Facts
2014 Price: Supercoach $464,400 AFL Fantasy $439,300
2014 Position: Ruck
2013 average: 85.8 (19 games)
2012 average: 70.7 SC (9 games)
2011 average: 75.4 SC (10 games)
Ruckmen are an important aspect in Supercoach, with good points on offer. A failure to pick the right ruckmen (enter Sam Jacobs last year) could cost your side immensely. Dean Cox, Todd Goldstein & Will Minson are all premium guns in the ruck stocks, but today I will be looking at a up and comer Matthew Lobbe.
2014 Position: Ruck
2013 average: 85.8 (19 games)
2012 average: 70.7 SC (9 games)
2011 average: 75.4 SC (10 games)
Ruckmen are an important aspect in Supercoach, with good points on offer. A failure to pick the right ruckmen (enter Sam Jacobs last year) could cost your side immensely. Dean Cox, Todd Goldstein & Will Minson are all premium guns in the ruck stocks, but today I will be looking at a up and comer Matthew Lobbe.
Matthew Lobbe has been highly rated by several insiders at Port Adelaide (#16 2007) and they have had to be extremely patient, waiting for a young guy to finally showcase his ability.
Lobbe has been in the system for 6 years now and has been able to learn from some outstanding ruckman at Port Adelaide (Dean Brogan, Brendon Lade, Matthew Primus). Now Lobbe struggled early in season 2013 and things were starting to look grim for the 24 year old, as he failed to match it with the competitions best.
As a Supercoach player he was quite irrelevant, failing to go over 100 between rounds 1-12 (averaging 69). It was post the bye rounds when Lobbe began to shine and make a name for himself.
He began to match some of the competitions best ruckman and used his vertical leaping ability to his advantage, dominating in the hit outs. It wasn’t only in the air that Lobbe was shining; it was his agility and tackling ability, which was quite simply amazing for a big man. Post the powers bye, Lobbe finished the year like a steam train and went on to average 105 in is last 6 games, catching the eye of many. Has had solid pre-season and played the one NAB Cup game against the bombers. Only played 51% game time, managing 5 disposals & 18 hitouts.
Lobbe has been in the system for 6 years now and has been able to learn from some outstanding ruckman at Port Adelaide (Dean Brogan, Brendon Lade, Matthew Primus). Now Lobbe struggled early in season 2013 and things were starting to look grim for the 24 year old, as he failed to match it with the competitions best.
As a Supercoach player he was quite irrelevant, failing to go over 100 between rounds 1-12 (averaging 69). It was post the bye rounds when Lobbe began to shine and make a name for himself.
He began to match some of the competitions best ruckman and used his vertical leaping ability to his advantage, dominating in the hit outs. It wasn’t only in the air that Lobbe was shining; it was his agility and tackling ability, which was quite simply amazing for a big man. Post the powers bye, Lobbe finished the year like a steam train and went on to average 105 in is last 6 games, catching the eye of many. Has had solid pre-season and played the one NAB Cup game against the bombers. Only played 51% game time, managing 5 disposals & 18 hitouts.
Final Word
At $464,400 Lobbe comes with a hefty price tag next to his name, but if he could continue his form from late last season, his price will surely increase. Will be selected in less than 5% of teams to start to year, making him a genuine POD player that could be key to you league-overall success. A major upside in my eyes is that he scored 5 SC tons against the competitions beasts (Collingwood, Sydney, Fremantle, Geelong) proving that he can match it was the best. At 24 years of age Lobbe will continue to improve and should lift that overall average to around the 100 mark. He’s ball-winning ability is a huge bonus.
Verdict
2014 Predicted Status: Premium
Predicted Average 2014: 95-105
Selection Status: It all depends on you ruck structure, but Lobbe should be strongly considered. Tossing up between him & Mumford.
Predicted Average 2014: 95-105
Selection Status: It all depends on you ruck structure, but Lobbe should be strongly considered. Tossing up between him & Mumford.