What is stopping people from picking up Cox this year? Cox averaged > Sandilands in 09 (played less games), had his first off year last year, but played all 22. Even with the down year, he finished with the 2nd most points overall...are people expecting him to bounce back to 100 pts average, making him a pretty good R1 when comparing starting price to Sandilands...
Jolly, seems a really tempting R2, because he "finished the season so well". At the moment I have him pencilled in there, but in reality, last season he hit his long term SC average and 80ppg may be all he is capable of over a season. 2009 may have been one out of the box!
Looking seriously at Jacobs myself. Should be number 1 ruck in Adelaide and showed in limited time at the Blues last year that he can rack up scores. Could be a smoky R2.
Unsure about Jacobs but yeah should be number 1 ruck at Adelaide. I still see Jacobs as a bit of a dinosaur and so might not completely fit into the Craig gameplan. Jolly Cox for mine is decent value given the Eagle is fit. If not then I think you have to once again consider Lurch.
With macintosh under the injury cloud does that promote Goldsteine, might be worth a close look over the preseason. NN is intersting average 71 last year played 22 games and will only get better. It is possible he could end up averaging around 85. Will be intersting how the new rule affect the NN - cox combo.
Cox is past his prime, turning 30 in August, and has Naitanui to compete with. Jolly and Sandilands look like better options at R1, and I like the idea of a midpriced R2. There seem to be better midpriced ruck options this year than in previous years. I have Fraser in R2, but could understand people putting Petrie, Hale, Stanley or Jacobs in there.
I'm a bit cautious of Jacobs at Adelaide... So many people are considering him based on Carlton's QF vs Sydney last year when he dominated the ruck. However, he had little competition, as Mumford injured himself the week before and was on one leg, and Seaby was out injured. So he was up against the might of Mike Pyke, who, let's face it, is a great story, but not the greatest ruckman floating around. Also, with Tippett floating around, surely there will only be one ruck spot up for grabs at Adelaide, so he is likely to be up against a guy that played every game from round 2 to 22 (Maric). What thoughts are there on Ryder and Hille this year? Does anyone know how their preseasons are going, and which would be more likely to spend more time on the ball?
<blockquote>Quote from griff on January 24, 2011, 19:44 Cox is past his prime, turning 30 in August, and has Naitanui to compete with. Jolly and Sandilands look like better options at R1, and I like the idea of a midpriced R2. </blockquote> This is a graph that was knocked up a couple of years ago by one of the good folk from NP- so the data from 2008 (and is DT)- however: <img src="http://tooserious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RuckbyAgeRadar1.jpg" /> Write off a 30 year old ruck at your own peril- funnily, it's their peak.
<blockquote>Quote from griff on January 24, 2011, 19:44 Cox is past his prime, turning 30 in August, and has Naitanui to compete with. Jolly and Sandilands look like better options at R1, and I like the idea of a midpriced R2. </blockquote> This is a graph that was knocked up a couple of years ago- so the data from 2008 (and is DT)- however: <img src="http://tooserious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RuckbyAgeRadar1.jpg" /> Write off a 30 year old ruck at your own peril- funnily, it's their peak.
<blockquote>Quote from griff on January 24, 2011, 19:44 Cox is past his prime, turning 30 in August, and has Naitanui to compete with. Jolly and Sandilands look like better options at R1, and I like the idea of a midpriced R2. </blockquote> This is a graph that was knocked up a couple of years ago- so the data from 2008 (and is DT)- however: <img src="http://tooserious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RuckbyAgeRadar1-e1295868081659.jpg" /> Write off a 30 year old ruck at your own peril- funnily, it's their peak.
Third time lucky mate? I think a big factor that will influence peoples ruck strategies will be whether Petrie genuinely looks like playing if he is over his injury, or any other r/f look like scoring often. If they do, then having them up forward with a r/f at r4 will be a popular option. Otherwise, people might be tempted to spend a bit extra on two durable rucks in addition to a greater-than cash cow ruck3. I'm usually a fan of picking players that i think will appreciate in value (with the exception of gaz in previous years) which is making Lurch a difficult pick as i don't think he'll go up any more. But at the same time, even if he were to fall a bit, there's every chance he'll still be the #1 scoring ruckman and for each round you go without him, it could hurt if you aren't making that points up elsewhere. Sandi for me this year is my gazza - locked. Will be keeping an eye on Seaby throughout the nab cup to see if it looks like he'll be knocking mumford off the #1 ruck spot or not.
Is that just because not many rucks are still playing by age 30? Therefore is the sample that averaged close to 90 a small and exclusive group of the games best ruckmen as the "worst" rucks have been weeded out of the system before they hit 30? For a true reflection of age, you may need a graph that has, say, the top 5 rucks at each age group. Does that make sense?
Aye, it is certainly helped by Everitt, Lade, White and Simmonds all having stella 30ths. Though you are right, the sample size was fairly small- I'll have a dig around and see if I can't refine in the not too distant future.
We all thought the same thing about Chappy last year as well in the guts... Cox is in the mix to get a run for DAZZLER... We just need to be able to know that they can go forward and 1 or 2 from now on in stead of the bench so much, it might tire the older ones earlier... INTERESTING YEAR COMING UP !!
Griff I am not against the idea of a midpriced R2 so long as one of your rucks has DP. NicNat, not sure about him. You'd think he should improve, but will he be moved around the ground so both he and Cox can both be on the field together? Structures at WCE pretty important for us to have a look at in the NAB Eagles2011, I think if Cox is still going round at 30 maybe he is one of those great rucks in what would be a small sample size who is just good enough to play at the high level. I don't like Hille for durability, but Ryder is a very good option in my view. Hird will want to give him plenty of chances to become a star, and on a list that's pretty average on the whole, he's probably the most likely to step up to that level (Watson aside)
No doubt Cox is quality and I am still considering him. IMO, less interchange players means that rucks with the fitness level of Cox will spend less time on the bench as teams try to maintain the amount of rest time that midfielders get.
Even if Cox's gametime is limited by Naitanui, which I doubt it will be, he'll just rest in the forwardline when Naita is getting a run - Cox will still average high 90s. Last season he was restricted by injury and is looking great this pre-season. Underpriced, proven SC star that is a must have, especially if you are considering Hale..
Cox will surely lose ruck time to NN. Given West Coast probably won't make the 8 this year, i would reckon NN would be rucking more than Cox by the end of the year, and even in the early goings, somewhere around 50/50. Anyone considering Mitch Clark? Or will Leuenberger(sp) play as the first ruck again this year?