New West Adelaide recruit Jade Cleeland is happy to play forward, defence or in ruck for Bloods
NEW West Adelaide recruit Jade Cleeland says he can add versatility to the Bloods as they look to earn a finals berth for the first time since winning the SANFL flag in 2015.
NEW West Adelaide recruit Jade Cleeland says he can add versatility to the Bloods as they look to earn a finals berth for the first time since winning the SANFL flag in 2015.
West announced last week it had lured the 23-year-old big man from VFL club Werribee for next season.
At 197cm and 96kg, Cleeland says he can play up forward and also in defence as well as in the ruck.
“I play as a tall, key-position player and I can sort of play at both ends of the ground,” Cleeland says.
“I’m pretty flexible to do whatever the team needs and the past couple of years I’ve played as a half-forward and a ruckman, but I can also play back if required.”
Cleeland spent the past two seasons with Werribee and was also part of the Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray Football League.
He says Adelaide’s relaxed lifestyle and a belief the Bloods are building success helped him leave Werribee.
“I’ve sort of followed the SANFL closely for the past few years and although I really enjoyed my time in Melbourne, the lifestyle (in Adelaide) appeals to me,” he says.
“It was just a fresh opportunity and I’m looking forward to joining West Adelaide.
“I’m hoping to have a really good, solid summer and learn the style the Bloods play.
“I played in Wangaratta’s grand final this past season, but we lost to Albury by eight points.
“That was actually my first finals campaign as a senior.
“Every player wants to win a premiership, so it would be a pretty special thing to do with West.”
The Bloods have also signed former Norwood defender Patrick Levicki, while midfielder Will Snelling will return if an AFL club does not hand him a lifeline.
Snelling, 21, played in West’s 2015 premiership then was selected by the Power at the 2016 rookie draft.
He only managed one AFL game for Port and, despite winning the club’s SANFL best and fairest this year, was delisted last month.
West football manager Andrew Marks is pleased with how the Bloods’ list for 2019, which also includes the return of former skipper Chris Schmidt, is shaping up.