As the 2022 season approaches, we take a look at the best performing ruckmen throughout the 2021 season to try and gauge which of these talls sits on top of the rankings going into the new season.

Here is our top 10 list of the best ruckmen in the league for this upcoming season.

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1. Max Gawn

Maintaining the number one spot, the Melbourne big man has proven himself time and time again to be undoubtedly the best ruckman in the competition.

Gawn has been gone from strength to strength each year for Dees throughout his career, with the 2021 season being one of his best yet.

Gawn slaughtered his opposition in terms of hit-outs last season, winning 805 for the year. That's 118 more hit-outs than second-placed Nic-Nat with 687. He ranks elite in disposals, kicks, marks and hit-outs, proving why he deserves the number one spot on the list.

The big man also does his fare share of work around the ground. Gawn was well clear of any other ruckman in terms of disposals last season, racking up 462 for the year with an average of 18.5 per game. He also went on to kick 16 goals for the year, putting him third amongst the leading ruck goal scorers for the 2021 season.

Add in his crows as a premiership captain, and there's no argument for Gawn's place atop the list.

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