Hawthorn Expecting Big Things In 2008
The Hawks didn't have a lot of ruck options in 2007, but in 2008 their biggest ruckman will make a comeback. Max Bailey, Campbell and Taylor provide a lot of size in the ruck. Second year player Brent Renouf and Luke McEntee, who was promoted from the rookie list, are extra depth in the ruck department.
From the Hawthorn site: Taking it to the Max
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Campbell looked like he would have a big fantasy season in 2007, after Bailey was injured, but Taylor showed he had improved a lot and Hawthorn split the ruck minutes down the middle with those two.
The ruck situation is now a bit more complicated, and Bailey is a good chance to push Taylor out of the side. But unless one of the ruckmen establishes themselves as the clear number 1, who plays a majority of the minutes available, it won't be a great situation for selecting fantasy ruckmen.
The preseason games last year gave a clear indication of what Hawthorn were going to do in the ruck. Once again it will be the preseason games that will help fantasy coaches figure out what Hawthorn’s ruck rankings are, and after a game or two there might be a vastly different starting ruck division than there was a year ago.
From the Hawthorn site: Taking it to the Max
Robbie Campbell and Simon Taylor played every game for the Hawks last year, forming an imposing combination for Alastair Clarkson’s side.
“It’s given Simon a great opportunity, and he had a great year last year … and then we’ve got Luke McEntee and Brett Renouf, so there’s a fair bit of competition there now which also scares me a bit because I’ve got to get past them.”
“It’s given Simon a great opportunity, and he had a great year last year … and then we’ve got Luke McEntee and Brett Renouf, so there’s a fair bit of competition there now which also scares me a bit because I’ve got to get past them.”
AFL Fantasy Impact:
Campbell looked like he would have a big fantasy season in 2007, after Bailey was injured, but Taylor showed he had improved a lot and Hawthorn split the ruck minutes down the middle with those two.
The ruck situation is now a bit more complicated, and Bailey is a good chance to push Taylor out of the side. But unless one of the ruckmen establishes themselves as the clear number 1, who plays a majority of the minutes available, it won't be a great situation for selecting fantasy ruckmen.
The preseason games last year gave a clear indication of what Hawthorn were going to do in the ruck. Once again it will be the preseason games that will help fantasy coaches figure out what Hawthorn’s ruck rankings are, and after a game or two there might be a vastly different starting ruck division than there was a year ago.
The Hawthorn ruckmen are workmanlike, and with their many onballers helping them the ruckmen only have to break even with the opposition ruckmen for Hawthorn to have a good chance of winning.
The Hawthorn ruckmen would be behind the teams you mentioned, but they are also young and can improve a bit more.
Maybe there needs to be a countdown for ruck rankings by team, although it would be very difficult to separate Geelong, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Brisbane as they are loaded with star ruckmen, Sydney and Fremantle also have some big stars in the ruck too.