Fort holds up against the best

On recruiters radars since being thrown in the deep end against Brad Ottens and Peter Street for local club South Barwon

Darcy Fort takes on mum Caroline Dickins in a backyard game of basketball. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Darcy Fort confronted Brad Ottens in the Geelong Football League earlier this year, AFL recruiters took notice.

The gangly 203cm Geelong Falcons ruckman was a relative unknown coming into the season but has developed in a hurry.

Against Ottens he gave away considerable bulk and experience, but heads turned as Fort, 19, held his own against the three-time AFL premiership great.

"I was pretty nervous coming up against him, but I just tried to do my best around the ground," he said.

Ottens congratulated Fort on his game and things have progressed rapidly since.

Regarded by some astute judges as the best ruckman in the TAC Cup by the end of the season, Fort has a well-rounded game for a player of his size.

He has earned kudos for his follow-up work, willingness to tackle and tenacity around the ground.

He averaged 10 disposals, 3.5 marks, 26 hitouts and 3.4 tackles in his 10 TAC Cup matches.

Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said Fort had enormous upside.

"He competes very hard and he is very courageous, so he will stand back in front of a leading forward to spoil the ball," Turner said.

"And he gets a lot of the ball for his position.

"He has good decision-making skills and, athletically, he has great potential to improve."

Fort is likely to find a home between picks 40 and 60 in Thursday's national draft.

St Kilda, North Melbourne and Richmond are in the market for a young, developing ruckman.

Turner said the AFL's new ruck rules, preventing talls from wrestling at the contest, would weigh in Fort's favour.

"AFL clubs want to select ruckmen who can jump over each other and get first hands to the ball," he said.

"That suits him."

THE DARCY FORT FILE

AGE: 19

HEIGHT: 203cm

WEIGHT: 85kg

FROM: Geelong Falcons

POSITION: Ruckman

PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 40-50

IN THE MIX: Saints (picks 41&44), Kangaroos (58)

PLAYS LIKE: Ben McEvoy

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