Adam Simpson on his Top 10 rucks
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West Coast Eagles premiership coach Adam Simpson has listed his top 10 ruckmen in the AFL through the first seven rounds!
Basing his list off a list of crucial statistics, Simpson ranked the best big men in the competition, from a pair of dynamic duos to the game's best individuals at the ball-up.
“With the new centre bounce rule, the scoring has gone up out of the middle, it’s more fun and it looks better,” Simpson told SEN Whateley.
“I think there are some clubs that have won games off the back of the new ruck change in the middle.
Pittonet rated higher than Witts is a surprise, but stats don't lie.
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10. Lloyd Meek + Ned Reeves (Hawthorn)
“What is interesting – would you rather one (elite) ruckman, or two ruckmen like Hawthorn?
“Reeves and Meek combine for the same stats as a Jackson. I think it’s horses for courses if you’re Reeves or Meek. If you need some hit outs, get Reeves in. If you need some grunt, get Meek in.
“It seems to be a good combination, and I think they might stick with that.”
9. Darcy Cameron + Oscar Steene (Collingwood)
“The other one is Darcy Cameron and Oscar Steene. It’s like it’s a last quarter, ‘go’. Last quarter, let’s get in Steene and try to jump your way into a win.”
8. Jordon Sweet (Port Adelaide)
7. Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast)
“Witts is an interesting one. I think he’s dropped away a little bit from last year.”
6. Mark Pittonet (Carlton)
5. Tim English (Western Bulldogs)
“English just sits out of that top four.
“As much as we think he is important for the Bulldogs, his numbers aren’t in the top four.”
4. Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne)
3. Brodie Grundy (Sydney)
2. Max Gawn (Melbourne)
“He’s averaging 20-odd disposals, 14 hit outs to advantage, 15 contested possessions, four marks, six clearances and six score involvements.”
1. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
“19 disposals, 17 hit outs to advantage, contested possessions, he’s at 11. Four marks, five clearances and seven score involvements. He is having a great year.
“Imagine (he and Max Gawn) were still together!
“(The top four) are all averaging close to 20 possessions, hit outs to advantage are all above 12, they are all above 15 contested possessions, they are all getting above five clearances and they’re all getting above four score involvements.
“They are game-changing stats from a position on the ground that you can’t fix.”
Gawn - Jackson combo was formidable. They won a Premiership together in 2021 when Jackson was only 20yo. Jackson turned the game when he went in the ruck to give them a different look. Gawn has reach (rucks dont get smaller with age), and Jackson has the springy high jump.
However Gawn and Grundy didnt quite work out because Gawn was still the best ruck in the AFL, and the only forward of the two.
For us, it looks to be Pittonet and Young as our best combo, with Young playing FF line/ bench when not rucking. Reidy let him and the team down badly vs Grundy and last game vs TDK and Marshall, ball watching.
We need a new No 1 ruck!
In the meantime, whilst OKeefe develops, Harry can be the Fwd- Ruck given Harry isn't marking and kicking goals in the forwardline. If its just getting the ball to the ground, Lewis Young can do that too. Maybe we need both Harry and Lewis in the forwardline against taller defences like Freo and Brizzy.
We are in a pickle. Pitto is on the decline in his career. IMO we need better next year.
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FAQ
, and he should be he'll have two dependable KPDs of the future, Dean and OFarrell as his tall team mates down back. Should be a great combo.