AFL Supercoach rucks used to be a relatively easy set-and-forget process, but in 2023 selection for your team looks a lot more complicated.
With only six ruckman scoring an 100-plus average last season and a variety off-season moves potentially affecting their scoring this campaign, it's going to be a tough line to deal with.
The Sporting News helps you navigate the AFL Supercoach 2023 ruck situation.
Top 10 Premium Ruck Prices
| Name | Club | 2022 Avg. | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Gawn | Melbourne | 113.0 | $622,100 |
| Jarrod Witts | Gold Coast | 109.9 | $605,100 |
| Tim English | Western Bulldogs | 105.5 | $581,000 |
| Sean Darcy | Fremantle | 102.1 | $562,600 |
| Reilly O'Brien | Adelaide | 101.8 | $560,500 |
| Nic Naitanui | West Coast | 97.6 | $537,500 |
| Mark Blicavs (MID) | Geelong | 97.6 | $537,200 |
| Toby Nankervis | Richmond | 96.5 | $531,100 |
| Todd Goldstein | North Melbourne | 93.2 | $513,300 |
| Brodie Grundy | Melbourne | 103.5 | $512,900 |
Max Gawn has been a hugely popular pick in the past few years but how will the arrival of Brodie Grundy at Demonland affect his scoring? It's almost too much of a risk to outlay the $600k on him.
Jarrod Witts and Tim English enjoyed breakout Supercoach seasons in 2022, but will they back it up this campaign?
Grundy appears to be value if he returns to his All-Australian form at Collingwood, but what will his role be alongside Gawn?
Sean Darcy is another ruckman on the up but how much ruck time will Luke Jackson snare at Fremantle?
Cheaper Premium Ruck Options
| Name | Club | 2022 Avg. | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan Marshall | St Kilda | 92.0 | $506,500 |
| Darcy Cameron | Collingwood | 84.6 | $465,900 |
| Luke Jackson | Fremantle | 84.5 | $465,500 |
| Sam Draper | Essendon | 72.4 | $398,700 |
Surprisingly, the top two picked ruckman are both cheaper options in Rowan Marshall (42%) and Darcy Cameron (25%).
Marshall will assume the No.1 ruck role at St Kilda after the retirement of Paddy Ryder, while Cameron doesn't have to compete with Brodie Grundy anymore.
Luke Jackson could be a value pick if he has plenty of ruck time, while Sam Draper has shown signs and is below $400k in price.
Rookie Ruck Options
Check out our guide to AFL Supercoach rookies in 2023: AFL Supercoach 2023: Rookies, cash cows and cheapies to keep an eye on