THE FIRST domino from the AFL's suite of new rules is set to fall.

As AFL.com.au suggested in mid-October might happen, many of the 18 clubs are set to experiment with two genuine ruckmen in their side during the JLT Community Series.

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The combination of big men now being able to grab the ball out of any ruck contest with the benefit of prior opportunity, plus the new starting positions at centre bounces is proving a game-changer.

There is a fear the undersized Shaun Grigg-types who were so adept in spelling first-choice ruckmen, at least in short bursts, will be exposed under the revamped conditions.

Reigning premier West Coast's success with a two-headed ruck monster, whether it was Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett, or later Lycett and Nathan Vardy, didn't hurt either.

Lycett is preparing to partner Paddy Ryder in Port Adelaide's ruck department in 2019 after defecting from the Eagles.

Former Eagle Scott Lycett will team up with Paddy Ryder after crossing to the Power. Picture: AFL Photos



It is match simulation season, and several teams – evidenced most recently at Waverley Park on Friday – are using a ruckman as the forward who must be in the attacking goalsquare before each bounce.

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The Hawks have flirted with the Ben McEvoy-Jon Ceglar pairing in the past, although they went away from that strategy down the stretch last year.

Fifth-year ruckman Marc Pittonet might even be primed to break up that duopoly, judging by his impressive performance on Friday.

Melbourne, considered one of the competition's most innovative sides, is also figuring out how to find a spot for ex-Kangaroo Braydon Preuss alongside dual All Australian Max Gawn.

The challenge in the aerobic-obsessed modern game is a second big man could mean sacrificing a midfielder, unless coaches are confident that player can capably replace a marking forward.

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That's why Fremantle is more likely to turn to Rory Lobb than Sean Darcy as a second ruckman to Aaron Sandilands, and Essendon may prefer Shaun McKernan over Zac Clarke or Sam Draper alongside Tom Bellchambers.

Josh Jenkins (Adelaide), Mason Cox (Collingwood), Peter Wright (Gold Coast), Callum Sinclair (Sydney) and Tom Boyd (Western Bulldogs) can also command a position as a forward who can ruck.

Who could the clubs pair?

Adelaide: Sam Jacobs, Josh Jenkins

Brisbane: Stefan Martin, Oscar McInerney

Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Phillips

Collingwood: Brodie Grundy, Mason Cox

Essendon: Tom Bellchambers, Shaun McKernan

Fremantle: Aaron Sandilands, Rory Lobb

Geelong: Rhys Stanley, Darcy Fort

Gold Coast: Jarrod Witts, Peter Wright

GWS Giants: Shane Mumford, Dawson Simpson

Hawthorn: Ben McEvoy, Jon Ceglar

Melbourne: Max Gawn, Braydon Preuss

North Melbourne: Todd Goldstein, Tom Campbell

Port Adelaide: Paddy Ryder, Scott Lycett

Richmond: Toby Nankervis, Ivan Soldo

St Kilda: Billy Longer, Rowan Marshall

Sydney: Sam Naismith, Callum Sinclair

West Coast: Nathan Vardy, Tom Hickey*

Western Bulldogs: Tim English, Tom Boyd

* While Nic Naitanui (knee) is out