The ruck landscape is changing in AFL Supercoach 2022 with more premium options available than ever before.
Previously, you could generally set-and-forget star ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy for the entire season.
However, some new challengers to the throne have emerged in 2022.
Sporting News looks at the prices of the AFL ruckmen and analyses the questions you want answered.
Top 10 Premium Ruck Prices
| Name | Club | 2020 Avg. | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Gawn | Melbourne | 120.8 | $657,400 |
| Sean Darcy | Fremantle | 118.0 | $642,600 |
| Nic Naitanui | West Coast | 115.3 | $627,400 |
| Brodie Grundy | Collingwood | 115.2 | $627,100 |
| Tom Hickey | Sydney | 103.3 | $562,000 |
| Todd Goldstein | North Melbourne | 100.8 | $548,800 |
| Rowan Marshall | St Kilda | 98.6 | $536,800 |
| Reilly O'Brien | Adelaide | 95.7 | $520,600 |
| Scott Lycett | Port Adelaide | 94.2 | $512,600 |
| Oscar McInerney | Brisbane | 93.6 | $509,600 |
The set-and-forget Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy ruck duo is finally being challenged by Fremantle star Sean Darcy.
Despite being hampered by an injury in the early part of last season, Darcy still averaged 118 and established himself as a Supercoach elite ruckman. With not much threat of his ruck time being stolen, like Gawn's situation with Luke Jackson, it appears Darcy is close to a lock.
Doubting Gawn will be done at your peril but you have to wonder whether his score average will suffer with the development of Jackson.
Both Grundy and Nic Naitanui are capable of being premium options, but will their bodies hold up, having had significant injury issues in past seasons.
MORE: Price and selection guides: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
Cheaper Premium Ruck Options
| Name | Club | 2020 Avg. | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toby Nankervis | Richmond | 93.6 | $509,300 |
| Jonathon Ceglar | Geelong | 90.3 | $491,700 |
| Ben McEvoy | Hawthorn | 88.9 | $483,700 |
| Tim English | Bulldogs | 88.7 | $482,600 |
| Luke Jackson | Melbourne | 71.6 | $389,800 |
Cheaper premium ruck options will be few and far between in the two main spots this season, but some coaches seem to be keen on Luke Jackson, who has forward eligibility and looks to be developing into a great player.
Rookie Ruck Options
Take a look at our full rookie and cash cow guide here.
MORE: Price and selection guides: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
