Big men in high demand for SANFL sides after rucks taken in AFL drafts
Four SANFL clubs will enter next season without their first-choice big man from this year following a pillaging of the league’s ruck stocks at the AFL drafts. What is your club’s biggest recruiting need?
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Four SANFL clubs will enter next season without their first-choice big man from this year following a pillaging of the league’s ruck stocks at the AFL drafts.
With South Adelaide, Central District, North Adelaide and Sturt all looking for replacement ruckmen, Messenger Community News has identified each SANFL side’s biggest recruiting needs this off-season.
Keegan Brooksby (West Coast), Darcy Fort (Geelong) and Jordon Sweet (North Adelaide) were all lost in the drafts, while Sturt ruckman Jack Osborn announced his retirement at the end of last season.
Reinforcements are on the way, as signings begin to ramp up following the completion of the AFL’s annual raid on junior talent and state league stars.
Here is what your club needs for season 2019:
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Key need: Ruckman
Other needs: Midfield, key-position tall
“Obviously the ruck is a big focus for us now after losing Darcy Fort. A player of his calibre is alway hard to replace. We’re also looking to bring two to three midfielders in, some inside midfield help as well as some pace. If there was a key position player on the market, we would also look into that.”
- Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant
GLENELG
Key need: Ruckman
Other needs: Midfield depth
“We’re probably pretty comfortable with what we have at the moment. We’ve had Liam McBean and Brad Agnew come in after a year off and brought in Luke Partingon – he brings a bit more run and ball use through the midfield. If we were to have one position at need it would be the ruck. But Jesse White played his best footy through there in the second half of the season, so he probably goes in as our No.1 ruck next season.”
- Tigers football manager Paul Sandercock
NORTH ADELAIDE
Key need: Inside midfielder
Other needs: Developing ruckman, forward
“The program got recognised for a successful season and we had five guys go in the draft, so that creates some needs. We’re looking to add a quality midfielder, a bigger inside type if we had to choose, but any top-end talent. With Robbie Young going, a running forward is also a need. After that a developing ruckman to replace Jordon Sweet would be good if we can, but not as important.”
- Roosters football manager Darryl Wintle
NORWOOD
Key need: Midfield run
Other needs: Depth
“A big key for us is bringing in some more outside run and goalkicking from the midfield, one to two players who can be damaging on the outside. We’ve addressed our ruck and have got about 13 under-18s coming through, training with the seniors, so that will help with depth. We’re also looking at some guys from other leagues or the amateurs to help with depth. Last year we had Will Abbott who came on really well. They won’t all turn out like him but we’re hoping they can contribute.”
- Redlegs football manager Mark Ross
SOUTH ADELAIDE
Key need: Ruckman
Other needs: Outside midfielder, small forward
“Keegan (Brooksby) moving on definitely leaves us with a definite need for an extra tall but ruckmen are hard to find at the moment. Quite a few clubs are in need of one, so the market is tough. A running mid is another thing we’re keen on – a couple of good ball users in the front half would be ideal. A small forward is another area we’re looking into.”
- Panthers football manager Warren Ploenges
STURT
Key need: Outside speed
Other needs: Forward/ruck
“A forward/ruck type and a bit of outside speed were two areas we were targeting and we’ve been able to bring in a 200cm tall (Footscray VFL) Josh Patullo, who we think can pinch-hit in the ruck and Danyle Pearce, who will bring some pace and class. Hugo Munn is another one we really wanted to get drafted and weren’t expecting to have. We’re hoping he’ll have a strong season and put his name up for a go at AFL footy next year. After that we are fairly comfortable with where we are at, but we looking at bringing in at least one other player.”
- Double Blues football manager Chris Trapp
WEST ADELAIDE
Key need: Depth
Other needs: –
“We were very fortunate that from an AFL recruiting point of view we were able to get Will (Snelling) and Dallas (Willsmore) before the draft and then they weren’t re-drafted. At this stage, we’re not looking at bringing much more in. We also picked up Jade Cleeland from Werribee, Patrick Levicki from Norwood and have Chris Schmidt returning to the club. It will likely be depth if anything, maybe pick up a lad or two from a country league that wants to try their hand at SANFL level. We have a few training with us currently.”
- Bloods football manager Andrew Marks
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
Key need: Talls
Other needs: Youth, depth
Delisted @GoldCoastSUNS midfielder Jesse Lonergan arrives at Oval Avenue to play under the guidance of his uncle Sam Lonergan, the new coach of @EAGLES_WWTFC. Should help out Eags' mosquito fleet with his strong frame in centre square. https://t.co/XRGOq47MCa pic.twitter.com/5gwr9daaqz
— Zac Milbank (@zacmilbank) November 29, 2018
“We’re pretty comfortable at the moment with getting Jimmy Toumpas and securing Jesse Lonergan as well. Jesse gives us the strong-bodied mid we were looking for and Jimmy can play through there and also as a Paul Stewart replacement off half-back. We’re still looking to add some youth, more likely in the new year, as well as a couple of talls.”
- Eagles chief executive Luke Powell
patrick.keam@news.com.au
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