O'Keeffe

The Carlton Football Club bolstered its ruck depth with the signing of Hudson O’Keeffe as part of the 2023 pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).

Standing at over two metres tall, O’Keeffe’s has an impressive vertical leap, which saw him average over 21 hitouts per game at NAB League level for the Oakleigh Chargers. His ground-level prowess makes the big man such a promising athlete, as well as impressing with his speed and agility. O’Keeffe’s performances with the Chargers saw him feature for Vic Metro in the 2022 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he was named one of the team’s best players in the carnival-clinching game against Vic Country in 2022. Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said the Club looked forward to seeing the 18-year-old grow as a developing option in Carlton’s ruck brigade. “Hudson impressed us with his ability to not only win hitouts, but also get the ball away effectively from stoppages through his physicality and competitiveness – all strengths we think will add to an exciting mix in our rucks,” Austin said. “Hudson will work closely with our ruck coach Matthew Kreuzer as he gets to work, building and improving his ruck craft. “We’re also keen to make him a more well-rounded player which will come over time, so we’ll invest in his development and we’re thrilled to have him as part of the Blues.” The Club has also placed Sam Philp on the inactive list, leaving one list spot available which can be filled before the SSP deadline next Wednesday or at the mid-season draft. - Carlton Media.

The number one ruck at both Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro, Hudson O'Keeffe is a player with plenty of upside, but also plenty to work on after a solid top-age year. O'Keeffe is a ruck who despite standing at 202cm, often does the ground level work better than the aerial contests. He is fantastic at leaping and winning the ruck taps - he averaged 21.7 hitouts per game at NAB League level - but still has a lot to work on around the ground. O'Keeffe is known for not just winning the hitouts, but pulling it down and throwing it on the boot forward, gaining some much needed clearance from congestion. With a 2.9-second 20m sprint, a player of his size has rare athleticism that clubs will keep an eye on, and he can clearly not only dominate the hitouts themselves, but have the confidence to take the ball and boot it forward, often laying follow-up tackles as well. In saying all that, there is a bit to work on with O'Keeffe. For starters, his aerial work is the major improvement, with the ruck averaging less than a mark per game - and just one at the national carnival - and in fact winning more free kicks than taking marks. He is also a low production player, proving a standout ruck but piecing together the rest.

At the end of the 2026 season, Hudson O'Keefe requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs. He was involved in a 5-club mega trade that saw him being traded to the Western Bulldogs for Port Adelaide's 2028 Round 4 pick.

Original clubs; Oakleigh Chargers (TAC), Camberwell Sharks JFC / Camberwell High.