CODE switch bigman Mark Robinson could be part of Wedderburn’s solution to finding a new ruckman.
The Redbacks have lost star big man Jordan Hargreaves to North Bendigo and still have plenty of lines in the water in trying to find an experienced replacement.
However, a recruit with a rugby background and only three years’ experience playing Australian football has emerged as an option for the ruck role.
Coach Tom Metherell said Robinson, who has joined the Redbacks from West Brunswick in the VAFA, was “a big strong lad who is training really, really well.
“He’s a quick learner and he definitely has the skills to play in the ruck.”
Strongly built Robinson is about 195cm, and Metherell said he would be confident to back him in as first ruck if the club’s ongoing search proved fruitless.
“Ideally we can sign up a number one ruck and he can give some support.”
Experienced brothers Zach and Jake Pallpratt shape as crucial recruits for the Redbacks as they reunite in the North Central competition.
Their careers have intertwined over the years, with both playing for Sandhurst in the strong Bendigo league and for Benalla in the Goulburn League, where they starred.
Both are coming off premiership seasons – Zach at Sandhurst and Jake at White Hills in the Heathcote District league.
Midfielder Zach won two best-and-fairest awards at Benalla and appeared for Vic Country in AFL Victoria representative games between 2012 and 2017.
Jake, a half-back flanker, also has two best-and-fairest awards to his name at Sandhurst, has played in Vic Country representative matches, and appeared for the Murray Bushrangers in the elite under-18 competition.
He was Benalla coach in the COVID-hit 2020 and 2021 seasons. Metherell said Jake’s coaching and leadership experience would be “a huge asset” to the Redbacks, although he will not have a formal coaching role.
“Jake wanted to step back and have a run with his brother. What I have tried to build is, you don’t have to be an assistant coach to be able to speak up and speak your mind.” Another key recruit is 2014 Footscray VFL premiership player Mitch Jensen, who joins the Redbacks from Diggers Rest in the Riddell District league. A regular goalkicker, Jensen was coach of Diggers Rest this season and captained the club’s flag side in 2023. 
Returning to Wedderburn is Dane Keuken, who finished second in the reserves best-and-fairest in just seven games in 2023. He spent this season at Strathfieldsaye.
Wedderburn made the North Central preliminary final this year.