Set and forget. It's seems the obvious and easiest choice when starting your SuperCoach or Fantasy sides each season - opting for the pairing of Demons captain Max Gawn and Magpies star Brodie Grundy as your one-two punch.
Head and shoulders above the rest of the ruck crop, Gawn and Grundy are sure to do damage when you come up against them, but their starting price is sure do just as much pain to your starting budget.
Starting at a SuperCoach/AFL Fantasy starting price of $751,400/$944,000, Max Gawn will leave a large hole in your pocket early, but his 2020 averages of 139.9/98.9 prove his worth to your side.
Grundy sits at $648,200/$867,000 to start the year and looms as the more popular option across both fantasy codes. understood to have shaken off any injury complaint ahead of the new year, we could see the Collingwood big man return to his very best.
With only two starting ruck spots up for grabs, we name the formidable options outside of the set and forget model.
SuperCoach: $593,700
Fantasy: $653,000
The words "injury prone" are usually aligned with the Eagles ruckman, but with a near full season in 2020 we can only hope his poor run of injuries are behind him.
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A strong finish to last year should have the athletic big man in your sights, with six scores of over 120 SuperCoach points coming in his final eight games in 2020.
Whilst still high, his price is sure to save you plenty in comparison to Gawn and/or Grundy.
SuperCoach: $570,800
Fantasy: $828,000
The highest average amongst ruckman outside of Gawn and Grundy last season in AFL Fantasy, ROB firms as a one of the more popular premium options should you abolish the set and forget mentality.
With his trajectory on the rise, the Adelaide ruckman is in line for an improved season in 2021 and could be on his way to joining the aforementioned star duo.
With a comfortable opening run to the Crows' season, ROB could be a strong option to increase in price before cashing out in favour of Grundy or Gawn.
SuperCoach: $601,700
Fantasy: $760,000
Consistently the third cab on the rank, Goldstein is Mr.Reliable when it comes to options outside the top two.
With another impeccable SuperCoach season last year at an average of 112 points per game, Goldstein was the clear next-best option for your ruck stocks.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
As he fails to let father time get in his way, there's no ruling out the big Kangaroo from your options.
SuperCoach:$551,200
Fantasy:$698,000
After cracking the triple-figure average last year in SuperCoach whilst also boasting a respectable 73.1 in Fantasy, English is on the up and looking towards a big improvement this year.
While also pocketing you some extra green, English will be utilised in the Bulldogs' forward 50 should he need a break from hit-outs, with veteran Stefan Martin offering a helping hand this year.
Highlighted by his 204 SuperCoach score against the Bombers last year, English has a massive roof and is only going to improve on his seasons prior.
SuperCoach: $378,100
Fantasy:Â $454,000
The cheap option on our list, Draper firms as the up and coming tall to keep your eye on.
Following impressive glimpses in 2020, Draper has plenty of untapped potential and is destined to break the one hundred mark on multiple occasions.
A solid score of 71 SuperCoach points from just 58% TOG against Geelong in the AAMI Community Series is a great sign ahead of the new year.
The VERY cheap option on our list.
2021 looks to be the year of the ruck rookies, with Paul Hunter, Matt Flynn, Josh Treacy, Riley Thilthorpe and Lloyd Meek all in contention for Round 1.
Unlikely to give you a premium score, any of the aforementioned are guaranteed to save you some pocket money to strengthen elsewhere.
A premium ruck option along with a one-two punch of rookie rucks at R2 and R3 could prove to be the difference in making cash early into the season.