Ben McEvoy was a popular pick in fantasy this year and is still capable of delivering solid scores, as in the game last week. His role has changed at times this year from forward to ruck and a combination of both depending on who is is working with; currently he is lead ruck with Jonathan Ceglar more of a ruck/forward. If he's still in your fantasy side you were probably planning to offload him at this point but have been dealing with spotfires elsewhere in your best 22. Today might not be as lucrative for the Big Boy.
Ben McEvoy was a popular pick in fantasy this year and is still capable of delivering solid scores, as in the game last week. His role has changed at times this year from forward to ruck and a combination of both depending on who is is working with; currently he is lead ruck with Jonathan Ceglar more of a ruck/forward. If he's still in your fantasy side you were probably planning to offload him at this point but have been dealing with spotfires elsewhere in your best 22. Today might not be as lucrative for the Big Boy.
Ben McEvoy does not have a particularly high scoring ceiling for fantasy, we know that after all these years. He came into 2021 slightly underpriced due to spending the latter part of the previous season in defence covering injuries, so some fantasy coaches selected him as a stepping stone hoping that he would revert to his old role of Ruck and occasional forward stints. An injury to Jonathan Ceglar early in the season has cemented this role, and Big Boy has delivered with some solid if unspectacular cash accumulation. The time for upgrading will come soon.
Big Boy back to back?
A dominant aerialist, ruckman Ben McEvoy finished his season in a key defensive post trying to use his height to mark on the intercept. The former Saint has been statistically consistent for the past three seasons, his best outing in 2019 coming against the Geelong Cats and Rhys Stanley, amassing 16 touches, 37 hit outs and two majors. His disposal tallies in those two late back line roles were 13 and 6. Passing the 30-year threshold, McEvoy was likely to decline in output over the next few seasons even without the left field move to defence. Perhaps the recruitment of Sam Frost will mean the dual premiership Hawk is unlikely to see further time in defence... though he was training with the backs in preseason. He is a late pick if playing in ruck, and not pickable at all if he settles in defence given the high ruck baseline.
Big Boy shares toys
An ACL injury that prematurely ended Jonathon Ceglar’s 2017 campaign had distinct ramifications for Ben McEvoy, as he produced a career best in hit outs per game and enjoyed an increase in numerous statistical categories. During the 2018 campaign, Ceglar returned and the two played five matches together. For those considering the former Saint, on average these matches resulted in lower disposal and hit out totals. It remains to be seen whether this is a trend or a statistical anomaly, although it would be wise to tread carefully. The former first round draft pick has been a consistent and strong fantasy force over the past two campaigns, and in his peak years McEvoy is expected to maintain performance for some time yet. Selection after the first ten rounds will present as value.
Big Boy's biggest yet
Producing career best figures in his tenth season, Ben McEvoy took the reins as the sole ruckman for the first time since stepping foot at the club. With greater responsibility, the former Saint displayed significant improvements in hit outs, disposals and tackles, including five consecutive fantasy tons before the bye and another in round 23. With a historical rate of less than a goal per game, it remains to be seen whether Clarkson will play McEvoy in a supporting ruck/forward role or continue on where he left off in 2017 as the lead. Given that question mark over his role, it may be worth selecting more secure rucks with a late pick.
