The Rise of a New Ruck Talent
Harry Van Hattum is emerging as a standout contender in the Australian Football League (AFL) draft, with the potential to redefine the role of rucks. Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift in the way rucks are perceived, moving from players who prioritise height and skill to tall, athletic individuals with on-ball capabilities. This evolution has been accelerated by recent rule changes.
Van Hattum has expressed his desire to prove that rucks can have a meaningful impact after a contest. “I just want to show that I can impact after a ruck contest,” he said. “I can become another on-baller so I want to show my ability to do that and my follow-up.”
His skills have improved over the years, particularly in terms of follow-up and kicking, which he hopes will continue to develop. In the last year’s National Draft, no pure rucks were selected, and rucks have generally fallen down the order in recent times. Clubs have preferred ball-winning midfielders, small forwards, and key-position talent, as they have proven that premierships can be won with serviceable rucks rather than star performers.
However, Van Hattum’s skillset is compelling enough to suggest he could be selected in the top five and potentially be the first open pool player chosen. He is a brawnier, more mature-bodied figure than most of his age group, with exceptional athleticism. His ability to burst away from stoppages with class and dexterity makes him a unique player, capable of opening up the game with his footwork.
Richmond is likely to hold the number one pick, and after placing bids on club-tied talents like Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane, Van Hattum should be in their sights. With Toby Nankervis expected to retire after the 2027 season, and Samson Ryan or Ollie Hayes-Brown not inspiring confidence as long-term ruck options, the Tigers are looking for a strong ruck presence.
The young core of midfielders including Sam Grlj, Sam Lalor, Sam Cumming, Taj Hotton, and Josh Smillie highlights the need for a ruck in a similar age demographic. Van Hattum’s physical attributes, such as the best running vertical jump of any Victorian prospect this year at 103cm, combined with his strength, allow him to gain first-hand access to the ball in ruck contests.
Coached by Anthony Rocca at the Northern Knights, Van Hattum has learned to use his tools and athletic traits effectively. “Having ‘Pebs’ (Anthony Rocca) there for our forward craft and ruck work has been unreal for me,” he said. “I’m fortunate to have learned off him in the last three or four years.”
Additionally, coached by Chad Wingard, Joel Selwood, and Tarkyn Lockyer at the AFL Academy, Van Hattum has shown humility and a hunger to improve throughout the program, which included a camp in New Zealand.
Van Hattum models his ruck craft on Melbourne legend Max Gawn and forward craft on Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy. His reach and leap make him well-suited to the ruck rule changes, allowing him to take advantage of these new dynamics in AFL Academy games.
“I got over Taylor Goad a few times and got some good taps to the midfielders and against Hayes-Brown it was harder because he’s a solid boy and has four to five years on me,” Van Hattum said. “I’ve got a bit of work to do there but I’m sure that will come in the next few years.”
He has also been working on his gut-running, and with the new rules, there will be fewer boundary throw-ins, requiring rucks to be more versatile. “My running ability is developing well and my style of ruck is to run and jump so I’ve loved the new rules.”
Van Hattum was best afield in his first game of 2026, combining 19 disposals with 20 hitouts and two goals, before a minor quad injury sidelined him for a fortnight ahead of the AFL Academy game.
He is currently ranked as Zero Hanger’s top open-pool prospect in the first AFL Draft Power Rankings of 2025, set to be released on May 1. Universally viewed as among the top handful of talents in the crop, Van Hattum is seen alongside Geelong’s Noah Williams, Sandringham pair Gus Teixeira and Arki Butler, South Australian Gabriel Patterson, and Gippslander Marlon Neocleous.
As one of four rucks in the AFL Academy, Van Hattum has enjoyed the opportunity to exchange notes with his contemporaries. “I definitely want to go as high as possible,” he said. “There is a lot of boys like Ethan Herbert and Benji (Van Rooyen) that have been good to learn off and having Lewis at Northern Knights is awesome.”
His key strength is his competitiveness, and he aims to showcase this across ‘Champs’ and see how he performs. “I’m going to play in a lot of different programs so I want to have a good baseline across all those programs.”
