Ranking the top 10 ruckmen in the AFL

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. Rowan Marshall Marshall continued to impress for the Saints over the 2021 season. His work around the ground helps him stand out amongst the competition despite not putting up outstanding numbers in the hit-out categories. Marshall put out above average stats in tackles (3.0), disposals (15.6) and goals (0.7) while putting up elite numbers in marks (4.8) and kicks (10.5), highlighting how his presence around the ground makes him a game-changer. [player_widget player_id='rowan-marshall' season='2021' stats='Tackles,Goals,Disposals' position="Ruck"] Toby Nankervis Nankervis is another tall whose work off the ball sets him apart from his rivals. At 199cm, Nankervis puts up incredible numbers in terms of his disposals and is essential to helping the Tigers move the ball around as quick as they do. Nankervis ranks second for rucks in both disposals (16.7) and handballs (9.6), both in the elite category, making him the perfect fit for the Tigers' quick style of play and a standout amongst his fellow rucks. [player_widget player_id='toby-nankervis' season='2021' stats='Handballs,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] Tim English The young ruckman continues to impress during his time with the Doggies, with his ability going forward making him very versatile as an addition to Luke Beveridge's attacking third. Although his hit-out statistics don't quite match up to some of the rucks ranked on this list, his work around the ground and in front of goals set him apart from the competition. English ranks elite in marks per game (4.7) and goals per game (0.9) https://twitter.com/westernbulldogs/status/1381172921981341696 Jarrod Witts Witts has become one of the Suns' standout players during the course of his career with the Queensland club. The 209cm ruck has played 122 games for Gold Coast and has staked his claim as one of the better rucks in the competition. Witts puts up above average stats in all the important metrics for a ruck. Averaging 29 hit-outs, nine hit-outs to advantage, as well as four clearances and 13.7 disposals shows he does more than the average ruckman and highlights why he's so important for the Suns. [player_widget player_id='jarrod-witts' season='2021' stats='Kicks,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] Todd Goldstein The veteran Roo has maintained his reputation as an outstanding ruckman and remains one of North's most consistent performers throughout their inconsistencies. 'Goldy' put up above average stats in six separate categories, being disposals, kicks, handballs, total clearances, hit-outs and hit-outs to advantage. The 33-year-old also managed to play all 22 games for North last season, playing five more games than the year before. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1414526885434851329 Reilly O'Brien The 202cm Crow really proved his worth during the 2021 season. Having to step up since the departure of Sam Jacobs, O'Brien stood out in an underperforming Adelaide side and put up consistent performances all year round. Although he doesn't offer much in terms of scoring, only averaging 0.1 goals per game, his disposals, marks, handballs, clearances and hit-outs are all ranked above average in comparison to the other ruckman in the competition, showcasing what makes O'Brien such an important player for the Crows. [player_widget player_id='reilly-obrien' season='2021' stats='Clearances,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] Sean Darcy 2021 was a breakout season for the young Docker. Darcy was an outsider on our top 10 this time last year, but has quickly established himself as one of the best rucks in the league throughout his outstanding 2021 performances with Freo. Darcy put up elite statistics in handballs (9.2), total clearances (4.7) and hit-outs to advantage (10), as well as ranking above average in disposals, kicks, and hit-outs. [player_widget player_id='sean-darcy' season='2021' stats='Hitouts,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] Nic Naitanui 'Nic Nat' was back to his best in the 2021 season, playing 22 games for the first time since 2010. the 202cm ruckman put aside previous injury woes to remind the league just how impactful of a player he can be when fully fit. Naitanui ranked third in the league for average hit-outs (31.1) second in the league for hit-outs to advantage (12.3) and fifth in the entire league for total clearances (7.2), more than any other ruckman. https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1404035589616381955 Brodie Grundy An elite player both on the ball and as a ruck, Grundy was one of Collingwood's standout players in what was otherwise a fairly disappointing season for the Pies. Despite Collingwood's struggles, Grundy maintained his place among the top echelon of ruckmen from previous seasons, cementing himself as one of the best talls in the league without question. Grundy leads the league's big men in average disposals per game (19.1), handballs per game (9.9) and hit-outs per game (32.4), proving just how good his on-ball skills are for a player of his stature. [player_widget player_id='brodie-grundy' season='2021' stats='Hitouts,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] 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. https://twitter.com/MelbourneFooty/status/1436292556413825024

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Ranking the top 10 ruckmen in the AFL

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