by the colours worn by the ruckman in question and the fans making the assessment.

Naitanui, who spent 72 per cent of the match on the field in his highest game time since 2016, has earned rare plaudits over the past fortnight.

He was pitted against a less-credentialed Geelong combination headed by Esava Ratugolea in a rucking clash between two men of Fijian parentage.

But a week earlier he was also superb against Magpie Brodie Grundy in West Coast’s dominant win.

“I’m not saying you can’t compete with him, but we’ve just got great respect for the champion he is,” Scott said.

“I think the short games really help him, the centre-bounce rules help him, but it’s hard not to be mesmerised with some of the stuff he can do.”

At various stages over the past couple of years, Grundy and Max Gawn have held claims to being the best ruckman in the land.

St Kilda duo Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder, who are proving more than capable of excelling together after some early concerns, have helped the Saints to third.

Jarrod Witts, the Gold Coast’s co-captain, has also matured into a fine ruckman and leader. Of the emerging crop, Bulldog Tim English is showing excellent signs in his fourth season.

When it comes to the best ruckman this season, former North Melbourne and Carlton star Corey McKernan believes golden oldie Todd Goldstein has claims given his consistency.

An All Australian in 2015, the 32-year-old headed the competition in terms of hit-outs prior to Grundy’s outing against Fremantle on Sunday night.

He also sits first in terms of clearances and disposals this year, though there is a caveat. The disjointed season means that Gawn has played a game less, while Grundy had the opportunity to move ahead on Sunday night.

“His follow-up on the ground level is something that is probably separating him in the discussion to other ruckman,” Kangaroo Shaun Higgins told The Sunday Footy Show.

“He has always been a great tap ruckman with an ability to cover the ground both defensively and offensively, but his clearance work at the moment — I think he has got the most clearances in the competition.

“To be honest, I thought he had a great year last year and it probably wasn’t highlighted as much as it should have been and he has been able to continue that this year.

"Internally it's not going unnoticed"

Shaun Higgins speaks about the outstanding form of ruckman Todd Goldstein.#9AFLSFS | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/BPx7HMFdHR

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 2, 2020