Benji van Rooyen climbs draft boards as 203cm ruck phenom
Benji van Rooyen, a 203-centimetre ruckman, has risen sharply on AFL draft boards after winning All-Australian honours at the under-18 carnival.
Benji van Rooyen is climbing recruiters' draft boards as a dominant ruck prospect in the top-age draft year. The 203-centimetre ruck plays senior football for Claremont in the WAFL and has established himself as an old-fashioned tap ruckman.
Benji van Rooyen won All-Australian honours in the ruck at the under-18 carnival, matching up evenly against potential top-five pick Harry van Hattum. Van Rooyen said watching his older brother Jacob adapt to the game and kick 42 goals for Melbourne this year has given him confidence.
Jacob's reinvention has inspired Benji's own adaptation to the new ruck rules introduced in 2026. Benji has also played senior WAFL football alongside his brother Sam.
He said he watches Melbourne captain Max Gawn closely to study the impact a ruck can have around the ground. Clubs believe he is among the best rucks in this year's pool and expect him to join his older brother on an AFL list.
- 203 centimetres
- Height
- Claremont (WAFL)
- Club
- 42 for Melbourne in 2026
- Brother Jacob's goals
- Harry van Hattum at under-18 carnival
- Competing against
Why it mattersTwo van Rooyen brothers on AFL lists in the same year would be rare and reflects the strength of both players' 2026 campaigns.
AustraliaAustralian AFL followers will likely see both van Rooyen brothers drafted in the 2026 pool, adding to the family's standing in the game.
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