Proposals have been thrown left and right this week having to do with mid-season All Australian squads, and in my opinion, there’s no position that’s more fun to debate than that of the ruck.
The forwards are easy enough to pick – you just find the standout goal kickers and thin the herd as best you can.
The midfielders? Take your pick! The competition has one million of them and there’s a stack of players that are all more or less good enough.
Defenders are a bit harder but still, we all know who the standouts are.
But the ruck?
There’s so much to think about, so many factors to debate. They need to be tall, dominate and win as many hit-outs as possible, but what about the work around the ground?
How much of their own ball can they win? Do they run hard defensively – do they tackle? Can they contribute on the scoreboard?
And you can only pick one! Maybe two. So let’s break it down; just who is the best ruckman in the competition in 2018?
Melbourne: Max Gawn
Lock in Max Gawn, Eddie
At this stage of the season, I doubt many – barring a few – devoted contrarians will suggest that Melbourne’s Gawn is anywhere outside of the top two on any list.
Gawn leads the competition in pure hit-outs with 567, enjoying a lead of more than 100 over his closest competition.
He’s also third in total contested marks with 25, trailing West Coast’s Jack Darling and Jeremy McGovern.
Around the ground, Gawn is averaging 16.2 disposals per game in addition to his 4.1 marks and 3.1 tackles per contest. All of this with a staggering average of 47.3 hit-outs.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Beyond winning plenty of his own footy, Gawn has eight goals too – a tally only rivalled by Sydney’s Callum Sinclair.
With Melbourne in the top four for the first time in a long time and producing some consistently exciting footy, Gawn has been at the centre of it all.
The bookies are in Gawn’s camp too, placing him as the fifth favourite to win the Brownlow Medal – trailing only Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell, Richmond duo Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, and West Coast’s Andrew Gaff.
Collingwood – Brodie Grundy
I was never really sold on Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy until this season – and what a season it’s been.
In pure ruck numbers, Grundy has 457 hit-outs over 12 matches. However, it’s his work at the ground level that’s been truly impressive.
Grundy is averaging 20.9 disposals per game and operates at above 70 per cent efficiency consistently.
He has the most clearances by any ruck option with 61, a robust 20 centre clearances and 61 tackles.
Collingwood’s Grundy is ranked 12th amongst the entire AFL for contested possessions, a strong indicator of the work he’s been willing to put in both in the air and down below with the rest of the mere mortals.
Honourable Mentions
Stefan Martin has had ‘huge potential’ stamped across his forehead since the first time he laced up his boots at Brisbane. It’s been great to see him emerge as a name to look out for each and every week.
Martin is averaging 19.8 disposals a game at the Lions in 2018 and has 428 hit-outs to his name at an average of more than 35 per match.
Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs has had a huge workload this season in light of his club’s injury woes. His 465 hit-outs equal second best in the whole AFL.
Tied with Jacobs is Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts, one of only three players averaging more than 38 hit-outs per game.
Witts also has 57 clearances – second only to Melbourne’s Gawn – and a fine effort in a struggling and oft-forgotten squad.
I would be remiss to ignore the two likely grand finalists – Richmond and West Coast – and the tall men taking them all the way.
Premiership ruck Toby Nankervis is back and better than ever for the Tigers so far.
Nankervis has 297 hit-outs at a meagre average of just above 22, but it should be obvious to all involved that he’s in the squad for his work at ground level, particularly his defensive pressure.
(AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
For West Coast, Nic Naitanui is looking as ferocious as he ever has. He is up above 300 hit-outs in total and a presence at every stoppage.
For a long time, I’ve doubted Nic Nat as a footballer purely on a game sense level. In those early years, he always looked lost in certain passages.
My biggest fear was seeing the Eagles fly all the way to the final challenge in September only to lose the game due to a loss of concentration or decisionmaking in that all-important ruck spot.
I rarely, if ever, see those moments in Nic Nat any more. The raw philosophy behind footy has been drummed into his mind – it is evident in every play now.
He attacks the ball at full speed and is eager to knock his opponent into next week defensively.
It’s great to see West Coast’s faith rewarded – and if the Eagles win a premiership in 2018, it will be with Nic Nat in the middle.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Has he? Or has he had one injury for a long time?
Jim
Guest
Still going amazingly well for a guy of his age - though his influence around the ground is not quite at the level it once was.
Jim
Guest
Yep the Swans premiership hopes rest on Sinclair's shoulders. Darcy Cameron is developing well in reserves but you can't expect him to step up and make a meaningful difference if Sinclair goes down, though I would not be suprised at all to see him debut at some stage.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Note the spelling of his name...he has a triple A rating.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Have you heard of Aaaron Sandilands? He has had the most hit outs in every game he has played this year and is the reason for Freo's strong clearance count. I'd have Max ahead of him too but I'd expect Sandi to get a mention. By the way, his ground work under packs at clearances is equalled only by NicNat. Brilliant knock ons, handballs and just great body work to clear space for midfield clearances.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Come September the best ruckman this year may well be Paddy Ryder (and he doesn't even rate a mention in this article).
Geoff Foley
Roar Rookie
Gawny had the number on him in the first half, but as the Pie dominance over the ground started to show, Grundy rode that wave to finish just on top in the hit-outs too. Really interesting to see how they go against each other in a really tight game.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Yep, agree with that. Not a pure ruckman in the classic sense, but is consistently having a positive impact in pretty much every game this year. The trouble for the Swans is that as far as ruckmen go, he's it! When your relief rucking duties are done by someone like Gary Roah, you know you're in trouble...
Slane
Guest
I'll stick with the Nank ;-)
Rustym
Guest
Nic-Nat is a dynamic and impactful player, but has a history of getting injured regularly. Gawn is a very good tap ruckman, but is one dimensional. Grundy is multi- dimensional, resilient and an excellent, week in week, out player.
Fat Toad
Guest
I suspect that the differences between Gawn and Grundy (and even Naitanui) may only come down to how they fit into their respective teams. Its the coaches job to develop strategies that apply overwhelming force to an opponent's weakness. Melbourne and Collingwood's Queen's Birthday game gave an opportunity to compare and contrast Both teams have had dominant midfields, Melbourne probably better at all out attack out of packs and Collingwood's probably better in an under and then getting free with fast handballs. Gawn's high quality tap work give Melbourne access to fast exits, while Grundy creates a ground level mismatch by providing an additional person to do some heavy lifting in tackling and hand passing effectively making him a utility player. Nic Nat is mercurial, but can seem to disappear for long periods. For mine I like the work horse ethics of both Gawn and Grundy who are more likely to get you to a good position in the finals (other things being equal), but with the list and results the Eagles have this year, Nic Nat may be the perfect fit for the team. While both Gawn ad Grundy are great, and I would be happy to have either in my team, from a coaching perspective, Grundy gives a greater options.
Penster
Roar Guru
Grundy is very good and may yet eclipse Nic Nat but at the moment, it's Nic Nat (for his X factor), Grundy, Gawn in that order.
WCE
Roar Rookie
having blue and gold blood running through my veins ill be bias , but I do think NIc Nat is by far the better ruckman. His tap work is superb then his tackling, tough inside bump / smothering / handball / no nonsense dont argue etc.... he has to be right up there surely and don't discount big Scotty Lycett either not as pronounced as Gawn or Nic Nat i know but still a great combo with NIc Nat
DTM
Guest
Great topic and well reasoned article. I don't disagree with your opinion but I do believe Natanui has made the biggest impact on his team. Without him, they are middle of the table at best, with him they walk taller.
Jim
Guest
Sinclair deserves an honorable mention imo. Rarely badly beaten in the middle, he is clunking it pretty well (his hands have always let him down) and kicking goals going forward. Having his best season at the Swans (and arguably overall) - yes he isn't a top tier ruckman in the class of Nic Nat, but he is a very decent ruckman having a very good season.
Jim
Guest
I found that quote very baffling Paul D! Been a quality ruckman for a long time - its only been injury in recent years that has really held him back.
Baz
Guest
WCE have 2 ruckman who are both in the top 5 in the competition.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
I agree with you and even think Gawn is better than Nic Nat around the ground. But Nic Nat has a habit of impacting the game at critical moments and that's what you need in a Grand Final IMO.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I agree Tom Brodie probably shaded Gawn but for the overall impact so far this season IMO Gawn by a whisker but both Gawn and Grundy a fair bit ahead of any other rucks at this stage.
Kris
Guest
I might have agreed with you in the past, but Grundy is matching Nic Nat in the around the ground stuff now.