Gold Coast SUNS Academy players Braydon Preuss and Matthew Dickenson were given the ultimate insight into AFL ruck craft yesterday, learning the tricks of the ruck trade by none other than Matthew Primus and Josh Fraser.

Following Wednesday’s skills session, the Gold Coast coaches delivered a crash course into centre bounces and boundary throw-ins, stopping in between each ruck contest to discuss the mechanics and techniques to the developing big men. 

With a total of 357 AFL games combined between them, the untapped teenagers couldn’t have been in better hands.

Given his physically-developed 200cm frame, 19-year-old Preuss was able to impose himself more on the contest through his supremely raw ability, while Dickenson leaner build allowed the Gold Coaster to exploit his natural athleticism. 

“What we really wanted to teach them was how they could be smarter and take advantage of their different body sizes,” Primus told SUNS TV.

“One of them was 100kgs and the other 70kgs, so they both have different strengths and weaknesses.

“Hopefully they can play some top-up footy for us in the reserves and we can keep an eye on them.”

As a young ruckman, Primus said the challenge was often learning how to gain extra leverage off the ground, whilst still being able to compete in the air against other, more seasoned bodies. 

“As young kids growing up they learn about trying to jump as high as they can, but what we want them to also learn is how they can jump into other ruckmen and still elevate high off the ground.

“That’s a unique kind of movement to be able to get high and also tap the ball into a good area.”

GC SUNS Academy Coach – Aaron Rogers, praised Primus and Fraser for their valuable contribution to the program.

“Both Matty and Josh were excellent ruckman, with Matty having also coached at AFL senior level, so to have two great coaches in their own right was a huge upside to the Academy,” Rodgers said.

“To have that link to an AFL Club, the elite training facilities and access to the best coaches in the country is a massive boost to the Academy.

“The boys will no doubt benefit from the experience,” Rogers said.