Our next instalment of 'start, bench, cut' sees us examine three of the AFL's rising ruckmen in the Western Bulldogs' Tim English, Fremantle's Sean Darcy and Essendon's Sam Draper.
As we dissect the careers and recent form of the trio of talls, we hypothetically ponder who to 'start' (our number one choice), 'bench' (our runner-up) and 'cut' (our odd man out).
We make a case for each of the three to 'start', before revealing our final verdict.
Tim English
2022 is shaping to be a big year for English, who is set to come out of contract at the end of the season and will be looking to secure a wealthy extension.
The tall, high-marking Bulldog has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his five-year career to date, but hasn't been as consistently dominant as the likes of Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy or Nic Naitanui.
During the Bulldogs' runner-up season last year, English averaged 4.7 marks and 0.9 goals per game (both career-highs) to go with 13.2 disposals, 2.9 tackles and 15.5 hit-outs per contest.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Throughout his time at the Bulldogs, the 24-year-old has showcased his exquisite tap-work, marking ability and tendency to push forward and hit the scoreboard.
However, possessing a leaner frame than most AFL ruckmen, English lacks that extra bit of physicality and aggressiveness at the contest, which at times leaves him on the back foot against the league's best.
Sean Darcy
Dockers fans couldn't have asked for a more promising successor to Aaron Sandilands than Darcy.
The 23-year-old, a 203cm wrecking ball at the contest, was picked 38th by Fremantle in 2016, but didn't really burst onto the scene until 2019 as a replacement for the injured Sandilands. However, after 'Sandy's retirement at the end of that season, the No. 1 ruck mantle at the Dockers became Darcy's to lose.
Darcy had a monster year in 2021, playing 21 games and averaging an impressive 16.6 disposals, 4.3 marks, 0.6 goals and 4.7 clearances (all career-highs) per outing.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Darcy ranked 9th in hit-outs per game in 2021 (sixth in the AFL for total hit-outs), while polling ninth in the league in total hit-outs during the shortened 2020 season.
Heading into the 2022 season, it would be foolish not to categorise the Geelong Falcons product as one of the AFL's premier ruckmen.
Sam Draper
After the retirement of Bombers stalwart and ruckman Tom Bellchambers at the end of the 2020 season, the Bombers suddenly became in the market for a full-time ruck. Enter the little-known Draper, who started making a name for himself in 2020.
Draper, the first overall selection by Essendon at the 2016 Rookie Draft, had to wait three years for his first taste of AFL action, which came during the COVID-interrupted 2020 season, throughout which he managed to play in almost half of the Bombers' games.
The 23-year-old, unafraid of contact or getting his hands dirty at the contest, had an eye-opening 2021 campaign that was highlighted by his monumental elimination final outing against the Bulldogs when he notched 18 disposals, five marks, four tackles and 44 hit-outs against fellow 'start, bench, cut' rival Tim English.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Going into 2022, most will be expecting the mulleted tall to make another leap and establish himself as one of the AFL's household ruckmen.
Verdict
Start: Darcy
Bench: English
Cut: Draper
It's near impossible to overlook Darcy as the 'start' here. In terms of potential career ceiling, he looks to be the most promising of the threesome as of right now. And at just 23 years of age, he is quickly developing as one of the league's dominant rucks.
Next, we've chosen to 'bench' English. The 207cm Bulldog is a force to be reckoned with at the best of times, but has also displayed inconsistency. The next couple of seasons will be telling for English, especially as he enters his 'prime years' and looks to gain a long-term contract.
Finally, we've decided to 'cut' Draper - for now. Due to the fact that he's the most untried of the three ruckmen (21 career games, compared to English's 69 and Darcy's 62), it would be a bit premature to give him the edge over Darcy or English at this point. However, the boisterous Bomber could soon find himself the top choice of this trio if he continues on his positive trajectory. But, for now, it's wait-and-see with Draper.
