Norwood reserves ruckman Henry Crauford trialling for final spot on Essendon’s AFL list
Despite not featuring at SANFL level in his short career, one budding Norwood ruckman could find himself on Essendon’s AFL list before the start of the 2020 season. That’s if he trials well.
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He hasn’t played a game of SANFL senior footy but Henry Crauford might end up on an AFL list, capping a meteoric rise for the late blooming ruckman.
The Norwood big man is on trial with Essendon, as the Bombers seek to add to their ruck stocks with the final spot available on their list.
A former swimmer, who trained with and competed against Olympic Gold Medallist Kyle Chalmers, Crauford hasn’t managed a SANFL game for the Redlegs because of premiership ruck Sam Baulderstone.
But the 22-year-old’s fine form at reserves level, winning the Redlegs’ best and fairest, earned him an invite to the AFL State Combine in October after numerous clubs expressed interest in him.
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That interest has remained after the draft, with Essendon flying the 204cm Crauford to Melbourne to trial for its final pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) slot.
Crauford is with the Bombers on their trip to Colac, watching their VFL side against Geelong.
The club is on the hunt for more ruck options, with Tom Bellchambers out with a knee injury and young gun Sam Draper recovering from an ACL reconstruction.
Andrew Phillips has been played by the Bombers so far in pre-season after he arrived from Carlton.
If Crauford is snapped up by the Bombers, the Redlegs would be in line for compensation.
But while Crauford hasn’t played a senior game for Norwood, following South Adelaide losing star ruckman Keegan Brooksby to Hawthorn, it will again raise questions and concerns about the impact the SSP rules and mid-season draft are having on league clubs.
Under the SSP, AFL clubs can recruit players who have previously been on an AFL list or nominated for the draft to replace long-term injured or retired players.
Crauford loomed as a breakout player for the Redlegs this season with a second SANFL pre-season under his belt after joining from Mount Burr.
He decided to focus on footy in 2016 after balancing it with swimming, and averaged 16 disposals, five clearances and 27 hit-outs in the SANFL reserves last season.
Originally published as Norwood reserves ruckman Henry Crauford trialling for final spot on Essendon’s AFL list