If anyone can iron out his kicking, Iâd say the Hawks could be the side that could do it. My feel is he goes late draft, so he could be a really good get if things work out. He has the power and intangibles that I give him a fighting chance, which is all you can ask for late draft sometimes.
I have covered Ratugolea quite frequently in my weekly wraps (which can be found on page one). These are a few samples of some of the things Iâve written about Ratugolea from a quick search:
Esava Ratugolea in the last month has proven a real find for Murray in the TAC Cup with four and eight goals in his previous two outings. Against South Australia, Ratugolea stepped into the Vic Country squad and showed some attributes that made recruiters and fans alike sit up and take notice.
Ratugolea is of Fijian heritage and having only picked up the game a few years ago is said to have progressed strongly off the back of an outstanding pre-season. At 194cm, 95kg, Ratugolea while not as tall, has a physical profile reminiscent of Nic Naitanui with his power, speed and leap all attributes he uses to have an impact.
Ratugolea took several impressive aerial marks, using his spring to get up high, and his strong hands to take the marks. Ratugolea also at ground level showed some terrific signs and made a particularly impressive play when he gave a second effort, diving and tapping the loose ball onto a teammate who went on to gain possession.
What let Ratugolea down in this game was his footskills - at stages missing a snap at goal from 10m with no angle, kicking the ball out on the full from 40m directly in front and missing a target on another kick around the ground.
Ratugolea as well as playing forward also has featured through the ruck, though was soundly beaten in those minutes he relived Darcy.
While Esava Ratugolea had just 10 disposals, six marks (four contested), 16 hitouts and one score assist, his play was astounding. Ratugolea consistently flew at packs for contested marks, bringing down a number of them, but his ability to simply get to contests and compete was impressive. This type of play is something that AFL recruiters look for in forwards, so that is a big tick for Ratugolea. One area the big man can work on would be his overhead marking which if perfected could see him turn into a powerful AFL forward.
From Knightmare could hardly do worse then pick him with our last pick
and his thoughts on ruckman we could pick up
There are lots of ruck options late/rookie.
Sean Darcy, Jordan Sweet, Jeremy Goddard and Peter Ladhams of the u18s should be there in that range.
Rowan Marshall and Darcy Cameron as mature agers could also be considered.
Only information i can find on Sweet
Another ruckman who has developed impressively in the past few months is the 200cm Jordan Sweet, with the South Australian improving his fitness to compete strongly in the SANFL.
Sweet entered the national academy last year and travelled to America with the group in January, but has stepped up his running ability since the training camp and will lead SAâs midfield at the national carnival.
Ladhams
Peter Ladhams continued to show that he can be more than just a ruckman with two goals and one score assist, playing the relieving ruck role for Norwood.
Goddard
Jeremy Goddard is someone who showed plenty of good signs in 2015 and has begun the year well at WAFL Colts level averaging 35 hit outs per game. 2016 will be a year with plenty of choice for ruckman to be drafted- Whether we see one as high as Brodie Grundy (Pick 18) in 2012 it remains to be seen. Goddard will share the ruck duties for Western Australia with Tim English. Goddard follows up his ruckwork well around the ground, showing his physicality laying strong tackles.