Jarrad Redden (Woodville West Torrens/SA) - Draft Profile


Height: 202cm
Weight: 88kg
Style: Inside tap ruckman
Potential: 7-8/10

Strengths

> Vertical leap is excellent (uses it, but will need to work on timing which is generally OK, but sometimes not) and has good pace off the mark and agility/lateral movement for a ruckman
> Excellent tapwork – wins a high percentage of hitouts (ranked 3rd in hitouts and hitouts to advantage at 08 U18 championships) – clever positioning and frequently feeds to his midfielders advantage – smart, has variety, not 1 dimensional – mixes it up (doesn’t always go to the same spot)
> Excellent balance
> Effectively an inside midfielder after he contests the tap – better than all ruckman in this draft at that side of things bar Naitanui – follows up his taps consistently (job isn’t over till the ball is cleared), willing to scrap at ground level for it - excellent 2nd efforts, defensive pressure in close and vision/poise in traffic - very good by hand – accurate feeds with good power and hurt factor
> Clean ball handling
> Ability to work his way to front spot in a contest (ruck or marking) without jostling/wrestling
Very sound kick for a ruckman – solid technically
> Excellent size for a ruck (202cm), good build and could almost be considered bottom aged – likely to continue growing and filling out

Weaknesses

> Poor engine (high 11 beep test)
> Lacks an outside game – not a big ball winner - doesn’t seem to have the nous/smarts to run to the right spots
> Doesn’t seem confident in his kicking – prefers to give off by hand to a runner whenever possible
> Would like to see him use his body more in ruck contests and push and shove – he can effectively get to the ball/front position to have a leap at footy without using his arms, which likely comes from his basketball background, but the better AFL ruckman will likely try and exploit him by engaging in a wrestle so he can’t have a leap at it
> Lacks top speed – can be closed off fairly easily on the lead by a defender when playing forward.

Other

> Can take a good pack mark – holds his position very well– wouldn’t call it a strength though as his hands aren’t consistent enough
> Basketball background (state standard) – evident in playing style – would suggest good scope to develop ‘footy smarts’, bodywork and engine
> Cousin of Tom and Jack

Overall

Redden is a very good ruck prospect, who IMO has very good security in at least becoming a solid AFL player – as close to fail-safe as you could expect from a developing ruck with good scope to develop. At best I see him being one of the leading tap ruckman in the competition that gives his side an edge at stoppages with his 2nd efforts and clearance ability inside traffic. At worst a 2nd ruckman that likewise won’t stop working till the ball is cleared from the stoppage area.

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