THE VALUE of a reliable ruck in AFLW cannot be overstated, but the reality of what makes a great ruck extends far beyond taps at stoppages. With only 16 players on the field, it is becoming increasingly important for rucks to have a second string to their bow, another way to impact around the ground, and offer their side more versatility.

Becoming the fourth midfielder

A number of players have shown dominance at ground level after leaping for the hitout and, in recent seasons, three rucks in particular have paved the way in this regard.

Strong in the hitouts, 2021 All-Australian Breann Moody is averaging 2.4 clearances and four ground ball gets so far this season, while also offering a bigger, stronger body around the contest and surprising speed over short distances. Key for Carlton is Moody’s ability to both intercept the ball and help to transition into attack, averaging 1.4 intercept marks and 1.7 inside 50s per match this season.

Over in the west, Parris Laurie is playing a similar role at ground level for the Eagles. Standing at 178cm, Laurie is regularly giving up height in the taps but once the ball hits the ground she shines. Laurie averages 2.1 clearances and 3.6 ground ball gets across her career and is taking a career-high 2.7 marks each week in 2022.

For Melbourne, 2019 All-Australian Lauren Pearce is arguably the prime example of a ruck becoming the fourth midfielder. In AFLW history, Pearce is the only player to ever register 20-plus hitouts and 20-plus disposals in a game, and she had achieved the feat twice. Averaging the fourth-most hitouts in the competition, Pearce has won more disposals than any other player to register 75-plus hitouts this year and averages five clearances a game, leading Melbourne and winning more clearances than both Tyla Hanks and Karen Paxman combined. This year, Pearce has won the second-most in the competition to date, right on the heels of both Monique Conti and Kiara Bowers.

Also emerging in this role is Brisbane’s Tahlia Hickie who has been developing since making her debut in Brisbane’s 2020 semi-final loss. Hickie is athletic and has topped her season averages of disposals, hitouts and clearances each year since that debut.

Supporting the defence

Having the height of a ruck who can intelligently drop back behind the ball and support the defence has been a game-changer for several sides over the past two years, but none more so than Richmond.

Last year the Tigers made the choice to use Gabby Seymour as their No.1 ruck, taking her from the backline but not losing her defensive sensibilities. This year the side has added Poppy Kelly into the middle, but due to a knee injury Seymour has still spent much of the season in the ruck.

Seymour has developed into a strong intercept marker and, as her average disposals have increased year on year, most of those touches have come in the back half of the ground.

Making her mark as an emerging defensive ruck this year is Adelaide’s Montana McKinnon. Her 2.7 marks each game and positioning down the line this year has been important to the Crows’ territory control.

Into attack

Traditionally in Aussie Rules, rucks have rested forward, and while the AFLW is no different, 'rest' is underselling the impact these players can have.

Emma King really set the bar for those playing the ruck/forward role in 2019, dominating the hitouts then going forward and kicking regular goals. While King is yet to hit the scoreboard this year, her presence in the air provides opportunities for North Melbourne’s smaller forwards roving the ball at her feet.

King is averaging 8.7 centre bounce attendances each game in 2022, and 2.2 inside 50s off the back of that positioning in the middle of the ground.

Caitlin Gould has been playing this position for Adelaide, in tandem with the more defensive game of the aforementioned Montana McKinnon, while Celine Moody has begun to emerge in this role for the Western Bulldogs.

The exception

Lauren Bella is the exception to this rule in the AFLW, focusing heavily on hitouts - and particularly hitouts to advantage - her dominance at the tap has seen the Suns lead the competition for clearances across the first six rounds. Bella averages 20.1 hitouts across her career, 5.8 of which are to advantage each week. On top of this, she is winning an average of 1.6 clearances from 6.6 touches this year, both career-high numbers for the young ruck.