'Best in the competition': AFL great's surprising call on Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek
Updated . First published at
Western Bulldogs great Nathan Brown believes Lloyd Meek could be the best ruckman in the AFL right now.
The shock call comes following Hawthorn's impressive win over GWSon Saturday night in Launceston, where Meek won 31 hit-outs, four clearances and kicked a goal.
He has had an excellent start to the season, going up against stars of the competition including Tom De Koning, Brodie Grundy and Kieren Briggs.
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Lloyd Meek in action against the Giants. Getty
"I don't think it is a big statement to say Lloyd Meek is now the number one ruckman in the competition," Brown told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"He just monstered them in this second term. They had every centre clearance bar one in the second term."
Brown pointed to Meek's ability to cover the ground at speed, working his opponents into the ground, which saw him kick a big goal in the second quarter as the Hawks mounted their comeback against the Giants.
They kicked six unanswered goals in the term to take control of the encounter.
"I tell you what, you don't want to play him as an opposition ruckman," he said.
"He's the best ruckman in the competition right now."
Darcy Cameron competes with Lloyd Meek in 2024. Getty
Hawthorn acquired Meek in 2022 in a trade with Fremantle. He was seen as a secondary element alongside a third round pick in the deal for Jaeger O'Meara.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes this is the perfect blueprint for finding your starting ruckman.
"It's amazing, they say never draft a ruckman, let another club do all the work and then take them after that, which the Hawks have done really well," Lloyd said.
