Roosters Ruck Race For 2020

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan has admitted he’s not settled on a starting ruck ahead of the 2020 Statewide Super League season.

With promising giant Jack Blair departing for VFL club Werribee, the Roosters – on paper – appear thin in terms of genuine options at the first bounce.

But Surjan, who is already relishing his first senior coaching opportunity, is confident he has multiple options to call up across the season.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the Roosters’ new mentor said tall forwards Alex Barns and Mitch Harvey could spend more time in the centre square.

Veteran James Craig has enjoyed an injury-free pre-season to date while youngster Josh Hart is also developing his ruck craft.

Surjan said the overall depth of North’s playing list was mush stronger than last year, which is set to cause him plenty of selection headaches in 2020.

The Roosters have an abundance of small and medium forwards, with speedsters Robbie Young and Kym Lebois returning to add to the mix of Frank Szekely, Keanu Miller and a revitalised Jake Neade and Ben Jarman.

Surjan hinted that Young may spend more time in the midfield this season as he looks to move the ball with pace, providing the engineroom with nice balance alongside tough ball-winners in vice-captains Andrew Moore and Tom Schwarz.

In defence, North also has plenty of options with teenage key backs Karl Finlay and Dyson Hilder training strongly after surprisingly being overlooked in last year’s AFL Draft period.