Dean Cox v Nic Naitanui
Undoubtedly the best ruck combination in the AFL at the moment, and there were games where these two won games by themselves.
The consistent Cox played every match and averaged an elite 112 points per match. Naitanui missed two matches but his average was slightly higher than his partner-in-crime’s, 114 points per game.
It begs the question though, especially because they’ll both be premium priced next year, who do you choose?
Undoubtedly the best ruck combination in the AFL at the moment, and there were games where these two won games by themselves.
The consistent Cox played every match and averaged an elite 112 points per match. Naitanui missed two matches but his average was slightly higher than his partner-in-crime’s, 114 points per game.
It begs the question though, especially because they’ll both be premium priced next year, who do you choose?
We say:
Dean Cox is a 31 year-old ruckman and one of the best we’ve seen for years. SuperCoach is his game too – he has dominated the arena for years on end. In fact, he has averaged more than 98 points per match every season bar one since 2005. In other words, you can bank on him to score consistently well. He’s an extremely fit individual and has not been hampered by injuries for more than three years. Part of his success has been due to his ability to drift up forward and have a real impact, and he’s kicked no less than 148 goals over his career. The 28 he kicked in 2012 was his best in a season ever, which may indicate he’s beginning to spend more time in the forward 50. It certainly had no effect on his SuperCoach scoring though, scoring over 130 on seven occasions with a top of an incredible 215.
Dean Cox is a 31 year-old ruckman and one of the best we’ve seen for years. SuperCoach is his game too – he has dominated the arena for years on end. In fact, he has averaged more than 98 points per match every season bar one since 2005. In other words, you can bank on him to score consistently well. He’s an extremely fit individual and has not been hampered by injuries for more than three years. Part of his success has been due to his ability to drift up forward and have a real impact, and he’s kicked no less than 148 goals over his career. The 28 he kicked in 2012 was his best in a season ever, which may indicate he’s beginning to spend more time in the forward 50. It certainly had no effect on his SuperCoach scoring though, scoring over 130 on seven occasions with a top of an incredible 215.
Naitanui's averages
It’s hard to believe that the one-man highlights reel Nic Naitanui has only played four season of AFL football. And not even four full seasons. Yet his SuperCoach average is well up over the magical one hundred point mark. Looking at Naitanui’s seasonal averages presents an interesting but expected trend:
If he continues to grow at this rate, he’s a no-brainer isn’t he? He’s only played one full season, so his fitness will need some work, but that’s what pre-season is for. He's had to have off-season groin surgery which isn't ideal, but will start running again in Janurary. An interesting factor will be to see how the new ruck-rules affect his play, and for someone as athletic as Naitanui should flourish. Don’t be surprised to see him become the benchmark for the AFL as contact at contests becomes prohibited. As mentioned, it was Nic’s best SuperCoach year, scoring over 150 four times including a best of 185 against Carlton.
The bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either of them, and at the end of the day Cox will probably even be a little bit cheaper.
You say:
If he continues to grow at this rate, he’s a no-brainer isn’t he? He’s only played one full season, so his fitness will need some work, but that’s what pre-season is for. He's had to have off-season groin surgery which isn't ideal, but will start running again in Janurary. An interesting factor will be to see how the new ruck-rules affect his play, and for someone as athletic as Naitanui should flourish. Don’t be surprised to see him become the benchmark for the AFL as contact at contests becomes prohibited. As mentioned, it was Nic’s best SuperCoach year, scoring over 150 four times including a best of 185 against Carlton.
The bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either of them, and at the end of the day Cox will probably even be a little bit cheaper.
You say:
Has your view been counted? Have a say in the comments below.