SANFL Top 5 in 2025 – Rucks

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2025 are being unveiled through the SANFL Top 10 rankings.

SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank will reveal his high performing midfielders, rucks, forwards and defenders now that the dust has settled on this year’s exciting campaign.

Form across the 2025 season was used as the chief factor in the ranking process, with selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and West End State team weighing heavily, together with placings in the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal, Club best-and-fairest awards and strong performances in finals matches.

High rankings in statistics such as total disposals, marks, contested marks, goals, clearances and tackles were also taken into account, along with Champion Data ranking points.

Find out who were the five most influential rucks in 2025.

It was undoubtedly a breakout season for Woodville-West Torrens ruckman Jordan Lukac, who earned his first West End State guernsey. 

The 23-year-old had displayed promising glimpses prior to 2025 but this was his most consistent campaign under coach Sam Jacobs, who entrusted him with the No.1 mantle.

Featuring in all 18 of the Eagles’ minor round matches, the 198cm bigman averaged 12 disposals, three clearances and two tackles while racking up a third-highest haul of 434 hit outs while placing sixth in the Club Champion Award.

There was an undeniable consistent force in the centre square, propelling Sturt to its 16th Hostplus SANFL League premiership. 

And that man was 24-year-old Amos Doyle.

Racking up the second-most hit outs across the league for the season with 492, Doyle also moved well around the ground to collect averages of 13 disposals, four clearances, four inside 50s and two tackles.

Norwood needed to fill a gaping hole at the centre bounce in 2025 following the departure of Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd. 

The Redlegs also missed out on the signature of Lachlan McAndrew, resulting in Finn Heard – who had fought his way back from a serious elbow injury suffered in the 2024 Grand Final – filling the breach in admirable fashion to place third in the Michael Taylor Medal.

Despite being under-sized for a ruckman at 195cm, the 23-year-old battled manfully for his team while averaging more than 15 disposals, four marks, four clearances and five tackles while acting as an extra midfielder once the ball hit the deck.

Playing his first full season in the Hostplus SANFL League, South Adelaide’s Olivier Northam didn’t waste time in making his presence felt. 

The 21-year-old from St Joseph’s in Victoria not only had an impact with his hitouts – racking up 399 in 18 minor round matches – but also around the ground with his mobility.

Displaying great agility with his 199cm frame, Northam averaged more than 15 disposals, six clearances and three tackles en route to being runner-up, by just one vote, in the Panthers’ Knuckey Cup count.

Measuring in at a massive 211cm, McAndrew adapted to the standard of the Hostplus SANFL League in impressive fashion to be the premier ruckman of the competition.

The 25-year-old averaged 13 disposals, four clearances and five tackles while also leading the League in hit outs with 609 from 16 games, including the major round.

Recruited from the Sydney Swans, McAndrew was selected as first ruck in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and placed runner-up in the Crows’ SANFL Club Champion Award.