COLLINGWOOD has bolstered its ruck stocks by completing a trade for young Brisbane big man Cameron Wood.
The Magpies gave up their first pick in the AFL’s national draft, No.14 overall, in exchange for the 20-year-old.
Wood, 204cm, has played 16 games for the Lions over two seasons and was a Rising Star nominee this year.
But he faced a battle for opportunity at Brisbane, behind the club’s leading ruckman Jamie Charman and exciting teenager Matthew Leuenberger.
Collingwood had been keen to provide more support for its No.1 ruckman Josh Fraser, after being thrashed in the ruck in its narrow preliminary final loss to Geelong, when Fraser was out injured.
"It’s terrific to have Cameron on board," Magpies coach Mick Malthouse said.
"He’s a young ruckman that has been in the system for three years, he’s played second fiddle to some very good ruckmen up in Brisbane, and we feel that under Josh, he will develop quickly into a very good ruckman.
"At 204cm, he’s our tallest player, which gives us the opportunity to get our hand to the football. We’ve been under a bit of pressure, as no doubt everyone is aware.
"The boys have tried their hardest in the middle, but sometimes when you’re giving away inches and kilos, it’s difficult to get to the ball."
AAP
Source: foxsports.com.au
