Sturt's Alex Dodson firms as the leading ruck prospect among the pool of 2024 draft names after balancing football and basketball commitments across a promising junior career.
A talent out of Payneham, Dodson stops the tape at 201cm and has a strong aerobic capacity that allows him to cover the ground on top of his formidable ruck craft.
Among South Australia's best in this year's draft class, Dodson has opted to pursue a career in Aussie Rules following years at the highest level in junior basketball.
He has managed to transition some of his best traits on the hardwood to the football field, with Dodson's leap and athleticism giving him the upper hand against most opponents.
The talented teenager played three games for his state at the National Championships, averaging 17.3 disposals, 19.7 hitouts, 6.7 hitouts to advantage, 3.7 clearances and 3.0 score involvements to earn the ruck spot in the U18 All-Australian team.
He would also feature in nine games for Sturt's U18s side, being the only player in the competition to end the year with over 200 hitouts in under 10 appearances.
Dodson's athleticism, work rate, follow-up clearance craft and effectiveness to impact the game outside of stoppages have him earning comparisons to St Kilda's Rowan Marshall and Western Bulldogs big man Tim English.
The Dogs, at Pick 17 or 25, could be a landing spot for Dodson, who will require some time to develop his game before a senior breakthrough, while Richmond and St Kilda may also show an interest in his services.
Position:ย Ruck
Height:ย 201cm
State:ย South Australia
Club:ย Payneham
Strengths
Ruck Craft
Athleticism
Work Rate
Aerial Ability
Draft Range
Pick 15-30
Potential Landing Spots
Western Bulldogs (Picks 17 and 25)
Richmond (Picks 18, 20, 23 and 24)
St Kilda (Pick 32)
AFL Comparison
Expert comments
"What a prospect he is at 203cm who can move the way he does. He'd be a two or three-year prospect. He's playing like a ruck rover around the ground to give them another avenue of getting the ball forward." - Kevin Sheehan.
