SuperCoach 2016: Best choices for third ruck spot

SEVERAL cheap big men are strong chances to play in Round 1. So who should take the vital third ruck spot in our SuperCoach teams?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Sam Grimley of the Bombers celebrates with Nick Kommer after kicking a goal during the Essendon Bombers AFL Intra-Club match at True Value Solar Centre on February 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

WE ARE in rare territory.

Last season the third ruckman spot in SuperCoach was a graveyard. The player we picked in Round 1 in most cases sat there for the entire season without playing a game, or making us a cent.

This year is different — we hope. The pre-season has produced several cheap rucks who look serious chances of getting a game.

That’s great news when we need back-up for starting rucks who go down injured or miss during the bye rounds, and for making us some cash for future trades.

So who do we pick? TAC Cup expert and self-confessed SuperCoach nerd Paige Cardona runs the rule over the rookie rucks.

Sam Grimley (Ess) $123,900 Ruck/Fwd

Another Bomber top-up player who becomes SuperCoach relevant, Grimley is set to be planted forward to partner Joe Daniher this season. The reigning back-to-back Frosty Miller medallist for the VFL’s leading goalkicker should be firmly plonked in your ruck or forward line, with his dual-position status just another reason to start him. Struggled for senior opportunities in an all-conquering Hawks line-up, but the 25-year-old will get them at the Bombers. Lock.

Daniel Currie (GC) $163,200 Ruck

The most talked about ruckman barely to play a game; Currie is no stranger to the bench spot in SuperCoach. The difference this year is he is a much better chance of playing seniors at Gold Coast. With Zac Smith and Charlie Dixon now at other clubs, Currie has only Tom Nicholls to contend with at the Suns — could Rocket Eade play the two big men in tandem? If we’re going by the NAB Challenge form, it looks a possibility with the pair partnering up.

Max King (Melb) $117,300 Ruck/Fwd

A great vice-captain’s loophole option — the Demons have the most Sunday games this year, which allows you to use King as a flexible option in your ruck department. It’s unlikely we’ll see him at senior level any time soon, with Max Gawn taking a stranglehold on the ruck position, but he does come with valuable forward eligibility. A strategic pick.

Mason Cox (Coll) $117,300 Ruck/Fwd

The rapid development of the Magpies’ US import in the past 12 months has been surprising, with the latest chapter a two-goal return in Collingwood’s NAB Challenge win against Geelong. He is behind Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts in the ruck queue but the Pies see the 211cm giant as a forward first, with his contested marking and accurate kicking for goal a highlight. The American Pie also has forward eligibility, a nice little bonus.

Masoc Cox has made the giant leap to the AFL. Picture: Colleen Petch

Sam Michael (Ess) $123,900 Ruck

The Bombers’ final top-up player took the first centre bounce against Carlton in the NAB Challenge and performed admirably, scoring 83 SuperCoach points to jump onto the selection radar. Will he get a game when Matthew Leuenberger and Mark Jamar are available? Wait and see.

Reilly O’Brien (Adel) $117,300 Ruck

Impressive at SANFL level and a real goer on the track, O’Brien looms as both a forward and ruck option for the Crows this year, although he’ll need to be upgraded from the rookie list. Having been named emergency on several occasions last year, the former Calder Cannon should be first in the queue if anything happens to Sam Jacobs.

AND KEEP AN EYE ON ...

Sam Frost (Melb) $217,600 Ruck/Fwd

If you’re looking for a rookie ruck who will definitely play, Frost is your man. Likely to partner Jesse Hogan up front in a new role, Frost is cheap after a broken toe ended his 2015 season in Round 3. Another ruckman with dual position on offer.

Paige Cardona is the founder of SuperCoach Paige website and is on Twitter @paigecardona

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Best choices for third ruck spot