I have no idea about U18 talent, but I wonder if we rate Alex Dodson.  This is the perfect time to draft a ruckman with Max signed on for 3 more years.

I like Will Verrall but I think he is going to struggle to make it as #1 ruck at 199cm.  He could be a forward-ruck or KPB option.

It's going to take at least a year, probably two, before a drafted ruckman is ready for AFL. Few ruckmen successfully carry the #1 mantle in their first two seasons.

By season three in 2027 the transition from Max will be in full swing, a draftee this year will turn 21 then.  It's too late doing it in the 2026 draft.

Some discussion in this article: Top picks on table, Crows moves keep coming, Combine watch

It's risky to rely on picking up a ready-to-go mature ager at the end of Max's contract - if that was this year who are the options - Ivan Soldo? No thanks.

If we do like Dodson and draft him we can always fall back on the mature ager strategy if he doesn't come on as hoped.

Did he play basketball ?

Surely the better strategy is to bring in a ready made replacement when Max is done, rather than take the risk of drafting a ruckman. 

Been waiting for the Alex Dodson thread to come along and give me hope again!

I just read the link that old55 posted. Yep makes sense to get him! I like that he has an elite basketball background also. I'm all for drafting him!

I've been thinking similarly if we have a pick in the right range.

I like the timing and the fact that he'll have great mentors with Campbell and Gawn. I'd be happy for Dodson and Verrall to have a shoot-out for the spot. Verrall's height is a concern and IMO, he doesn't make up for it in other ways (eg. mobility, marking or kicking). I like his handballing and follow-up after a ruck contest but I'll reserve judgement until he's reached peak fitness, hopefully this preseason.

Can anyone offer insight into Dodson beyond the highlights reel?

Last 5 for 20m dash at the combine. Stay away.

 

**This is a joke**

7 hours ago, layzie said:

Last 5 for 20m dash at the combine. Stay away.

 

**This is a joke**

That's not ideal but endurance is more important for the ruck role, would be interesting to know how he went in the 2km time trial.

I really hope we find a way to get an early 20's pic (I previously put forward a way in the draft day thread). 

This kid is not your usual awkward tall teen.  

Meet the basketball convert putting up extraordinary numbers

We'd have to split 9, wonder if Port, GWS, WC or Freo might give us their first and early second.. 

Edited November 5, 20241 yr by Mouseymoo

Thought we gave up all the loose change to move to the premium seats. Would be astounded if 9th would be down grounded. Defies logic.
 

Wednesday fortnight can’t be too far away…

…relief is in sight isn’t it?

3 hours ago, Mouseymoo said:

We'd have to split 9, wonder if Port, GWS, WC or Freo might give us their first and early second.. 

26, 29 and 30 could be too late if Dodson is any good

2 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Thought we gave up all the loose change to move to the premium seats. Would be astounded if 9th would be down grounded. Defies logic.
 

Wednesday fortnight can’t be too far away…

…relief is in sight isn’t it?

We made a similar offer for 13 as we did 9. We did what was needed to get the additional first rounder. Perfectly logical that we make a small trade down if the draft board and offers work out.

Surely Kalani White would be the future ruck investment? IF we draft Dodson might it mean we don’t feel he’s coming? 

1 hour ago, Wells 11 said:

Surely Kalani White would be the future ruck investment? IF we draft Dodson might it mean we don’t feel he’s coming? 

Or he is not big enough to be an AFL ruckman, but rather a key position player.

12 hours ago, Wells 11 said:

Surely Kalani White would be the future ruck investment? IF we draft Dodson might it mean we don’t feel he’s coming? 

He's a KPD at the moment

17 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Thought we gave up all the loose change to move to the premium seats. Would be astounded if 9th would be down grounded. Defies logic.
 

 

 

Don't get too hung up on the pick number, 'cause that's all it is at this stage, a number. 

If we feel there are a couple of players we really like (and suit our needs) that are gettable with later picks, we will look at splitting pick 9. 

3 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

He's a KPD at the moment

Kalani is only 200cm at the moment, so he's at the shorter end of today's rucks (see below for a quick reference from ChatGPT).  At some point we will need a legitimate replacement for Gawn. Unfortunately most of the potential options don't have the same ability to get around the ground like Gawn does.  If we see a good young bloke next year though I say we pounce. 
 

Club	First Ruckman	Height
Adelaide Crows	Reilly O'Brien	201 cm
Brisbane Lions	Oscar McInerney	204 cm
Carlton Blues	Marc Pittonet	202 cm
Collingwood Magpies	Darcy Cameron	204 cm
Essendon Bombers	Sam Draper	205 cm
Fremantle Dockers	Sean Darcy	203 cm
Geelong Cats	Rhys Stanley	200 cm
Gold Coast Suns	Jarrod Witts	209 cm
GWS Giants	Kieren Briggs	201 cm
Hawthorn Hawks	Ned Reeves	211 cm
Melbourne Demons	Max Gawn	208 cm
North Melbourne Kangaroos	Tristan Xerri	201 cm
Port Adelaide Power	Scott Lycett	203 cm
Richmond Tigers	Ivan Soldo	204 cm
St Kilda Saints	Rowan Marshall	201 cm
Sydney Swans	Tom Hickey	201 cm
West Coast Eagles	Nic Naitanui	201 cm
Western Bulldogs	Tim English	208 cm

19 minutes ago, BORNADO said:

Kalani is only 200cm at the moment, so he's at the shorter end of today's rucks (see below for a quick reference from ChatGPT).  At some point we will need a legitimate replacement for Gawn. Unfortunately most of the potential options don't have the same ability to get around the ground like Gawn does.  If we see a good young bloke next year though I say we pounce. 
 

Club	First Ruckman	Height
Adelaide Crows	Reilly O'Brien	201 cm
Brisbane Lions	Oscar McInerney	204 cm
Carlton Blues	Marc Pittonet	202 cm
Collingwood Magpies	Darcy Cameron	204 cm
Essendon Bombers	Sam Draper	205 cm
Fremantle Dockers	Sean Darcy	203 cm
Geelong Cats	Rhys Stanley	200 cm
Gold Coast Suns	Jarrod Witts	209 cm
GWS Giants	Kieren Briggs	201 cm
Hawthorn Hawks	Ned Reeves	211 cm
Melbourne Demons	Max Gawn	208 cm
North Melbourne Kangaroos	Tristan Xerri	201 cm
Port Adelaide Power	Scott Lycett	203 cm
Richmond Tigers	Ivan Soldo	204 cm
St Kilda Saints	Rowan Marshall	201 cm
Sydney Swans	Tom Hickey	201 cm
West Coast Eagles	Nic Naitanui	201 cm
Western Bulldogs	Tim English	208 cm

Thanks but that'll be news to WC, Richmond, Sydney and even Hawthorn.

Chat GPT - close but no cigar!

26 minutes ago, BORNADO said:

Kalani is only 200cm at the moment, so he's at the shorter end of today's rucks (see below for a quick reference from ChatGPT).  At some point we will need a legitimate replacement for Gawn. Unfortunately most of the potential options don't have the same ability to get around the ground like Gawn does.  If we see a good young bloke next year though I say we pounce. 
 

Club	First Ruckman	Height
Adelaide Crows	Reilly O'Brien	201 cm
Brisbane Lions	Oscar McInerney	204 cm
Carlton Blues	Marc Pittonet	202 cm
Collingwood Magpies	Darcy Cameron	204 cm
Essendon Bombers	Sam Draper	205 cm
Fremantle Dockers	Sean Darcy	203 cm
Geelong Cats	Rhys Stanley	200 cm
Gold Coast Suns	Jarrod Witts	209 cm
GWS Giants	Kieren Briggs	201 cm
Hawthorn Hawks	Ned Reeves	211 cm
Melbourne Demons	Max Gawn	208 cm
North Melbourne Kangaroos	Tristan Xerri	201 cm
Port Adelaide Power	Scott Lycett	203 cm
Richmond Tigers	Ivan Soldo	204 cm
St Kilda Saints	Rowan Marshall	201 cm
Sydney Swans	Tom Hickey	201 cm
West Coast Eagles	Nic Naitanui	201 cm
Western Bulldogs	Tim English	208 cm

Inaccuracies of ruckman names aside, your suggestion we wait and hope another year to replace Max concerns me. Max turns 33yo next month. Ruckman, traditionally need time. Will Verall is a fair way off atm and is 'only' 199cm anyway. 

I recommend you look at vision of Alex Dodson in the u18 Championships. He is a very mobile,  high possession,  203cn ruckman.  He really only concentrated on football this year, being a top level basketballer. He is the best teen ruck prospect I've seen in years. The great depth of talent this year is the only reason he's not being touted top 10. 

Even then, I think he will get picked higher than many predict. If we can't manage a pick split, I would still seriously consider him at 9, which will end up at 11 or 12 anyway.