Gun ruckman in Tigers' sightsBy Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
10:39 AM Wed 14 Nov, 2012RICHMOND could find itself in the box seat to recruit Brodie Grundy, the best young ruckman in the country, at next week's NAB AFL Draft.
And even if Greater Western Sydney doesn't select the South Australian big man with one of its first three picks, it is also a chance to land him later in the draft.
Massive raps: read Grundy's assessment and see his highlightsAlthough touted as one of the Giants' first three selections for most of the year, the club seems likely to ignore Grundy and pick midfielders Lachie Whitfield and Jimmy Toumpas, and defender Lachie Plowman, with its opening picks.
South Australian Troy Menzel is also a chance to be picked at No.3, with some recruiters believing it's a toss of the coin whether Menzel or Plowman end up as the Giants' third selection.
At pick seven, Port Adelaide is likely to choose between Grundy and fellow South Australian Sam Mayes. Victorians Jackson Macrae and Kristian Jaksch will also come into contention at this selection.
The Power already has four players on their list at 200cm or more, although the 202cm Grundy is considered ready for senior action next year.
But if Port choose to overlook Grundy he will get through to the Tigers, with Brisbane not interested in drafting another ruckman after choosing Billy Longer last year at pick eight.
It means Grundy could fall into the Tigers' lap at pick nine, a coup for the club given its lack of ruck depth.
It lost Angus Graham to Adelaide during the Gillette AFL Trade Period, and has shown interest in bolstering its ruck department by inviting delisted duo Orren Stephenson and Cameron Wood to train with it ahead of the draft.
Complicating matters is that the Tigers are also fond of prolific midfielder Macrae, and also like Vic Metro captain Nick Vlastuin.
If the Tigers don't go with Grundy, the Giants could afford to pick him with selection 14, which would be the steal of this year's draft.
Essendon (pick 10) has committed to star junior Joe Daniher, while Carlton (pick 11) has other priorities to address ahead of adding another ruckman to its list.
Gold Coast holds pick 13 but is unlikely to pick another ruckman with the abundance of young big men on its developing list.
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