Jim Park Medal 2016

[crashlander]

How many teams would have a ruckman in the top 5 of their B&F?  North and Geelong last year off the top of my head.  Any others?

They may not have been B&F material, but Freo and the Weagles have lived and died with their ruckmen. When NicNat played well, West Coast won. And last year he played well for a lot of games. Similarly, when Freo challenged, Sandilands got the ball a lot. North challenged on the back of serious form from Goldstein. Adelaide prospers on the back of Sauce Jacobs. GWS prospers on the back of Mumford.
Hawthorn appear to be the exception to the rule, but that isn't quite what it seems. Their rucks don't do as much as the others, but they keep their opponents down and provide what Hawthorn wants of them. When Hawthorn are at their best, their rucks are important.