Player Watch #19 Peter Ladhams

[giantsully]

If we lose Ladhams and Grundy gets injured in the pre-season/early season, Will Green will be eaten alive in the AFL. He is so far away from being ready for senior football.

I'm in the S120 camp on this - we spent a first rounder on this kid, time to find out if he can play.

 

[MF]

Must be said that he was in an important contract year - that can often explain why a guy suddenly plays with some desperation when he hasn't typically before.

I think he'd be better off going elsewhere than sticking behind Grundy with Green nipping at his heels. If I were him, I'd be keen to get to any of Carlton, Essendon, GWS, or West Coast to have a clearer run at winning the number one ruck spot.

Yeah from his personal POV I don't think we're the best club for him to be at right now. There's every chance he's still behind Grundy for the prime of his career. Essendon would probably be the best fit for immediate game time you'd think.

 

[MF]

I'm in the S120 camp on this - we spent a first rounder on this kid, time to find out if he can play.

He's only just turned 20. Still pretty young for a ruckman to debut, let alone have an impact (which is why I don't like the idea of drafting and developing ruckmen). I think we'd be relying on McLean to do the ruck work if Ladhams leaves and Grundy gets an injury.

 

[S120]

He's only just turned 20. Still pretty young for a ruckman to debut, let alone have an impact (which is why I don't like the idea of drafting and developing ruckmen). I think we'd be relying on McLean to do the ruck worn if Ladhams leaves and Grundy gets an injury.

Frankly I'd want Green to play no matter what in 2026. Give him some 2nd ruck/forward time to spell Grundy, give him a game as a ruck with McLean to let Grundy have a rest. I'm not expecting him to set the world on fire, but you've got to give him a taste of seniors footy in 2026 to develop with. Not overload him, but give him some gametime here and there whilst he continues to develop primarily in VFL as the number one guy.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Frankly I'd want Green to play no matter what in 2026. Give him some 2nd ruck/forward time to spell Grundy, give him a game as a ruck with McLean to let Grundy have a rest. I'm not expecting him to set the world on fire, but you've got to give him a taste of seniors footy in 2026 to develop with. Not overload him, but give him some gametime here and there whilst he continues to develop primarily in VFL as the number one guy.

Circumstances permitting, i agree with this.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Dropped for the dead-rubber final game this year after being far and away our best against Geelong in that awful team performance.

Last year, it was incredible he didn't get more than one game...which was that belting by Port. Everyone could see Grundy was running on fumes from the mid-season bye onwards and Horse just kept playing him. We had top spot wrapped up, there was zero downside to giving Grundy a week or two rest to freshen up for finals.

Totally agree on what happened under Horse in 2024, everybody could see Grundy needed a couple of weeks off.

But we're in 2025, and his manager has had all of this time to look for alternate options. It's been over a month since the season ended for us. Maybe his manager is still doing work on getting him to another club? Maybe nothing will be decided/announced now until after the Skilton on Thursday night?

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Frankly I'd want Green to play no matter what in 2026. Give him some 2nd ruck/forward time to spell Grundy, give him a game as a ruck with McLean to let Grundy have a rest. I'm not expecting him to set the world on fire, but you've got to give him a taste of seniors footy in 2026 to develop with. Not overload him, but give him some gametime here and there whilst he continues to develop primarily in VFL as the number one guy.

Pick and choose which opponents so that he can be competitive. Don't sacrifice him. My greatest fear is if Grundy was to suffer a serious injury. He and McLean 50:50 does not inspire confidence.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Peter Ladhams

19

Peter Ladhams

Age

28

Ht

204cm

Wt

103kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.7

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

8.8

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.3

3star

D

21.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

12.0

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

14.6

4star

K

6.4

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.4

3star

has inked a new two-year deal to remain with the Swans.

The Swans have had the deal on the table for Ladhams since July as he looked at his future among the merry-go-round of rucks but he has locked in to stick with the club until the end of 2027.

- Callum Twomey

 

[crankygeese]

Good stuff, he was handy depth in that 23-30 range on our list, and with a 5 man bench next year should be a good part of the rotation.

 

[MF]

Probably could have got more game time and more money elsewhere so this is very good news.

 

[Nuggetz]

Eshayz. Stoked he's re-signed.

 

[Rhino5]

Meh…

 

[strauchanie59]

Will be very important for us in 2026, especially if the sub is binned and five on the bench is brought in.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Will be very important for us in 2026, especially if the sub is binned and five on the bench is brought in.

The sub is gone!

 

[Rhino5]

I get our depth is terrible and it’s only 2 years so….but forgive me if I find it hard to generate any enthusiasm about this signing. To me the fact that Ladhams is generally seen as a critical person to retain says a lot about the state of our list.

Maybe I’ve been watching different games but to me, Ladhams has shown over a decent period of time that he’s an average to below average AFL player, probably even just a genuine list clogger, even at a position of relative need. I hope I’m wrong but IMO part of the reason our list (and I know I’m more negative than others) is where it is might be due to re-signing average players. Some of that is probably out of necessity, since it’s hard to attract free agents…but still.

 

[Bloods86]

I get our depth is terrible and it’s only 2 years so….but forgive me if I find it hard to generate any enthusiasm about this signing. To me the fact that Ladhams is generally seen as a critical person to retain says a lot about the state of our list.

Maybe I’ve been watching different games but to me, Ladhams has shown over a decent period of time that he’s an average to below average AFL player, probably even just a genuine list clogger, even at a position of relative need. I hope I’m wrong but IMO part of the reason our list (and I know I’m more negative than others) is where it is might be due to re-signing average players. Some of that is probably out of necessity, since it’s hard to attract free agents…but still.

He's important, like many backup rucks on lists, because injuries happen and throwing in KPFs or kids doesn't really cut it. Most teams don't just have a Grundy level ruck waiting around, well except for Melbourne a few years back obviously.

Ladhams has been doing well in the VFL, seems to have had a mindset change in the last 2 seasons. He'd impressed as solo ruck a few years back while Hickey was down and he's a solid ruck if Brodie is unavailable.

 

[Big Blood]

I enjoy his old-school style, the mullet and the Laddo Lotto at every set shot

 

[KingV23]

I enjoy his old-school style, the mullet and the Laddo Lotto at every set shot

And then turning your head 70 to 90 degrees to the left or right as you watch the ball sail further and further away from the big sticks Nah but in all seriousness, I am happy with his re-signing.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I get our depth is terrible and it’s only 2 years so….but forgive me if I find it hard to generate any enthusiasm about this signing. To me the fact that Ladhams is generally seen as a critical person to retain says a lot about the state of our list.

Maybe I’ve been watching different games but to me, Ladhams has shown over a decent period of time that he’s an average to below average AFL player, probably even just a genuine list clogger, even at a position of relative need. I hope I’m wrong but IMO part of the reason our list (and I know I’m more negative than others) is where it is might be due to re-signing average players. Some of that is probably out of necessity, since it’s hard to attract free agents…but still.

I'm a little biased as I love the big crazy lug, but apart from that, I'm very happy we have been able to re-sign him simply as insurance if Grundy goes down. Whilst he's not on the same level as Grundy as a ruck, he's a very good backup and I think every team needs a good backup ruckman. If we lost the pistol, we'd really only have a very green Green.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Official!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Official!

Happy about this. Capable understudy and not having to recruit and settle in a new player.

 

[Jack2Jack]

Outside of beating Stanley (and Papley could probably beat Stanley in the ruck lets be real) I don't know if he's ever played a better than ok game for us....but suddenly what looked like a delisted 12 months ago is important depth given the state of our list especially with Buller leaving....which is the concern to me, that our KP stocks on the list are in such a state that this is a signing we needed genuinely to do.

Anyway here's hoping he's a late bloomer that suddenly spikes and plays good footy for the next 2 years and we're not just wasting a list spot.
There's seems to be a feel amongst afl industry that the extra bench spots means play 2 rucks, I'd question why though. The second ruck still needs to be able to play somewhere else or why waste the spot. I'm hoping we're using that extra spot on a more dynamic player than a ruck.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Outside of beating Stanley (and Papley could probably beat Stanley in the ruck lets be real) I don't know if he's ever played a better than ok game for us....but suddenly what looked like a delisted 12 months ago is important depth given the state of our list especially with Buller leaving....which is the concern to me, that our KP stocks on the list are in such a state that this is a signing we needed genuinely to do.

Anyway here's hoping he's a late bloomer that suddenly spikes and plays good footy for the next 2 years and we're not just wasting a list spot.
There's seems to be a feel amongst afl industry that the extra bench spots means play 2 rucks, I'd question why though. The second ruck still needs to be able to play somewhere else or why waste the spot. I'm hoping we're using that extra spot on a more dynamic player than a ruck.

Grundy played his best footy when his ToG was reduced from 85% to 75% early in the season. Made a big difference to his longevity IMO.
The two permanent tall forwards will each spend around 15% on the bench. So the second ruck will spend around 25% rucking and 30% or so as a relieving key forward. Perhaps 25-35% as a third tall forward. This is where the argument of McLean vs Ladhams comes in - 25% ruck vs 60% forward.
Given our shortage of KPFs I'm not in favour of using Amartey or McDonald as the second ruck.
Choose your poison.

 

[BarneyBent]

I wonder if the confirmation of a 5 man bench had anything to do with the resigning. Possible we've indicated we'll be playing two rucks next year and do Ladhams is happy to stay.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I wonder if the confirmation of a 5 man bench had anything to do with the resigning. Possible we've indicated we'll be playing two rucks next year and do Ladhams is happy to stay.

Also possibly no-one made a better offer.