Norwood reserves ruckman Henry Crauford recruited by Essendon via Supplemental Selection Period
Essendon has selected young Norwood reserves ruckman Henry Crauford to fill its final AFL list spot, despite him not featuring at SANFL level at any point in his budding football career.
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Essendon has signed young Norwood ruckman Henry Crauford with its final list spot, despite him not playing a single game at SANFL level.
The 22-year-old, who won the Redlegs’ reserves best and fairest last season, was on trial with the Bombers as they sought to add to their ruck stocks, with Andrew Phillips currently their only fit option.
Essendon announced the 204cm Crauford will be signed with its pre-season supplemental selection period list spot (SSP) after a successful trial.
General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said he would add to the Bombers’ versatility.
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“We are pleased to welcome Henry to the club through the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period,” Dodoro said.
“Henry is a great young man that will broaden our ruck depth and has the ability to play as a tall forward.
“He displays good athleticism and endurance for a man of his height.
“After careful consideration and monitoring several players over the past three months, we feel that Henry is the best fit for us and what we required for our team demographics.”
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A former swimmer, who trained with and competed against Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers, Crauford hasn’t managed a SANFL game for the Redlegs since joining from Mount Burr because of premiership ruck Sam Baulderstone’s dominance.
But his fine form at reserves level earned him an invite to the AFL State Combine in October after numerous clubs expressed interest in him.
Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton said he was pleased for Crauford.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” he said.
But after South Adelaide lost star ruckman Keegan Brooksby to Hawthorn via a SSP pick last week, Cotton said the timing of such a pick hurt SANFL clubs.
“I don’t agree with the way that they (AFL clubs) pick up players (from state leagues),” he said.
“The timing just isn’t ideal.”
Under the SSP, AFL clubs can pick up players who have previously been on an AFL list or nominated for the draft to replace long-term injured or retired players.