NAB Cup Rookie Review – Rucks

Written by Big Sexy on March 19 2012

This is the first in a series of Rookie Reviews this week that will cover each line, so look out each day for the next instalment.  The first cab off the rank are the big boys in the Ruck:

  1. Orren Stephenson Geelong 106k Ruck 200cm 29yo – The Cats didn’t pick up a 29yo with a view to the future.  The Cats knew there was a gap to fill with Ottens retirement and injuries to Vardy and Simpson.  So West now has a solid hold on the number 1 ruck spot, and Chris Scott has already said the Cats like to run two Ruckmen and that big Orren is a likely starter.  To give you some idea of why the Cats picked him up… 2011 was the fourth consecutive year he was picked in the VFL team of the year and he was number 1 ruck winning flags in three of the last four years.
  2. Johnathon Giles – GWS $126k 199cm 24yo – Whist GWS picked Brogan who will no doubt lead the ruck brigade and I understand Brogan is already ruled out for round 1 and perhaps longer.  Knowing GWS must play youngsters for experience, he will be playing a lot this season – if fit.
  3. Jarred Redden – PA $113k 205cm 21yo – With no Brogan and Lobbe out with a hip injury for 6+ weeks, he is almost a certainty to get plenty of games which means the ball is entirely in Redden’s court as to whether he can step up and keep a spot, or fall by the way side.  I’d suggest given the lack of depth in PA, they almost have no choice.  Oh, add the fact Primus has fully backed him in, sung his praises and stated “we’ve found somebody”, if injury free, he’s a certainty early.
  4. Tom Derickx – Richmond $113k 201cm 23yo – With big wraps last season, a lot people had Derickx pegged for round one last season only to see him get injured and to save his likely debut to till this year.  The only concern is that Maric and Graham are likely to be ahead of him in the selection queue with Vickery helping out.
  5. Sam Grimley – Hawthorn  $113k 109cm 22yo – With Bailey out with another devastating injury for half a season, though, at least it was his wrist and not another ACL.  Roughy will be lucky to play at all, and if he does, I can almost guarantee it wont be in the ruck, So opportunity is rife for the paper-thin ruck stocks in Hawk land.  Watch the round one teams for Sam’s name.

Others for consideration are Billy Longer Bris $161k, Josh Jenkins Adel $113k, Andrew Phillips GWS $124k

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32 thoughts on “NAB Cup Rookie Review – Rucks”

  1. Giles and Redden for mine but Big O is in the periphery for sure. He just hasn’t done much during NAB to get me too excited that,s all

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  2. Reckon McCauley could have overtaken both Grimley and Lowden after playing on the weekend and getting a mention in the post-match. Clarko will be keen to have Hale forward as much as possible after he has clunked everything in pre-season. Also takes the focus off Buddy and releases him up the ground.

    All that could mean a good chunk of game time for McCauley and I’m seriously considering getting him in ahead of Big O.

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  3. Great rookie review Big Sexy! Will be a huge help to all the supercoach newbies out there. Looking forward to the next one 🙂 Billy Longer is goin to be a future star & his NAB form has been exceptional. BTW Does anyone know what happened to former Tigers but now Hawks ruckmen Adam Pattison? How come he aint in Hawthorns ruck plans this season?

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  4. Was waiting all year for the rookie reviews to start! Great write up mate, got redden at R2, Giles and Stephensons at R3 & R4

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  5. I agree that Longer is looking good, and McCauley is worth keeping an eye on, especially after his performances last year.

    Is Rowe any chance of a game at the Blues?

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  6. I though McCauley… Then I saw he’s price. $230k for someone who was ragdolled when he played last season (not to mention burning those who stupidly brought him in as a cash cow… Hands up who immediately regretted that trade!). Not for me (again) … Mummy, Sauce, Giles and Redden. Locked and loaded.

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  7. Example of new rule… Upgrading FWD:-
    Sam Rowe (FWD/RUC) in FWD line
    Jon Giles (RUC) in RUC

    – Trade Jon Giles and move Sam Rowe From FWD to RUC
    – Use cash to upgrade in FWD

    Benefit… You only use one trade, where in the past you would have needed two.

    The trading system is pretty cool if NRL Supercoach is anything to go by (same site design). Only downside in NRL is the inability to search a player while in the trading screen (noting the trading mechanisms were identical between AFL and NRL in preseason – i.e. search function was available when trades unlimited).

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  8. Gents,

    With the evolution of the ruck strategy over the last couple of weeks, any possibility of a straw poll to see if people are still keen on the 1 premium – 3 rookie strategy (vs. the traditional 2 premium – 2 rookie strategy)?

    Otherwise, a simple thumbs Up or Down will suffice …

    Thumbs UP for 1 premium & 3 rookies
    Thumbs DOWN for 2 premium & 2 rookies

    Cheers.

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