SANDRINGHAM Dragons high flyer Archie Ludowyke is a spring-heeled key forward primed to explode in his top-age campaign. The National Academy member missed out on the Dragons’ third consecutive premiership last year, but is looking to kick some short and long-term goals to get back to the top.

Ludowyke, a St Kilda supporter, models his game off a trio of gun goalkickers and has identified his areas for improvement heading into 2025. We sat down with the 17-year-old at the recent Coates Talent League preseason testing event, where he ranked highly in the jumping events.

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PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Archie, talk to me firstly about some of your earliest football memories.

AL: I played at East Sandy Zebras for juniors until we merged with the Rovers in about Under 15s. Probably my best memory from juniors would be the Under 12s flag for East Sandy. Just playing with all my best mates from primary school and being able to get the premiership was really good.

Q: Speaking of flags, you unfortunately missed out on Sandringham’s last year, what was that experience like for you?

AL: It was obviously a bit tough, I was playing quite poorly at the end of the year and I was on the cusp of selection. But then, the week of I got an injury to my coccyx bone, so that was pretty hard because I knew that I had to train well on Wednesday but I just couldn’t run. So, I ended up having to sit out of the game and watching on the sidelines was tough… watching them get the win was so good though, I loved it for all the boys and just like celebrating with them was great.

Q: How was your recovery and lead-in to preseason otherwise?

AL: The next week I ended up being able to play in the Futures match which was pretty special, loved that. Since then I’ve just kept on recovering and preseason’s been quite strong lately, so I’m pretty happy with that. Just building back form since the end of last year, which has been really good.

Q: What kind of learnings did you take from the Futures game, and being part of the National Academy and Vic Metro program?

AL: The Futures match is the best [players] from all around the country. It was really great to play with them and just see the talent that I wasn’t really exposed to from around Australia. People like Noah Chamberlain, I loved playing with them. It’s was a bit unfortunate I had to sit out the Metro camp because I got another knee to my coccyx. But still just being there with all the boys, having good connections with them from the 16s and 17s year, it was really good building on those connections even more.

Q: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

AL: My main strength’s probably marking. Just the aerial contesting and also athleticism, the jumping and agility for a taller player. They’re probably my main strengths.

Q: What are you still looking to work on?

AL: Set shots are a big one. Last year I kind of struggled with that a bit, but with a big preseason I’ve been improving that a lot. Also just ground balls. It’s always been a bit of a [strength] of mine, but I want to make that quite good in my game.

Q: Will you still be nailing down that key forward role or mix it up a bit?

AL: Key forward’s probably my main position this year. For school I might go down back a little as an extra man. But basically key forward and maybe a chop-out of ruck every now and again.

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?

AL: I watch a bit. I’m not a player that turns it on every match. I’ll watch the key matches and the key players that I really model my game off to watch how they move. Then also just the stars like Nick Daicos and players like that.

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Q: Which club do you support and which players to you model your game on?

AL: I go for St Kilda and the three players I model my game on are Jeremy Cameron, Charlie Curnow and Aaron Cadman.

Q: What do you take from them in particular?

AL: It’s different for each player. For Cameron it’s the running up and back down the field, just his tank and ability to win the ball. He’s a left-footer as well. Curnow is the marking ability, jumping and athleticism. Then Cadman’s just a very similar player to me. Probably not the tallest forward, not the biggest forward, but has a great jump and great running as a key forward.

Q: Do you have any teammates you think we should look out for to have a big year?

AL: I reckon Alfie Lambert, number 13 for the Dragons. He’s had a really good preseason. And Kye Fincher. Also, one more I’d say is probably James Arnold.

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Q: Finally, what are your goals for the year?

AL: I guess the main goal is to be drafted, but a couple of shorter-term goals would be to kick a few goals in the National Academy games. Then throughout the National Champs, just to play every game, kick a few goals and play well.