Essendon VFL ruckman Sam Tagliabue has emerged as a chance to fill the breach left on the Bombers' senior list by Paddy Ryder, with the agile tall training with the club's main AFL group in the lead-up to the draft.



The 23-year-old has also aroused Adelaide's interest, with the Crows also seeking to add depth to their ruck stocks.



A whopping 206 centimetres, Tagliabue attended the Victorian state screening which supplemented the main draft combine in early October. His speed, agility and vertical leap numbers were all impressive.



Tagliabue joined the Bombers' VFL team in 2014, having previously played in Sydney's local competition. He played 14 games for the year, and was named in the best on five occasions, acquiring more than 50 hitouts on three occasions including 57 against Port Melbourne.



The Bombers partially addressed the issue of Ryder's departure to Port Adelaide by landing the signature of Jonathan Giles from GWS, although a spot may open for Tagliabue on the rookie list after the delisting of ruckman Fraser Thurlow.



Despite the outstanding form of Sam Jacobs, Adelaide has struggled to find substantial reserves in the position, discarding big men Angus Graham and Shaun McKernan at the end of 2014. The club has subsequently recruited ruck-forward Luke Lowden via last-minute trade from Hawthorn.

While they may lose Tagliabue, Essendon's VFL side is a strong chance to acquire delisted Geelong midfielder Jordan Schroder, with little AFL interest forthcoming in the stocky onballer. Schroder appeared just five times for the Cats' senior side over four years at the club, despite tying for the Liston Trophy in 2013, and claiming the Geelong VFL best and fairest in 2014.



Meanwhile a lack of interest from other clubs means North Melbourne will almost certainly be able to take contracted defender Cameron Delaney in the rookie draft. The injury-plagued, 22-year old was one of eight delistings at the Kangaroos, but is now set to return to the club as he bids to kick-start his AFL career following persistent toe troubles.



Elsewhere, Brisbane Lions youngster Tom Cutler signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Wednesday, tying him to the Lions until the end of 2017. A 190-centimetre utility, Cutler played seven AFL games in 2014, his first year in Brisbane. Hawthorn delisted key forward Sam Grimley, with the Hawks intending to pick up the contracted 23-year-old in the rookie draft.