Former Western Bulldogs star Nathan Brown has boldly put forward the idea that Lloyd Meek could be the premier ruckman in the AFL at present. This surprising assertion follows Meek’s standout performance during Hawthorn’s recent victory over GWS, where he chalked up an impressive 31 hit-outs, four clearances, and even scored a goal.
Meek has had a stellar beginning to the season, taking on established competition heavyweights such as Tom De Koning, Brodie Grundy, and Kieren Briggs. Commenting on Meek’s performance in the match, Brown remarked on his dominance during the second quarter, where Meek was instrumental in ensuring his team secured nearly every centre clearance. He highlighted how Meek’s speed and stamina allowed him to exhaust his opponents, culminating in a crucial goal that significantly contributed to the Hawks’ resurgence in the game, where they scored six unanswered goals to seize control.
“I don’t think it’s far-fetched to say that Lloyd Meek may now be the best ruckman in the competition,” Brown shared on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. He indicated that Meek’s current form presents a real challenge for any opposition ruckman, emphasising, “You don’t want to be pitted against him.”
Hawthorn’s acquisition of Meek in a 2022 trade with Fremantle has proven to be a savvy move, as he was initially considered a supplementary player in the deal involving Jaeger O’Meara. Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd noted that this approach exemplifies a successful strategy for recruiting a starting ruckman: “It’s remarkable; they say never draft a ruckman, let another club do all the hard work and then take them after that, which the Hawks have executed brilliantly.”
Overall, Meek’s ascent in the ranks of AFL ruckmen could reshape teams’ strategies moving forward, particularly given his effectiveness in contested situations and ability to influence the game beyond basic hit-out statistics. With his notable achievements so far this season, expectations are high for his continued development and impact on the sport.