Esava Ratugolea is now the first-choice centre half back for Port Adelaide, having come across from Geelong where he was on the edges of senior selection. The Power like to get Aliir Aliir free to zone off his man and intercept, so Ratugolea's role is mostly just to play back-shoulder on his man and ensure he doesn't get run off his feet or bullocked off the fall of long kicks. Today, without Aliir, he might be called upon to intercept himself a bit more, with his likely opponent Hayden McLean lacking confidence and form. He is set for a big day at home.
Esava Ratugolea is now the first-choice centre half back for Port Adelaide, having come across from Geelong where he was on the edges of senior selection. The Power like to get Aliir Aliir free to zone off his man and intercept, so Ratugolea's role is mostly just to play back-shoulder on his man and ensure he doesn't get run off his feet or bullocked off the fall of long kicks. Today, without Aliir, he might be called upon to intercept himself a bit more, with his likely opponent Hayden McLean lacking confidence and form. He is set for a big day at home.
Esava Ratugolea had some fantasy relevance last year as a possible cash cow in his last year at Geelong playing a key forward role, albeit things didn't really work out leading to an off-season transfer to Port Adelaide. The Power have been in desperate need for defensive spine players and in Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher they have a couple of players with some unknown amount of potential still to fulfill. In fantasy terms neither of those two are of interest themselves, but their presence releases Aliir Aliir to play his best game, as well as freeing up Dan Houston.
Esava Ratugolea has been given a new role as a key defender, after a number of years at Geelong never quite cementing his spot at CHF or as a second forward pinch hitting in ruck. The Cats are a bit thin in that area to start the season with some big injuries, so he will get his chance to take some decent late-2022 VFL form into the big league. With intercept marking his forte, as evidenced by the preseason practice game against the Hawks, plenty of fantasy coaches will be taking the chance that he can rack up the +3s floating across packs.
Esava Ratugolea has been brought in to the Geelong side to play third tall forward with Gary Rohan moving behind the ball to cover for the injured Tom Stewart. This is probably plan E for the Cats, as they would much rather have a bloke who has played more than 30 minutes of that role loose in defence for the season at senior level, but this is what they are left with. Ratugolea's role will be to hit the packs on the wings and support in ruck, with any scoreboard result he gets being a bonus. Who knows, this could be his night.
Well batted, Sav
Cats fans were delighted to see Esava Ratugolea fully fit following that nasty 2018 leg break. Despite a month-long hamstring issue in round 12 which forced the athletic key forward to the sidelines, his campaign showed good signs, including a few pinch-hits in the ruck. While Chris Scott saw positive progression, fantasy coaches did not with his output remaining identical to his injury-afflicted debut season. Ratugolea presents high up the ground which clears out space for Tom Hawkins closer to goal. His role is to bust the packs open to provide crumbs, with any contested grabs he takes himself as an added bonus, in a role similar to Charlie Dixon. Unfortunately, this means that Sav doesn't hit the scoreboard as much as we'd like for a key forward. Without evidence of fantasy potential, it would be unwise to waste a pick at this stage.
Savour Esava's flavour
The big key forward suffered a nasty broken ankle in round 10, which brought his debut season to a screeching halt. Before that, Esava Ratugolea showed great signs as a supportive target up forward for Tom Hawkins, pinch-hitting in the ruck and worrying opposition defenders with his size. Key forwards take time to develop, especially when forced to overcome serious injury. Ratugolea will be hopeful that he can put the scars of 2018 behind him and focus on his excellent contested marking and intimidating presence in the forward 50. This fact aside, he’s not fantasy relevant and should not be drafted.
Don't touch raw Sav
A goal per game from seven disposals was all that Esava Ratugolea could muster per game in his first year in the VFL, including a total of three hit-outs and zero possessions in his second appearance. This was a far cry from the day he kicked eight in the TAC Cup. Ratugolea is a project that is just beginning, so if he's going to be the next Nic Nat it will take much more time.
