Harry Van Hattum has a point to prove.
Rucks are rarely seen as a safe bet with a top-five pick at the AFL draft.
But the gifted Northern Knights big man believes he can be the exception.
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Van Hattum believes his mobility, athleticism and ruck craft can help him make an immediate impact at AFL level – and justify a premium pick, despite clubs historically being reluctant to invest in a ruck at that point in the draft.
“Some people see taking a ruck (early) as a risky pick. But I see it as it’s pretty rare,” Van Hattum told foxfooty.com.au.
“You don’t really see many mobile and versatile ruckmen. So why not?
“I don’t see height as an issue at all, to be honest.”
Only a few clubs have been prepared to use a top-five draft pick on a ruck this century.
Harry Van Hattum of Victoria Metro celebrates a goal. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos
The Demons used Pick 3 in 2019 to take Luke Jackson, who became a premiership player two years later. Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer (Pick 1, 2007) and West Coast’s Nic Naitanui (Pick 2, 2008) are the only other rucks taken in the top five since 2000.
The Eagles used Pick 4 last year to select Cooper Duff-Tytler, although clubs viewed the 200cm prospect as more of a forward-ruck in the lead-up to the draft.
He went on to play 16 games in his debut season, including a Round 1 appearance alongside fellow first-round recruits Willem Duursma and Josh Lindsay.
Van Hattum said he believed he could have a similar impact in his first AFL season.
“I faced ‘Duff’ a few times last year and feel like I did pretty well against him. I feel like I’m a pretty similar player to him,” he said.
“Whether it’s playing ruck or forward, I think I can have a pretty big impact at whatever team that is. I definitely would be keen and think I could play pretty early.”
TIGERS AND DEMONS IN THE FRAME
Van Hattum said it was “awesome” to be regarded as one of the best open-pool prospects in the draft but added he tries “not to take too much notice of it”.
As a result of the trade period, Richmond and Melbourne now each hold two picks inside the first 14 selections, potentially allowing either club to secure Van Hattum while adding another high-end prospect in the first round.
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Richmond this month signed ex-Giant Kieren Briggs as a free agent to partner club captain and triple premiership ruck Toby Nankervis, but delisted back-up duo Samson Ryan and Oliver Hayes-Brown.
With 32-year-old Nankervis edging closer to the end of his career – and reportedly considering a move to Tasmania ahead of the Devils’ 2028 AFL entry – Van Hattum could emerge as a long-term option at Punt Road.
But Van Hattum could also appeal to Melbourne as a long-term successor to legendary Demon Max Gawn, learning from the nine-time All-Australian over the next few years before eventually taking over.
Van Hattum earlier this month at the draft combine said he’d received “a little bit more” interest from clubs with early draft picks.
“I’m not too concerned about where I go,” he said.
“Whichever club takes a chance on me, I’d love to repay that as much as I can. Whether it’s interstate or staying in Melbourne, I wouldn’t care at all.”
One scout told foxfooty.com.au Van Hattum was a “generational” prospect, pointing to his impressive skillset, hit-out craft and ability to become a fourth midfielder after ruck contests. His leap is another weapon, highlighted by his 95cm running vertical jump at this month’s combine.
Harry Van Hattum during the vertical leap test. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
‘ALWAYS BEEN THE TALLEST KID’
Van Hattum’s path to becoming a ruck has been different from that of another athletically gifted big man, All-Australian Tim English.
Before being drafted by the Western Bulldogs, English stood just below 190cm and played as an on-baller at school. A gradual growth spurt over the next three years saw him progress through the key-position ranks before passing 200cm and moving into the ruck. The natural agility and aerobic base English had developed pre-spurt ultimately made him a tantalising prospect for AFL clubs ahead of the 2016 draft.
By contrast, Van Hattum has “always been the tallest kid on the oval”.
“I’ve never really played much forward, back or anywhere else. I’ve always played ruck and been pretty lucky to have that natural athletic ability.
“I’ve just been able to develop, get in the gym and go even further.
Asked what a good game looks like for him, Van Hattum said: “Being super physical and super competitive, taking big pack marks, dominating my ruck craft and following up really well.
“That’s always been a huge natural part of my game: Being super physical and super competitive. But it’s not just in myself, I try to drive that for everyone else.”
Oliver Hayes-Brown of the Tigers and Harry Van Hattum of the AFL National Academy compete in the ruck. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Van Hattum said he analysed superstar Fremantle ruck Luke Jackson closely.
“I watch a fair bit of vision of him and his game. I’m definitely trying to implement as much as I can from what he does,” he said.
Van Hattum particularly admires Jackson’s ability to get involved in transition, becoming an extra on-baller or positioning himself down the line to take pack marks.
“A lot of ruckmen get seen as guys who tap the ball and stand there without doing much else, so I try to get involved as much as possible.”
Jackson has also thrived under the AFL’s new ruck rules in 2026, which Van Hattum believes suit his own style.
“It’s been in the Talent League too, so I’ve tried a few tricks to see what I can do with it,” he said.
“I’m more of a run-and-jump kind of ruck, so it helps me because instead of bodying opponents, I can run and jump with them.
“Also, if they jump really early, I’ll let them come over and step over the line and I’ll get a free kick. I’ve used that a few times! I’ve watched enough vision of it, so I understand it pretty well now.”
Harry Van Hattum during the agility test. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
ROLLERCOASTER YEAR EXPLAINED
Van Hattum admitted his 2026 season “had its ups and downs”.
The ups included school football, a deep run in the Talent League finals with a talent-laden Knights side and Vic Metro’s unbeaten 4-0 carnival campaign. He also described a week of training with Collingwood as part of his national academy experience – and living the life of a full-time AFL player – as “the best week I’ve ever had”.
The downs were early-season injuries – first a quad issue then Achilles bursitis – that affected his preparation for the national championships.
Van Hattum conceded he “didn’t perform the way I wanted to” at the championships, but stressed his injury-interrupted preparation was important “context” when assessing his performances.
“Not being able to play footy for a month leading into the championships wasn’t ideal,” he said.
“I went into the championships a little bit underdone and unfit … I guess that’s footy sometimes.
“I hadn’t really done much ball work or any jumping for four weeks then went straight into a high-level ruck battle against WA and two good ruck prospects. It was pretty hard.
Harry Van Hattum of Victoria Metro and Jonah Harris of the Allies contest the ruck. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos
“I’d love to replay those games, but there’s not much we can do about it now.”
Van Hattum still earned Under 18 All-Australian selection, producing an imposing 17-disposal, six-clearance performance against Vic Country in which he showcased his mobility and penetrating field kick.
He said he went into that final game for Metro with a point to prove to himself.
“I knew I belonged at that level. I wanted to go into that game knowing there was no excuse anymore and no context to put around it.
“I thought I played those first three games to build up and find my feet again then use that last game to show I could dominate and perform really well.
“It obviously takes a little bit of time to find your feet again. In those first three games, I was a little bit out of it the whole time. Finally, things started to click again in that last game and it all came together a little bit more.”
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THE PEOPLE SHAPING HIS GAME
Van Hattum credited Northern Knights coach Anthony Rocca with helping develop his forward craft and contributing to his growth off the field.
He also credited Vince ‘Vinny’ Dattoli – the father of young Swans forward Jesse Dattoli – for his guidance when taking external training sessions.
“All his training is heaps of fundamentals: Kicking, handballing, being clean below the knees and lots of marking,” Van Hattum said.
“Some of that stuff comes a little bit naturally, so it’s probably more about refining it and building from there. I’ve been with him since I was 12 or 13, so developing that over the past four or five years has been huge.”
Asked how he hoped the AFL world would be talking about him in five years’ time, Van Hattum said: “I’d love to be spoken about as that Luke Jackson or Maxy Gawn-type player. I’ll try to come in and implement that as much as I can and become the next Luke Jackson, I hope.”