Tall order to find a better Suns recruit
FORMER All-Australian ruckman Jeff White says Jarrod Witts has had the biggest on-field influence of any player recruited by the Suns outside of the draft in recent memory.
The former Fremantle and Melbourne ruckman was full of praise for Witts who has produced a breakthrough season since arriving from Collingwood at the end of last year.
Witts has become the Suns preferred ruckman in a season where he has rivalled some of the AFL’s best big men while playing all 14 games.
White said the 24-yearold’s impact on the field was greater than any signing outside of the annual draft in recent years and believed the 209cm player could be the Suns’ main man for years.
“I’d certainly say over the last two or three years (that he’s been the best recruit),” White said.
“He has adapted really well and certainly brought in a level of consistency.
“It’s been a great year for him so far and it’s good to see (Gold Coast) have been able to secure a consistent ruckman.
“Over the last few years they have had Tom Nichols or Zac Smith and Dan Currie. Now they have got a genuine big man in there that can be there for a number of years.”
The Gold Coast-based football identity, who was the ruck coach at the Suns in 2011 and 2012, said Witts’ versatility at stoppages, body positioning and work around the ground had been at the forefront of his success after spending the last couple of years stuck behind Brodie Grundy at the Pies.
“I’ve been really impressed with his ability to change it up in the ruck at the centre bounces to provide multiple options,” White said.
“Wittsy has been able to throw it behind him, push it forward or hit it to the left or right and it just shows his confidence but also his versatility to be able to provide multiple options for his on-ballers.
“Also his positioning with his bodywork at stoppages. He’s such a big unit and hard to jump over but it’s also timing. With rucking you can get to a position too early and someone can step around you.
“Then you look at around the ground. There has been times where they use him through the middle. The majority of the time he has been able to kick and deliver it really well.
“The players up field have got confidence to go with him and let him kick. It’s been a really outstanding year for him.”
Witts said he was happy with where his game was at but was adamant there was a lot of development still in him.
“I’ve been able to have a fairly consistent year,” Witts said.
“There are things I’m still trying to work on and improve on but I just try and match it with those top ruckman in the competition.”