STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Speed
+ Ruck craft
+ Stoppage work

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Aerial ability
- Production

The number one ruck at both Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro, Hudson O'Keeffe is a player with plenty of upside, but also plenty to work on after a solid top-age year. O'Keeffe is a ruck who despite standing at 202cm, often does the ground level work better than the aerial contests. He is fantastic at leaping and winning the ruck taps - he averaged 21.7 hitouts per game at NAB League level - but still has a lot to work on around the ground.

O'Keeffe is known for not just winning the hitouts, but pulling it down and throwing it on the boot forward, gaining some much needed clearance from congestion. With a 2.9-second 20m sprint, a player of his size has rare athleticism that clubs will keep an eye on, and he can clearly not only dominate the hitouts themselves, but have the confidence to take the ball and boot it forward, often laying follow-up tackles as well.

In saying all that, there is a bit to work on with O'Keeffe. For starters, his aerial work is the major improvement, with the ruck averaging less than a mark per game - and just one at the national carnival - and in fact winning more free kicks than taking marks. He is also a low production player, proving a standout ruck but piecing together the rest.