Adelaide adds back-up ruck depth with Port Melbourne big man Strachan

Adelaide picked a developing ruckman from Port Melbourne, a Murray Bushrangers defender and re-selected big man Paul Hunter in the AFL rookie draft on Friday afternoon.

Adelaide’s Paul Hunter, right, was re-drafted by the Crows as a rookie. Picture: Mark Brake

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Adelaide picked a developing ruckman from Port Melbourne, a Murray Bushrangers defender and re-selected big man Paul Hunter in the AFL rookie draft on Friday afternoon.

The Crows used their first selection of the rookie draft — pick No. 7 — to snag Kieran Strachan — a 202cm, 95kg ruckman who moved from Essendon’s VFL team to Port Melbourne in search of more opportunities mid-season.

In a statement on its website, Adelaide described the 23-year-old as “athletic for a big man, strong and versatile enough to play either in the ruck or as a key forward”.

With our first pick in this year's Rookie Draft, No. 7, we've selected Port Melbourne VFL ruckman/forward Kieran Strachan #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/vhysX9szJA

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 23, 2018

Jordan Butts, 18, was overlooked at last year’s draft and returned to the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup, where he averaged 17.5 disposals and six marks across 15 matches.

The Crows said Butts was “an exceptional intercept marker, a strong overhead and good at reading the ball in flight”.

Adelaide delisted Hunter, 25, in October but redrafted the ruckman/forward after a solid campaign with the Crows’ SANFL team.

Meanwhile, six Croweaters were also picked up at the rookie draft, adding to the 15 from SA who were selected at the national draft.

North Adelaide premiership players Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) and Callum Wilkie (St Kilda) found AFL homes, as did Glenelg’s Tobin Cox (Port Adelaide), and Norwood’s Kade Chandler (Melbourne).