In Round 1, eight teams selected at least two players who could play as a lead ruckman. There was no consistent trend in how these sides performed.
Immobile ruckmen used to be as common as a Carlton supporter burning their membership midway through the season, but now they have evolved to become solo tap-men who must also contribute as a midfielder.
Some teams have struck gold, while others rely on two big men to get the job done while sneaking forward.
Is your team striking the right balance with their ruckmen?
The teams who played with two ruckmen in Round 1
It's going to be an interesting week at the selection table for Brisbane.
Long-time ruckman Stefan Martin was clearly hampered with a knee complaint during the Lions' win over Fremantle and is in doubt to line up against the Eagles this weekend.
Luckily, the versatile Oscar McInerney can help cover the losses and deliver potency up forward, with the 204cm talent notching up 19 hit-outs, 13 disposals and a goal last Saturday.
With McInerney poised to spend extra minutes in the midfield, rookie Sam Skinner or Archie Smith could be deployed in attack, while Eric Hipwood has proven he's capable of pinch-hitting in the ruck.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Yes... just
VERDICT: If Martin isn’t fit, give McInerney first go in the ruck and let Hipwood back him up.
With star ruckman Brodie Grundy, you wouldn’t think Collingwood would feel the need to give him some back-up. But since 2018, Mason Cox has been his rucking partner while also playing as a tall forward.
On Thursday night, Darcy Cameron made his debut in place of the injured Cox. He took some telling marks around the ground, but only managed the four hit-outs in a slippery night that made it difficult for big men. Grundy was slightly under-par with his output, getting 33 hit-outs to go with his 15 touches.
A bit more from Grundy may have gotten them over the line in their draw, but the pair still comfortably accounted for Richmond in the ruck.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Yes.
VERDICT: Nothing to change here, just a debate of whether Cameron or Cox works best.
The Dockers would have expected ruckmen Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb to take it up to Brisbane. Instead, Darcy had a shocker – only 14 hit-outs and four disposals against back-up big man Oscar McInerney.
Lobb was more of a presence down forward, yet still managed to chip in with 11 disposals and seven hit-outs.
Darcy really needs to improve quickly, or else he may give up the main ruck role to Lobb. But Lobb is needed down forward – the Dockers’ forward line is crying out for a tall target.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: No, definitely not.
VERDICT: Keep Darcy and Lobb, but the spotlight is on them to give more.
The main criticism against Geelong is their ruck stocks. Darcy Fort had the job in Round 1, but he made way for Rhys Stanley against Hawthorn. Stanley impressed, knocking up 26 hit-outs to go with his six clearances, two goals and 14 disposals. It’s safe to say he had a night out.
Esava Ratugolea continued his role as second ruckman and tall forward, kicking a goal to go with his eight hit-outs. The Cats need more from him, for Stanley won’t be so dominant every week.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Big yes.
VERDICT: A firing Stanley means playing two talls works perfectly. They just need consistency.
On the other hand, Geelong’s opponent in Hawthorn had a shocking night.
Alastair Clarkson continued his experiment with ruckman Ben McEvoy playing as a key defender. It’s worked before, but McEvoy only had one hit-out and seven disposals. It was a waste of such a good talent.
In his place, Jonathon Ceglar performed admirably, getting 30 hit-outs and 13 disposals. Tim O’Brien also helped with two hit-outs. There’s one clear change to be made for the Hawks, but it’ll remain to be seen whether both Ceglar and McEvoy can play in the same team.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: No.
VERDICT: Move McEvoy into the ruck and push Ceglar forward to help Patton out. If they are too slow, it may be Ceglar who has to make way.
Scott Lycett rucked all over Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien, with 32 hit-outs and 15 possessions. Alongside Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff, the Port big men gave the Crows' midfield nothing.
Despite having three rucking options, the Power have worked out their balance perfectly. Westhoff is reliable anywhere on the ground, while Dixon is primarily a key forward who kicks goals.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Definitely.
VERDICT: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Much like Port Adelaide, St Kilda’s twin towers in Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall wreaked all sorts of havoc against the Bulldogs.
Ryder dominated with 28 hit-outs; Marshall gathered 21 hit-outs, while he also kicked a goal with his 11 touches. Unlike most expectations, it was Marshall who spent more time up forward. It was a stroke of genius. Now, they have a massive assignment in Brodie Grundy.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Two thumbs up.
VERDICT: Ryder and Marshall could become the most menacing pair of big men in the AFL.
Despite losing Scott Lycett, West Coast still have many ruck options. Nic Naitanui’s return from injury makes them potent – his 36 hit-outs were impressive, but he only touched the footy nine times in a disappointing effort.
Oscar Allen continues to blossom as a second ruck/forward option, getting seven hit-outs to go with his two majors. This pairing should work brilliantly for the Eagles, as long as Nic Nat becomes more dangerous around the ground.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: 50/50 call.
VERDICT: West Coast still have Tom Hickey waiting in the wings, but he shouldn’t be needed if Allen continues to improve rapidly.
Sides with the one ruckman in Round One
Reilly O’Brien had a stellar 2019 season, forcing his way ahead of Sam Jacobs. But with Jacobs gone, the young ruckman had a horrible Showdown. He was beaten comfortably by Lycett in the hit-outs, and only had 16 touches.
Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty helped him out with little impact. With all of the Crows’ eggs in O’Brien’s basket, they need him to rediscover his 2019 form.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Absolutely not.
VERDICT: there could be massive trouble if O’Brien doesn’t improve.
With Matthew Kreuzer out for the rest of the season, ex-Hawk Marc Pittonet performed admirably against a rampant Max Gawn. He was shaded by the Melbourne captain, but still had 23 hit-outs and 14 disposals. Out of a disappointing loss, Pittonet is a glimmer of hope. Levi Casboult also helped with three hit-outs.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Not entirely, but there's encouraging signs.
VERDICT: Nothing to change; let Pittonet keep going.
Usually reliable, Tom Bellchambers was relatively quiet in Round 2. He still managed 27 hit-outs, but his five possessions are a worry - the Bombers need him to become dangerous forward of centre to help a small forward line. Shaun McKernan was handy up forward, but could only muster the three hit-outs.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: No.
VERDICT: The Bombers have no other option then the Bellchambers/ McKernan combo. But with the former only getting older, the ruck may become their Achilles heel in 2020.
Jarrod Witts has been a wonderful pick up for the young Suns. On Saturday night he slightly out-shone Naitanui, racking up 23 hit-outs and 14 disposals against Naitanui. Sam Day showed his skill as a back-up ruck, getting five hit-outs alongside his 18 touches and two goals.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Yes.
VERDICT: A good balance, for Day is better suited up forward and will only be rarely needed in the middle while Witts is fit.
In seasons past, Shane Mumford gave his all but struggled against the competition’s leading ruckmen. His replacement in Sam Jacobs had a mixed day. He was shaded by a rampant Todd Goldstein, yet still racked up 31 hit-outs. Jeremy Finlayson was once again handy in backing up Jacobs with three hit-outs and two goals.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Not really.
VERDICT: Finlayson is one of the AFL’s best second ruck/ forward players. But the Giants need more from Jacobs.
It’s all Max Gawn.
The new skipper had a big day – 34 hit-outs and 21 disposals led his team to a narrow victory. He was the only Demon to win a hit-out, and did it all. The only issue is his support (or lack of it) – Gawn needs some assistance before he hurts himself. But with such a small team it may be hard pressed to find enough tall options to help.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Definitely.
VERDICT: Thumbs up for Gawn, but they need Luke Jackson to develop quickly.
If Melbourne had Max Gawn, the Kangaroos had Todd Goldstein.
He killed Sim Jacobs with 51 hit-outs, 19 touches and a goal. He had no help, but none was needed. Ben Brown will be capable of helping out in future, as will Nick Larkey when he returns from injury.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Massive, massive yes.
VERDICT: Goldstein is their key, but they have enough depth and balance to make their rucking a strong point.
Usually the Tigers don’t care about ruckmen, and it works.
But in the past few match ups with Collingwood, Brodie Grundy has controlled the middle and made them look vulnerable. Ivan Soldo was given first go ahead of Toby Nankervis, and did ok with 23 hit-outs and six touches. But he had no back up. Only Jack Riewoldt could help with a single hit-out.
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: No, but when does it ever work for the Tigers?
VERDICT: Bring in Chol or Nankervis if Tom Lynch is unable to ruck. But with this comes a problem with team balance. What they’d give to have Grigg again.
Callum Sinclair was back, and held his own with 27 hit-outs, 13 touches and a major. Aliir Aliir played back up with seven hit-outs. It’s definitely an improvement for the Swans, but is Sinclair a long-term option? Also, can Tom McCartin develop to help in the ruck?
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: Yes, just...
VERDICT: It’s ok for now, but they’ll be exposed by teams with better ruck duos.
Tim English is their one big hope, and fizzed with 12 touches and 10 hit-outs. He struggled against Ryder and Marshall, while Josh Bruce and Lin Jong could only get a hit-out each. English is still learning, and needs more help. Should they have let go of Jordan Roughead so easily?
DID IT WORK IN ROUND 2: No, no, no.
VERDICT: They need Jackson Trengrove – way too much pressure is on English without any reliable assistance.
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