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Rhys Stanley
Sitting out Community Series
Stanley (soreness) will not play in Saturday's Community Series clash with the Tigers, Tom Collings of the Cats' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Stanley was expected to be a late decision for the contest after suffering a heavy knock in a practice match last week. Even though he won't play Saturday, it sounds as though there is little concern about his status for the start of the regular season.
Stanley was expected to be a late decision for the contest after suffering a heavy knock in a practice match last week. Even though he won't play Saturday, it sounds as though there is little concern about his status for the start of the regular season.
Sam Naismith
Not ready to return
Naismith (torn ACL) is increasing his workload but needs more time before he returns to a competitive match, according to Michael Whiting of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
It's not exactly clear when Naismith will be back but at least his progression has stayed on schedule. He only made two appearances in 2020 and will hope to stay fit for longer upon his return.
It's not exactly clear when Naismith will be back but at least his progression has stayed on schedule. He only made two appearances in 2020 and will hope to stay fit for longer upon his return.
Sean Darcy
Hoping to be ready for Round 1
Darcy suffered a knee injury but hopes to be available for Round 1 versus Melbourne, the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Darcy figures to handle primary duties in the ruck for Fremantle again this season when healthy, but it sounds as though his status for the opener is still up in the air. More information on his status should surface come the week of the opener.
Darcy figures to handle primary duties in the ruck for Fremantle again this season when healthy, but it sounds as though his status for the opener is still up in the air. More information on his status should surface come the week of the opener.
Braydon Preuss
Out up to five months
Preuss could be out for up to five months due to a shoulder injury, according to Michael Whiting of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Preuss could return earlier in the summer but the pickup from Melbourne in the offseason won't be around for the first few months of the campaign. He only played three times last season and will need to get a few under his belt when healthy to prove his usefulness for fantasy.
Preuss could return earlier in the summer but the pickup from Melbourne in the offseason won't be around for the first few months of the campaign. He only played three times last season and will need to get a few under his belt when healthy to prove his usefulness for fantasy.
Rhys Stanley
Late call for Essendon tilt
Stanley will be a late decision for Saturday's Community Series match against Essendon after taking a heavy knock in a practice match last week, according to Mitch Cleary of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
There isn't anything to suggest that Stanley won't be ready for the Essendon match but there's also no guarantee that he'll play or not be limited in his minutes. He was able to put up decent numbers in 2020 with 212 hitouts and 10 goals in 11 games and should be ready for Round 1 against Adelaide if nothing else comes up.
There isn't anything to suggest that Stanley won't be ready for the Essendon match but there's also no guarantee that he'll play or not be limited in his minutes. He was able to put up decent numbers in 2020 with 212 hitouts and 10 goals in 11 games and should be ready for Round 1 against Adelaide if nothing else comes up.
Darcy Fort
Out with knee injury
Fort remains unavailable for Saturday's match against Essendon with a knee injury, according to Mitch Cleary of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Fort doesn't even look likely to be ready for Round 1 but there hasn't been news much to suggest when he could return at all. He only made five appearances last season but still collected 106 hitouts.
Fort doesn't even look likely to be ready for Round 1 but there hasn't been news much to suggest when he could return at all. He only made five appearances last season but still collected 106 hitouts.
Callum Coleman-Jones
Will play Friday despite suspension
Coleman-Jones is suspended for the first four games of the 2021 regular season but will play in Friday's Community Series game versus Collingwood, the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Coleman-Jones will get a chance to see some action Friday with the looming four-game suspension set to get him behind others on knocking off some of the rust early in the campaign. He should be available during the regular season come Round 5.
Coleman-Jones will get a chance to see some action Friday with the looming four-game suspension set to get him behind others on knocking off some of the rust early in the campaign. He should be available during the regular season come Round 5.
Bailey J. Williams
Rolls ankle in practice
Williams rolled his ankle in practice just after recovering from a quad injury and will need a couple of weeks to recover, according to GM Craig Vozzo. "(Williams) is going to be at least a couple of weeks from here because of the swelling and ligament damage as a result, but confident he's back on track but we need to take a conservative approach."
ANALYSIS
Williams may not be fully ready for round one against Gold Coast and he's certainly out for Sunday's practice match against Freemantle. He only played three times last season and most rucks play second-fiddle to Nic Naitanui no matter the opponent.
Williams may not be fully ready for round one against Gold Coast and he's certainly out for Sunday's practice match against Freemantle. He only played three times last season and most rucks play second-fiddle to Nic Naitanui no matter the opponent.
Zac Smith
Out three months
Smith will miss "up to 12 weeks" after injuring his PCL during Saturday's practice match against Brisbane.
ANALYSIS
There's a chance that Smith could return in fewer than three months, but for now that's a safe estimate for when he could return. This leaves the Suns heavily reliant on Jarrod Witts heading into the new season and Smith will hope to return in late-spring after not playing a single time in 2020.
There's a chance that Smith could return in fewer than three months, but for now that's a safe estimate for when he could return. This leaves the Suns heavily reliant on Jarrod Witts heading into the new season and Smith will hope to return in late-spring after not playing a single time in 2020.
Rowan Marshall
Sidelined through Round 2
Marshall will miss through at least Round 2 as he works his way back from a foot injury, the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Coach Brett Ratten believes Marshall will be back in the mix soon after Round 2, so it sounds as though the team's No. 1 ruckman may not be sidelined too long by the issue. Even so, the team is losing out on his 14.0 disposals, 4.4 marks, 2.2 tackles and 14.6 hitouts per contest from the 2020 season in the meantime.
Coach Brett Ratten believes Marshall will be back in the mix soon after Round 2, so it sounds as though the team's No. 1 ruckman may not be sidelined too long by the issue. Even so, the team is losing out on his 14.0 disposals, 4.4 marks, 2.2 tackles and 14.6 hitouts per contest from the 2020 season in the meantime.
Toby Nankervis
Huge in win
Nankervis made 10 tackles and completed 19 hitouts to go with 13 disposals (10 kicks, three handballs) during Friday's 46-40 win over Port Adelaide.
ANALYSIS
Nankervis had his biggest match of the season in a crucial moment to help his club advance to the Grand Final. With a season high in tackles, Nankervis was able to make up the difference from his inconsistent numbers elsewhere on the pitch. After a performance like this, he could be one to watch in the final contest of the season.
Nankervis had his biggest match of the season in a crucial moment to help his club advance to the Grand Final. With a season high in tackles, Nankervis was able to make up the difference from his inconsistent numbers elsewhere on the pitch. After a performance like this, he could be one to watch in the final contest of the season.
Nic Naitanui
Dominates in heartbreaking loss
Naitanui tallied 17 disposals (11 kicks, six handballs), three tackles, two marks and one behind in Saturday's 76-75 loss to Collingwood.
ANALYSIS
Naitanui confirmed his status as the best ruckman in the league with another dominant performance Saturday. He finished with 24 hitouts to go with seven clearances and six score involvements. After a few seasons littered with injury, this has been a statement season for the big man, capped off by his selection to the All-Australian team.
Naitanui confirmed his status as the best ruckman in the league with another dominant performance Saturday. He finished with 24 hitouts to go with seven clearances and six score involvements. After a few seasons littered with injury, this has been a statement season for the big man, capped off by his selection to the All-Australian team.
Rhys Stanley
Cleared to play
Stanley (groin) has been given the green light to play in Thursday's qualifying final versus Port Adelaide, Mitch Cleary of AFL Media (via the Cats' official site) reports.
ANALYSIS
Stanley had proven to be useful in the ruck for the Cats late in the season, collecting three goals, six marks and 44 hitouts over the last two contests. He should resume his duties in that role for the finals.
Stanley had proven to be useful in the ruck for the Cats late in the season, collecting three goals, six marks and 44 hitouts over the last two contests. He should resume his duties in that role for the finals.
Darcy Fort
Off injury list
Fort isn't among the players on the Cats' injury list.
ANALYSIS
Fort has been sidelined since late July due to a foot issue but looks to be right ahead of the finals. Even so, he may not be looking at inclusion in the lineup after being gone for such a long duration.
Fort has been sidelined since late July due to a foot issue but looks to be right ahead of the finals. Even so, he may not be looking at inclusion in the lineup after being gone for such a long duration.
Sean Darcy
Strong finish as Dockers bow out
Darcy ended with 15 disposals (four kicks, 11 handballs), two marks, one tackle, one goal and one behind in Sunday's 74-44 loss to the Western Bulldogs.
ANALYSIS
Darcy capped off a strong season with another impressive display in the ruck. He ends the season as the seventh ranked player in terms of total hitouts and hitouts per game. Having established himself as the primary center man for the Dockers, Darcy will look to build on his production next season and certainly looks to be a long-term option in the middle.
Darcy capped off a strong season with another impressive display in the ruck. He ends the season as the seventh ranked player in terms of total hitouts and hitouts per game. Having established himself as the primary center man for the Dockers, Darcy will look to build on his production next season and certainly looks to be a long-term option in the middle.
Brodie Grundy
Finishes season as top ruck
Grundy collected 18 disposals (five kicks, 13 handballs) and completed 36 hitouts during Monday's 61-45 loss to Port Adelaide.
ANALYSIS
Grundy finishes the season as the league leader in hitouts to complete both a productive and reliable campaign for the Magpies. Even if his team makes a few mistakes, Grundy should have no problems continuing to play well in the elimination final against West Coast Eagles.
Grundy finishes the season as the league leader in hitouts to complete both a productive and reliable campaign for the Magpies. Even if his team makes a few mistakes, Grundy should have no problems continuing to play well in the elimination final against West Coast Eagles.
Reilly O'Brien
Strong finish to season
O'Brien collected 19 disposals (eight kicks, 11 handballs) to go with seven marks made and 29 hitouts completed during Saturday's 77-33 loss to Richmond.
ANALYSIS
O'Brien won another ruck battle to finish the season but there's still little way to make up the difference against a vastly better attack. With the excellent finish to the season despite ending up in last place, O'Brien showed why he's one of the most productive ruckmen in the premiership. If the rest of the team can play as well as they did in the last month, O'Brien will be a key part of a productive group next season.
O'Brien won another ruck battle to finish the season but there's still little way to make up the difference against a vastly better attack. With the excellent finish to the season despite ending up in last place, O'Brien showed why he's one of the most productive ruckmen in the premiership. If the rest of the team can play as well as they did in the last month, O'Brien will be a key part of a productive group next season.
Stefan Martin
Back in lineup
Martin (back) will return to the lineup for the Lions' home-and-away finale Saturday versus the Blues.
ANALYSIS
Martin was deemed sidelined for up to eight weeks with a stress fracture in his back but has made it back in time to knock off some of the rust before the Lions begin their finals run. The ruckman knocks Archie Smith out of the lineup in his return.
Martin was deemed sidelined for up to eight weeks with a stress fracture in his back but has made it back in time to knock off some of the rust before the Lions begin their finals run. The ruckman knocks Archie Smith out of the lineup in his return.
Luke Jackson
Listed as emergency
Jackson (hamstring) is listed as an emergency for Saturday's clash with the Bombers, Ben Gibson of the Demons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Jackson appears to be over the hamstring issue that cost him time, but the team has elected not to include him in the crucial match given his extended layoff and the potential rust he faces.
Jackson appears to be over the hamstring issue that cost him time, but the team has elected not to include him in the crucial match given his extended layoff and the potential rust he faces.
Rowan Marshall
Finishes season well
Marshall kicked one goal and one behind to go with 16 disposals (13 kicks, three handballs), six marks and seven hitouts from Friday's 82-30 win over Greater Western Sydney Giants.
ANALYSIS
Marshall ceded most of the hitouts to Paddy Ryder, but he didn't really need them to produce a good stat line after racking up four goals and six behinds over the last four Rounds. Production value tends to be spread around in this Saints team, which isn't always the best for fantasy but has helped to keep their season alive with a place in the finals.
Marshall ceded most of the hitouts to Paddy Ryder, but he didn't really need them to produce a good stat line after racking up four goals and six behinds over the last four Rounds. Production value tends to be spread around in this Saints team, which isn't always the best for fantasy but has helped to keep their season alive with a place in the finals.
Tristan Xerri
Leaves hub to undergo shoulder surgery
Xerri (shoulder) has left the Queensland hub to undergo shoulder reconstruction.
ANALYSIS
With just one contest remaining in the Kangaroos' season, it appears Xerri will call it an end a bit early to get his shoulder complaint taken care of. He recently inked a new two-year deal with North Melbourne that will keep him with the club through 2022.
With just one contest remaining in the Kangaroos' season, it appears Xerri will call it an end a bit early to get his shoulder complaint taken care of. He recently inked a new two-year deal with North Melbourne that will keep him with the club through 2022.
Ivan Soldo
Headed for extended absence
Soldo suffered a ruptured ACL and MCL in Friday's match versus Geelong and will be sidelined for an extended period of time.
ANALYSIS
It's an unfortunate early end for the big ruckman, who needed help leaving the field late in the first half of last Friday's match. Given the extent of his injury, there seems a decent chance he will miss a portion of the 2021 campaign as well.
It's an unfortunate early end for the big ruckman, who needed help leaving the field late in the first half of last Friday's match. Given the extent of his injury, there seems a decent chance he will miss a portion of the 2021 campaign as well.
Tom Bellchambers
Elects to retire
Bellchambers (knee) indicated Tuesday that he will retire from the AFL.
ANALYSIS
Bellchambers has dealt with persistent knee issues during the 2020 campaign, taking the field in only seven matches for the Bombers. That likely played a role in his decision to call it quits after 13 seasons and 136 matches.
Bellchambers has dealt with persistent knee issues during the 2020 campaign, taking the field in only seven matches for the Bombers. That likely played a role in his decision to call it quits after 13 seasons and 136 matches.
Timothy English
Boots first career bag in victory
English ended with eight disposals (five kicks, three handballs), five tackles, four marks and two goals in Sunday's 76-40 victory over Hawthorn.
ANALYSIS
English booted two goals in Sunday's victory as the Bulldogs moved inside the top-8 with only one game remaining. English is arguably the best young ruckman in the league right now, although consistency remains an issue. The ups-and-downs mean he is not going to be for everyone when it comes to fantasy but the future is bright and he figures to be an elite option for many seasons to come.
English booted two goals in Sunday's victory as the Bulldogs moved inside the top-8 with only one game remaining. English is arguably the best young ruckman in the league right now, although consistency remains an issue. The ups-and-downs mean he is not going to be for everyone when it comes to fantasy but the future is bright and he figures to be an elite option for many seasons to come.
Max Gawn
Dominant performance Saturday
Gawn ended with 15 disposals (11 kicks, four handballs), four tackles and one mark in Saturday's 79-74 victory over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Gawn dominated the ruck as the Demons kept their finals chances alive with a stirring five-point victory. The win not only moves them temporarily into the top-8 but it also leaves the Giants on the outside looking in when it comes to postseason footy. Gawn collected 44 hitouts to go with a game-high eight clearances, confirming his status as arguably the best ruckman in the game today.
Gawn dominated the ruck as the Demons kept their finals chances alive with a stirring five-point victory. The win not only moves them temporarily into the top-8 but it also leaves the Giants on the outside looking in when it comes to postseason footy. Gawn collected 44 hitouts to go with a game-high eight clearances, confirming his status as arguably the best ruckman in the game today.