RUTHERGLEN'S 2008 AFL premiership hero Robert Campbell was the big surprise in today's rookie and preseason drafts which otherwise went to script.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Read our in-depth interview with new Demon Robert Campbell in tomorrow's The Border Mail.
The Gold Coast Suns used their first pick in the preseason draft to pick up Nathan Ablett, reuniting the 2007 premiership forward with superstar brother Gary Ablett Jnr.
As suspected, Collingwood reject John Anthony was selected by Fremantle, Hawthorn selected ex-Melbourne veteran Cameron Bruce and Richmond took former Essendon midfielder Bachar Houli.
But amid the expected changes, Robert Campbell's move to Melbourne was one of the big surprises.
Campbell, who manned the ruck in Hawthorn's 2008 premiership but spent most of 2009 filling holes in defence, retired from AFL football last year because of a degenerative knee injury.
However, his knee made a surprise recovery this year, allowing Campbell, 28, to play a handful of games for Box Hill in the VFL.
He was also a ruck coach at Hawthorn during 2010.
Campbell played 116 games for Hawthorn after being picked up in the 2000 draft.
Melbourne already has one of the top ruckman in the competition in Mark Jamar.
