THE BUDDING draft crop of 2026 shapes as one with a bit of everything and the ruck department is certainly not short on talent. A standout group of 200cm-plus prospects has already emerged, with the National Academy set to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to key position options. After West Coast selected Cooper Duff-Tytler with pick four this year, many similar types may soon hit those lofty heights. We profile a handful of ruckmen to watch for next year, including an over-age wildcard.

>> 26 in 2026: A look ahead to next year’s top prospects

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/SA)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008

Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition this year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side this year by All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth, but kept him honest at training and would comfortably have held his own at the level.

Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/VM)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

A man mountain who plays with serious presence, Houndsome has already proven to be a big-game player. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and contested marking prowess around the ground. That breakout came after also winning best on ground honours in the ACC Grand Final. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck, especially when teaming up with Harry Van Hattum for the Knights and Vic Metro.

Cooper Ramsay (East Fremantle/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 09/01/2007

There are massive wraps on Ramsay, who turned out for just one WAFL Colts game this year and two in 2024. The soccer convert was discovered at a ‘come and try’ day for tall talent and slotted into Western Australia’s Under 16 side as an over-ager last year. He would have been his state’s mainline ruck this year if not for stress fractures in his shin, but still earned a state combine invite and AFL clubs are clearly all over his raw athleticism. He’s the type of prospect who falls into the category of ‘plenty to work on, but plenty to work with’, so will be one to watch if he gets a clean run at it.

Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/VM)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008

Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. He covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or deep forward. There is plenty of talk already to suggest Van Hattum could be the leading key position player in 2026, drawing comparisons to this year’s fourth pick, Cooper Duff-Tytler. He won the Knights’ Rising Star award this year and earned a Vic Metro debut, turning out against Vic Country.

Benji van Rooyen (Claremont/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

van Rooyen will be hoping to follow big brother Jacob into the AFL ranks next year. Projecting to have over 10cm of height over his elder sibling, the Claremont tall gets first access to the ball with his sheer reach and developing ruck craft. He’s wiry but super clean overhead and effective on the follow-up, making for nimble play at such a lofty height. The 17-year-old held down Western Australia’s starting ruck role this year and has begun to enhance his impact around the ground, as shown during Claremont’s run to a third-consecutive Colts flag.