Debate continues as to who is the best ruckman in the AFL at the present time.
Kane Cornes declared West Coast star Nic Naitanui the game’s best ruckman over the likes of Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and Todd Goldstein.
According to Champion Data rankings, Melbourne’s Gawn is the most impactful ruckman in the competition with North Melbourne veteran Goldstein, Naitanui, St Kilda recruit Paddy Ryder and Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts making up the top five.
Down in ninth position is Collingwood superstar Brodie Grundy who still isn’t on the same wavelength as the Magpies midfield brigade.
For example, Collingwood won 23 more hit-outs but lost the clearance count by 15 in Sunday’s loss to Fremantle.
“It just rolls off the tongue that Gawn’s had a great year, Natinaui’s had a great year, Grundy’s had a great year … has he had a great year?” Garry Lyon asked on Fox Footy’s On The Couch
Gerard Healy said in response: “I don’t think he has. I think he’s had a couple of great games early in the piece and I think he’s battled a fair bit in recent times.
“Grundy is one of the real superstars of the competition, he’s a top 5-10 player in the competition.
“Right now, his impact is being adjudged as the ninth best ruckman in the competition.
“Collingwood can’t afford him not to be challenging right up there with the top groups if they are going to go on and make the eight and have a genuine challenge at the flag.”
Below are the top 10 ruckmen in the AFL based on Champion Data’s rankings:
- Max Gawn (Melbourne)
- Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)
- Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
- Paddy Ryder (St Kilda)
- Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast)
- Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)
- Marc Pittonet (Carlton)
- Riley O’Brien (Adelaide)
- Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
- Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)