Despite having just a handful of games to his name, Carlton tall Hudson O'Keeffe could prove to be a key piece of the puzzle for the Blues' 2026 prospects.
O'Keeffe, who turned 21 last month, broke through for an AFL debut in Round 13 last year against Essendon, showing value as a ruck-forward hybrid, even though he managed just the eight hitouts and the sole behind in front of goal.
The 202cm project player conjured five contested marks for a return of seven touches, playing an important role late in a thrilling eight-point victory in front of close to 75,000 fans.
The win over Essendon may have been a touch sweeter for O'Keeffe, who had trained for a list spot at Tullamarine ahead of the 2023 season, only to be overlooked. That same summer window saw O'Keeffe cross to Princes Park and secure his maiden AFL contract as a long-term ruckman just days after his failed Dons stint.
After years developing in the VFL, the Oakleigh Chargers product got his chance in 2025, and would feature under Michael Voss four more times by the cessation of the season.
Since, the Blues' front-half formation has undergone quite the shake-up, bidding farewell to two-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow to Sydney, and delisting leading VFL goalkicker Harry Lemmey.
Having opted against adding a tall forward since their nine-win season, the Blues will have Harry McKay as their focal point forward of the ball this year.
Ex-Swan Will Hayward and Brodie Kemp, who will look to return from an Achilles injury, will act as McKay's supporting cast, as well as Voss' fleet of small forwards.
What no other player on Carlton's list can provide McKay, though, is O'Keeffe's mix of height, youth and ruck-forward dynamism.
The five-gamer will alleviate any need for McKay to pinch-hit in the middle of the ground, with the Blues' star forward having been thrust into 151 ruck contests in 2025 alone.
With clubs able to rely on an additional interchange spot going forward, the selection flexibility looks set to aid O'Keeffe, and do the same for McKay and Voss in the process.
A role that sees O'Keeffe support first-string ruck Marc Pittonet and add a two-metre frame to Carlton's forward line will go a long way to unlocking the best of both McKay and Pittonet, and therefore the Blues.
In a world where Carlton loses McKay to injury, O'Keeffe would be placed as the club's only known forward who stands taller than the 192cm Kemp, making him a critical asset to develop through the early stages of this year.
If it were Pittonet who was forced to the sidelines, then recruit and three-gamer Liam Reidy would be left to steer the ruck ship, again increasing the reliance on O'Keeffe's supporting role.
What will hopefully buoy Blues fans is O'Keeffe's upcoming pre-season spell against formidable opposition, with Carlton to clash with Geelong and Brisbane as part of their tune-up in the coming weeks.
Both grand finalists from last year are likely to look toward their own emerging ruck stocks, with the Cats keen to see one of Toby Conway or Mitch Edwards announce themselves as Rhys Stanley's successor.
Brisbane, who will likely resume their two-ruck tandem, only with ex-Essendon tall Sam Draper in Oscar McInerney's place alongside two-time premiership ruckman Darcy Fort, is also home to Henry Smith - one of the premier rucks of the VFL in 2025.
Much like O'Keeffe, Smith has found himself on the fringes given the pecking order's priorities in years gone by, but could now thrive in the top flight given the increase in bench options, with the South Australian showing his value as a forward target at the state league level last year in addition to his ruck dominance.
