Fremantle ruck Lloyd Meek continued to sharpen his ruck craft in an impressive performance in Peel’s 79-point win over West Coast on Sunday at David Gray’s Arena.
The 23-year-old won the ruck battle over West Coast talls Bailey Williams and Callum Jamieson with 29 hit outs for the match.
Meek also finished with 23 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s and two tackles to his name.
It was Meek’s second game for Peel this season after playing the first four rounds for Fremantle where he averaged 13.75 hit outs and 2.75 clearances per game.
The weekend’s WAFL clash backed up Meek’s dominant ruck display against South Fremantle in Pingelly two weeks prior, where he had 31 hit outs and kicked two goals.
Speaking to 3AW Sportsday, Justin Longmuir said that Meek had gone back to Peel to further develop some of his ruck traits.
“He is definitely an improving player and I thought early in the year he was really solid in the ruck,” Longmuir told 3AW Sportsday.
“Lloyd has still got a few things to learn, especially when coming up against some of the more senior and experienced ruckman.
“(He will work on) just a bit of craft stuff in the ruck and his ability to impact around the ground which he needs to improve a little bit.”
Meek was assisted in the ruck against West Coast by fellow Freo tall Josh Treacy who finished with 12 hit outs to add to his five-goal haul for the match.
Longmuir credited Meek’s consistently strong work ethic, with a re-selection into Freo’s senior side a possibility in the near future.
“We are really happy with his development and I don’t think anyone at the club has put as much work into his footy as he does,” Longmuir said.
“He is going to be a really solid contributor down the track for us…and he has definitely shown that he can play AFL footy, so we have got one there.”
“Lloyd has definitely got that ability to follow up after the ruck contest and he has got the ability around the ground to really move.
“For him, it’s probably just about being able to position himself in consistent spots around the ground to impact.
“He has had a couple of fantastic games at the lower level and we will see how it goes for him with selection in the near future.”
