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Champion Data makes call on All-Australian ruck spot
SEN • August 8th, 2025 7:00 pm
The race for the All-Australian ruck position has maybe never been hotter than it has been in 2025.
While two rucks have made the side in previous seasons, such as 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2012, those have been seasons where a pair of rucks have stood above the rest.
In 2025, there are no less than five rucks who have genuine claims for a blazer - so who deserves it most?
Tristan Xerri was probably the early pick, while Brodie Grundy has come with a bullet late. Max Gawn has done enough to pick up an eighth blazer, Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron has been thereabouts, and Fremantle’s Luke Jackson has starred wherever he’s played.
Looking at the candidates, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne couldn’t understand why so many now think it’s simply Gawn v Grundy, with North’s Xerri the forgotten man.
“Someone goes out for a couple of weeks, and you forget that this individual actually exists,” Hoyne said on SEN Sportsday.
“The All-Australian ruck conversation is going to be a fascinating one.
“Tristan Xerri, what's he done wrong? He didn't play for a few weeks, and now it’s, ‘Down to Gawn or Grundy’ - really?
“He’s been one of the top three rated players on the ground nine times this year. Grundy has done it eight times and Gawn has done it seven times.
“He (Xerri) is a top-four clearance player in the comp and a top-six contested possession player in the comp.
“This year about North Melbourne, it is Xerri or bust.”
Given so many rucks have starred this season, Hoyne expects two to make the side, although he’s certain that one of those spots must be given to Jackson due to his overall versatility.
With the other spot remaining, he picked Xerri first ahead of Grundy, with Gawn his third in line.
“Luke Jackson is the game's fourth best player this season, I reckon Luke Jackson is the Mark Blicavs All-Australian selection of 2022, put him on the bench because he’s the utility,” Hoyne said.
“Then I think it's down to either Xerri or Grundy, I don't think Max is in it.
“I get that Max has had a good year, but it's nowhere near at the levels that he has been. He's the 65th rated player in the comp this year, he hasn't done it as often as what he has previously done it in his other All-Australian seasons.
“And when it’s down to Xerri or Grundy, I’m with Xerri.”
