Callum Sinclair

A mature-age recruit who had to ply his trade in both the VFL with Port Melbourne and the WAFL with Subiaco before getting his chance, Callum Sinclair was drafted by West Coast with pick 12 in the 2013 Rookie Draft. Initially used as a depth player, he established himself in the Eagles' best 22 by 2015, forming a formidable ruck tandem with Nic Naitanui that propelled the club to a Grand Final appearance that year. His ability to cover ground and present as a marking target up forward made him a valuable structural asset, but following the 2015 season, he was involved in a high-profile straight swap trade for Sydney premiership wingman Lewis Jetta, as the Swans sought to replenish their ruck stocks following the retirement of Mike Pyke.

Upon arriving in Sydney, Sinclair became a central figure in the Swans' midfield setup, often shouldering the number one ruck responsibility due to injuries to teammates Kurt Tippett and Sam Naismith. His most consistent campaign came in 2018, where he played every game and finished fourth in the Bob Skilton Medal, lauded for his durability and contest work. While he lacked the explosive athleticism of some modern ruckmen, Sinclair relied on smart positioning, strong overhead marking, and a high work rate to compete against premier opponents. In his final seasons, persistent injuries and the recruitment of Tom Hickey and Peter Ladhams saw him pushed to the fringes of selection, and he retired at the end of 2022 as a highly respected figure who carved out a commendable career after being overlooked in multiple drafts.