Height: 198cm
Weight: 94kg
Preferred foot: Right
Position: Ruck/KPF
Potential: 6-8/10
Strengths
> Tapwork is good – good variety, directs it well to his midfielders advantage on a consistent basis
> Good leap (though not consistently?)
> Decent-good skills by foot for a ruck (solid by hand)
Weaknesses
> Seems to have a poor engine/work-rate – doesn’t offer much around the ground with only 9.6dpg at TAC Cup level
> 2009 form has been inconsistent - had a disappointing 2009 U18 Championships according to expectations and the strength of opposition rucks
> Inconsistent intensity and doesn't offer enough physicality for a big bodied ruck - I would like to see him throw his weight around much more often
Other
> 198cm is probably on the short side for a ruckman – however he is at a good reach advantage for his height – so may not be an issue
> Can take a good grab - largely due to his leap (including 'speccies') and height/reach advantage rather than strength, but hands seem somewhat inconsistent (drops quite a few marks you would expect him to swallow with ease)
> Generally makes decent decisions with the footy
> Seems to have OK pace, agility and mobility for a ruckman
> Had the 2nd highest skinfolds at DC – shouldn’t have any troubles filling out, but needs to get in leaner shape
> Played all 5 2009 U18 Championships game
Stats
Overall
Vardy is a tap ruck with some good attributes, however whilst he is probably the best AFL ruck prospect in this draft, he would’ve struggled for top 3 last year. I think he does have the potential to offer a lot more as a mobile ruck if he improves his physical condition and work-rate to a good level – he also needs to add more intensity to his game. Rucks are hard to project as most don’t show a heck of a lot as U18s, but have a ton of improvement left as they mature – I think at worst he may only be an emergency option, at best he could be a decent 1st ruck and push into the top 150 AFL players. He is being touted as a mid first-mid 2nd rounder.
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