He's a specialist at it!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.afl.com.au/news/1162963/big-st-kilda-saint-tom-campbell-on-unexpected-guest-life-as-a-back-up-and-whats-next/amp

Would join Robbie Campbell as inspiring ruck recruits.

The only ways this makes sense is if they believe Verrall will be ready in 2026, they have a better target in 2026 or there’s just no one in the state leagues of any quality.

Either way, I’d again ask what the rush is if no one else wants him. Get the biggest and best 25 year old down for preseason training and if they aren’t up for it then sign Campbell. 

Surely we’d be looking at a Harry Boyd type dominating at VFL who would want the chance to be on an AFL list?

I know being back up to Max Gawn is a tough sell, but at least you’d be bringing in someone with upside who might still be around in a few years once Max retires 

I’d rather a Harry Boyd type or Ivan Maric is on the outer at Port and is similar quality to Campbell and much younger.

I'd prefer Boyd or Crossley but Campbell has shown he can compete at the level and would be much much needed depth so fact he comes free and doesn't cost a draft pick puts him into the frame for me, 100!

 

Its a depth role only and allows Verrall to continue to develop...

He's not a good AFL player but if it means we don't have a repeat of the Petty and JVR debacle facing the Darcy's and Jackson's of the league then the acquisition would make sense.

The club really needs a ready made ruckman by trade on the list outside of Gawn. We paid dearly for it in the Freo game in which the game was over before it even started.

Edited September 23, 20241 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

Free ruck depth. Something we need.

We are obviously trying to take over the mantle from Geelong as the Geriatrics Club.

Our motto has become "If you younger than 27, you need not apply".

As DeeSpencer said, it doesn't make sense. Verrall is still an unknown quantity, so surely we should be targeting someone in the 25yo age bracket who can compete at AFL level, but also has upside.

NO. 32 year old backup ruckman !!! We are sinking to new lows. And already been at 3 other clubs.  Wow.  Does the term “No” mean anything !!  

Prefer other younger VFL/WAFL/SANFL ruck options as backup.  

example.  Harry Boyd!!! won the Magarey Medal in the SANFL this year playing in the ruck for Norwood.  Let’s see … average 20.1 disposals, 10 clearances, 4.4 tackles and 41 hitouts per game. Guess what?  He's originally from Victoria.  FFS. 

44 minutes ago, Tolstoys Nudge said:

I'd prefer Boyd or Crossley but Campbell has shown he can compete at the level and would be much much needed depth so fact he comes free and doesn't cost a draft pick puts him into the frame for me, 100!

 

Its a depth role only and allows Verrall to continue to develop...

Watched Crossley yesterday and he looked out of shape

 

Boyd looks undersized and would struggle at AFL level

I don't see the issue with a stop-gap option like this, would know he's an in case of emergency break glass type acquisition. 

Free addition, low salary. Don't think it would necessary hinder Verrall's growth, would help share the load.

Would other clubs be into Boyd?

 

 

 

@Pennant St Dee  help me out … thoughts on Oliver Eastland from Claremont.  Had a huge year from what I see. Liked him in brief cameo in state game.  WAFL stats this year. Hitouts avg 41, disposals avg 20, tackles avg 8.  26yo.  Nice left footer.  Moves well.  Excellent last 2 years.  Any chance as a late pick to support Maxy? 

29 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@Pennant St Dee  help me out … thoughts on Oliver Eastland from Claremont.  Had a huge year from what I see. Liked him in brief cameo in state game.  WAFL stats this year. Hitouts avg 41, disposals avg 20, tackles avg 8.  26yo.  Nice left footer.  Moves well.  Excellent last 2 years.  Any chance as a late pick to support Maxy? 

Just don’t think he’s big enough for AFL, 199cm, very good WAFL player but the step up is massive 

I can't believe we're still talking about Tom Campbell in 2024.

But maybe now more than ever it's the right option. 

3 minutes ago, layzie said:

I can't believe we're still talking about Tom Campbell in 2024.

But maybe now more than ever it's the right option. 

46 minutes ago, roy11 said:

I don't see the issue with a stop-gap option like this, would know he's an in case of emergency break glass type acquisition. 

Free addition, low salary. Don't think it would necessary hinder Verrall's growth, would help share the load.

Would other clubs be into Boyd?

 

 

 

What if Verrall isn't AFL ready in 2026? Tom Campbell will be 34 then. Whoever we bring in from the State Leagues will be low salary and a low pick. 

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Does the term “No” mean anything !!

Depends who's saying it.

20 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Just don’t think he’s big enough for AFL, 199cm, very good WAFL player but the step up is massive 

Thanks PSD. Understandable… yet it’s just as a backup here.  Gawn is still number 1.

I’m padding until we get Cooper Duff-Tytler next year. 🤣🤣👏

ps. Strangely some said Xerri would not make it. And Sweet wasn’t AFL standard.  

Can’t wait to have Campbell and Fullarton as back up ruckmen forcing Verrall onto the bench at Casey. 

100% what we need.  1 year contract getting paid bare minimum.  If he has to come in for Max he is capable at AFL level.

Not many options going around in this department that can compete at AFL level.

39 minutes ago, mo64 said:

What if Verrall isn't AFL ready in 2026? Tom Campbell will be 34 then. Whoever we bring in from the State Leagues will be low salary and a low pick. 

Look I agreed with you that Boyd has the advantage due to his age. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the fella - obviously some posters rate him highly on here, others a little less so - just stating TC has been in the AFL system etc

If we went down the Boyd route, there's still a chance that in 2 years time he hasn't played a game at AFL level and by then he would be 28 years old. 

We'll know a lot more about Verrall  in the next 12-18 months.

Also think its important to note that Max signed a 3 year deal and as that progresses we'll look a better destination for some Rucks (that are a better age fit etc) who are already on AFL lists.

41 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Thanks PSD. Understandable… yet it’s just as a backup here.  Gawn is still number 1.

I’m padding until we get Cooper Duff-Tytler next year. 🤣🤣👏

ps. Strangely some said Xerri would not make it. And Sweet wasn’t AFL standard.  

Louis Emmett looks a star in the making as well while I wonder if Ludowyke will grow further and perhaps take some ruck duties next year for Sandy.

Don’t know Campbell from a bar of soap, but is he any better than Fullarton? But I still don’t understand why we are looking for a back up ruck, when what we need is a forward pocket ruckman who can play 23 games so that Roo doesn’t have to ruck. Surely! 

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

NO. 32 year old backup ruckman !!! We are sinking to new lows. And already been at 3 other clubs.  Wow.  Does the term “No” mean anything !!  

Prefer other younger VFL/WAFL/SANFL ruck options as backup.  

example.  Harry Boyd!!! won the Magarey Medal in the SANFL this year playing in the ruck for Norwood.  Let’s see … average 20.1 disposals, 10 clearances, 4.4 tackles and 41 hitouts per game. Guess what?  He's originally from Victoria.  FFS. 

You're truly amazing SONS - an authority on all things U18 and draft, every State league player, every AFL player and all things MFC. I truly don't know how you do it.