Kyle Hartigan, left, defends on Cameron Mooney in a VFL match. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: Herald Sun
A YEAR on from watching Phil Davis follow Nathan Bock out of the exit lounge, Adelaide's key defensive stocks are looking fully replenished.
The Crows added VFL backman Kyle Hartigan with their sole selection in yesterday's AFL Rookie Draft, after selecting fellow key defender Sam Siggins in the national draft.
With Ben Rutten nearing the end of his career, the Crows will bank on a mix of Hartigan, Siggins, Sam Shaw, Luke Thompson and Andy Otten developing into long-term partners for emerging star Daniel Talia.
At 194cm and 93kgs and with three seasons of senior football under his belt, 21-year-old Hartigan has the potential to step in and play immediately next year if injury or form slumps strike.
A highly rated junior prospect, Hartigan earnt AIS selection as a 17-year-old and captained TAC Cup side Western Jets.
But he was overlooked in his draft year and has spent the past three years at Werribee honing his game under former Western Bulldogs midfielder Scott West.
"In some of those 18th years there's high expectations," Crows list manager David Noble said.
"Some of the guys are still growing and maybe don't look as accomplished as they did in their 17th year and for whatever reason their footy is a little bit off.
"But to his credit he's gone back and worked extremely hard to not give up."
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Hartigan, a favourite of Melbourne-based Crows scout Steve McCrystal, eventually earnt his opportunity by showing an ability to play on forwards of all sizes.
He has held his own in match-ups against James Podsiadly, Tom Hawkins, Matthew Bate, Jayden Post and Brendan Fevola in the past two years and played senior state football this season.
"He's played on quicks, he's played on mediums, he's played on talls," Noble said.
"Siggins, we know, is a longer-term prospect, but Hartigan is one, if opportunity creates itself, who could step in and play AFL footy next year. We're pretty happy to get him."
The Crows completed the process of returning Nick Joyce to their list yesterday by selecting him in the preseason draft.
Noble praised the attitude of the youngster, who had to be delisted because of a technicality that saw Kurt Tippett remain on Adelaide's list longer than the club wanted.
"Nick's handled himself extremely well and shown maturity beyond his years," Noble said.
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