North Adelaide draftee Jordon Sweet eyeing off Western Bulldogs ruck job

Jordon Sweet rode the wave of North Adelaide’s remarkable SANFL flag run all the way from the reserves to the AFL. Now he is hoping it will take him to the No.1 ruck role at the Western Bulldogs.

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Jordon Sweet rode the wave of North Adelaide’s remarkable SANFL flag run all the way from the reserves to the AFL.

Now he is hoping it will take him to the No.1 ruck role at the Western Bulldogs.

It might seem a stretch for the 202cm Sweet, who just months ago was struggling to break into the Roosters’ league side.

But the 20-year-old is dreaming big.

“The goal is to play round one,” Sweet, taken by the Dogs at pick 23 in the rookie draft, says.

“It’s a big goal but why not set yourself a big goal and just go after it.”

Versatile ruckman who capped off an excellent 2018 with a North Adelaide premiership 🏆

Jordon Sweet's highlights are well worth a look! pic.twitter.com/VoW8VBW1mv

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) November 25, 2018

The role of Bulldogs’ leading ruckman appears open for audition, as the departures of veteran big men Jordan Roughead and Tom Campbell, leave youngster Tim English and makeshift rucks Tom Boyd and Jackson Trengove as Sweet’s rivals for the job.

Sweet’s anything-is-possible attitude is of little surprise, given his vital role in North’s premiership side.

It took him until two rounds before the finals to make his league debut for the season following 13 games in the Roosters’ reserves.

Big major-round performances against leading SANFL ruckmen Keegan Brooksby, Jack Osborn and Sam Baulderstone then led to a rapid rise in his draft stock.

Jordon Sweet marks in front of Tom Fields during the Elimination Final. Picture: Sarah Reed

Naturally, the interest came as a surprise to Sweet.

But the big man, who missed out on selection in his under-18 season two years ago, felt ready.

“It all happened within about two months,” Sweet says.

“I wasn’t focusing on getting drafted but a lot of interest came late, after the season.

“Two years ago my head wasn’t in the right place and I don’t think I was ready – physically or mentally – for the AFL.

“Now I think I’m a lot more mature.”

Sweet says a lot of the credit for his development over the past two seasons has to go to the Roosters’ coaches, Josh Carr and Jacob Surjan particularly.

He hopes his mobility, running capacity and aggression in the contest will hold him in good stead when he makes the leap to the next level.

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