WEST COAST will be without the best ruckman in the competition for the majority of the 2017 season, with Nic Naitanui rated by Champion Data as the league’s best big man.

Naitanui, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Round 22 last year, edged out both Todd Goldstein and Max Gawn to be ranked by Champion Data as the competition’s best ruckman, according to its Official AFL Player Ratings.

The 201cm Naitanui will subsequently miss a large portion of the 2017 campaign as a result of his injury, with the latest set of ratings further emphasising his importance to the Eagles.

Naitanui averaged 12.5 disposals and 34.5 hit-outs per game last season, ranking fourth in the competition for hit-outs per game.

Round 18

Only Goldstein (second in Champion Data’s rankings), Gawn (third) and Shane Mumford (fifth) averaged more hit-outs than Naitanui throughout the 2016 season.

Gawn is the big improver in Champion Data’s rankings, rising from eighth to third from last year following a career-best season that saw him earn All-Australian honours.

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Max Gawn is the bolter in the top 10. Source: Getty Images

Goldstein drops from the top position having lost his place as the All-Australian ruckman, with his disposal and hit-out numbers dropping from the year prior.

Aaron Sandilands and Mumford round out the top five, with Sydney’s Kurt Tippett and Gold Coast’s Tom Nicholls rocketing into the top 10. They do so at the expense of Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy and Brisbane’s Stefan Martin, who both fall out of the rankings.

Sam Jacobs and Ivan Maric retain their places in the top 10, as does Patrick Ryder despite serving a 12-month suspension.

The rankings are Champion Data’s measure of player quality for the 2017 AFL Prospectus, based on the Official AFL Player Ratings.

They are recognised as the best indication of a player’s performance, emphasising the quality of games played over the quantity.

CHAMPION DATA’S TOP 10 RUCKS

1. Nic Naitanui (West Coast)

Such an influential player at his best, he’ll miss a lot of next season with injury.

2. Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)

Dropped away a bit in 2016, but remains one of the best in the competition.

3. Max Gawn (Melbourne)

All-Australian after a career-best season where he averaged 14.4 disposals and 42.2 hit-outs.

4. Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)

The 211cm big man played only five games last year due to a big knock to his ribs.

5. Shane Mumford (GWS Giants)

The most imposing ruckman in the game, he continues to influence matches at will.

6. Sam Jacobs (Adelaide)

Had a relatively down year by his standards in 2016, but remains one of the league’s best.

7. Kurt Tippett (Sydney)

Had a strong start to the year before injury derailed his campaign. Can also go forward.

8. Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide)

Missed the 2016 season due to suspension, but is still a versatile tall prospect.

9. Ivan Maric (Richmond)

Played only three games last season and struggled, but remains in the top 10.

10. Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast)

The youngster stepped into the top ruck role at the Suns last season and flourished.