The #1 ruckman should be untradeable. Injury-free and play the entire season. With complete consistency. Hell, everybody dreams.
Sandilands Freo $539k 20 gms, 101 avg
Dominates the ruck at a giant 211cm. Reserve ruckmen at Fremantle have enjoyed part-time or journeyman status with him around. Plenty of time in ruck plus plenty of hitouts = many hitouts to advantage. Spent alot of time as full-forward in 2009.
Picking him takes away the option of picking Pavlich. I can't see the ball getting forward enough to make them both worthwhile. A sacrifice, but one I am prepared to make.
Concern: End of season. Will Fremantle be so badly placed that he is rested at season's end?
I bloody hope not.
Prediction: 2010 - 100 avg Worth $500k Break-even 2010 avg 108
Unlucky Loser:
Jolly Coll $487k 22 gms, 93 avg
Super consistent performer. A massive 2008. Collingwood have traded him in for a reason. Chasing the flag. Allays any concern of pre-finals fatigue, as above. Will be a very popular pick in 2010.
Concern: The team structure of Collingwood. Fraser is pushed out. Pre-season talk has been quite crazy as to where he'll play. I've heard flank & wing mentioned. He will not perform in these weird positions. Will do OK in key forward posts. Malthouse may be forced to give him more time in ruck at the expense of Jolly.
Prediction: 2010 - 90 avg Worth $450k Break-even 2010 avg 97
The Smokey:
Brogan PA $409k 20 gms, 77 avg
With Lade gone and bit part understudies, the stage is set. Brogan will certainly get more game time. Westhoff & Lobbe look like sharing the scraps.
The only ruckman I have tipped to increase in value. Though not by much. Would be expensive, though safe, as #2 ruckman for SuperCoach. Venturing down that road may find that Tippett is a better option. I will not select Tippett in the ruck, I have considered him as a forward.
Concern: Is he a great ruckman? I would say no. Just good.
Prediction: 2010 - 85 avg Worth $425k Break-even 2010 avg 82
The Why? Pick:
Kreuzer Carl $421k 22 gms, 79 avg
A great athlete and a high scoring ruckmen. When he gets time on the ball. Performs OK in hitouts. His real strengths are his tackling and second efforts. Born to be an on-baller. Could easily average 100 in the right setup.
Concern: Carlton have 5 ruckmen. Hampson and O'hailpin have both shown a bit up forward. Jacobs and Warnock have shown no ability in other positions. That leaves Kreuzer dumped in the forward line gathering average points.
Prediction: 2010 - 75 avg Worth $375k Break-even 2010 avg 84
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