Jonathon Ceglar plays his 100th senior game today, but his role in the best 22 going into the Hawthorn rebuild is not assured. Ben McEvoy is still hanging around and is producing at decent levels if not quite at his career peak, with the capability to not only play ruck but also be dangerous forward and drop behind the ball if needed. Ned Reeves has also been blooded at times, a more pure tap ruckman without a lot of forward craft. Ceglar is in danger of being versatile without being the best at his club for any one particular thing, which would make his fantasy dynasty league owners nervous.
Jonathon Ceglar plays his 100th senior game today, but his role in the best 22 going into the Hawthorn rebuild is not assured. Ben McEvoy is still hanging around and is producing at decent levels if not quite at his career peak, with the capability to not only play ruck but also be dangerous forward and drop behind the ball if needed. Ned Reeves has also been blooded at times, a more pure tap ruckman without a lot of forward craft. Ceglar is in danger of being versatile without being the best at his club for any one particular thing, which would make his fantasy dynasty league owners nervous.
Jonathon Ceglar was a surprising man of the match last week for Hawthorn in their shock win over the Swans, besting Tom Hickey in ruck who had been in a hot vein of form and adding 20 disposals and a goal to his 35 hit outs. That was his first senior game since round 4, having been dropped to the VFL where he injured an ankle ligament, and was only a late in for Ned Reeves who had replaced him in tandem with Ben McEvoy. At his best he can turn in BOG performances, not with flashy skills but plain hard work between contests. He is still not premium level, clearly.
Two puffs from Ceglar
Working mostly alongside Ben McEvoy and rotating forward, Jonathon Ceglar produced a consistent season which led to a new three-year contract in November. The former Magpie enjoyed career high averages in disposals and marks, and posted two fantasy tons against the formidable ruck divisions of the Suns and Eagles to end the season after McEvoy was moved to defence in round 22. Ceglar has demonstrated his potential when fielded as a lone ruck, and this may prove a more common occurrence if McEvoy continues in his late season role as a key defender. Those two late scores are going to tantalise potential owners, as it's a very small sample size on which to base a draft decision. If you do pick him late, probably grab another starting ruck as cover.
Jonathon Ceglar was named as first ruck for Hawthorn this week in the wake of a big injury to Ben McEvoy, coming off one of his best games for the club in a forward/ruck role. He was going so well that the Hawks had dropped Jarryd Roughead to the magoos, but if he is the only genuine ruck in the 22 going forward then his numbers will change, probably for the better. However, Marc Pittonet lurks in the emergencies this week and could well appear next week if not earlier, making him a questionable asset to own for fantasy purposes.
No cigars for Ceglar
Suffering an ACL rupture during the 2017 season, Jonathon Ceglar managed ten home and away outings last campaign. Primarily positioned in attack throughout the previous campaign, the former Magpie was unable to contribute to the scoreboard with regularity, recording six majors. Provided Ben McEvoy stays healthy and inform, adding to his 60 career games as a dual forward/ruck appears unlikely. Whilst he may be an unwise selection for your fantasy side, be ready to act off the free agent pool if McEvoy misses an extended run of games or Ceglar becomes the preferred option.
Irregularity from Ceglar
Now fully recovered from an ACL rupture and enjoying a strong preseason, Jonathon Ceglar enters the 2018 campaign as back up to Ben McEvoy. In the prime of his career, expect competition for the number one ruck role. Due to Ceglar's stature and the natural consequences on his mobility, it appears unlikely that he would play in a dual forward/ruck role. Whilehe may be an unwise selection in the draft, be ready to pounce if McEvoy misses an extended run of matches.
