National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie says the Crows addressed needs, and snared a local talent too good to pass up in the AFL Rookie Draft on Wednesday.

Adelaide used its first pick at No.9 to bolster its ruck division, selecting 201cm Calder Cannons ruckman Reilly O’Brien.

O’Brien, 19, shared the ruck duties at Calder this season, which allowed him to also develop as a key defender. He played on the likes of Collingwood’s top-10 father-son selection, Darcy Moore, highly-rated forward Tom Lamb and Richmond recruit Reece McKenzie.

O’Brien devoted more time to football this season after focusing on his studies last year at St Kevin’s College and missing out at the 2013 draft. He achieved a tertiary entrance score of 99.75 and is studying Biomedicine at University.

Ogilvie said the Crows had been tracking O’Brien’s progress for a few years.

“We thought Reilly was one of the best ruckmen in the TAC Cup this year,” Ogilvie said.

“The Calder Cannons had three ruckmen … so the bonus for Reilly was that he got to play in defence and add another string to his bow. In the TAC Cup Grand Final, Reilly played in defence but went into the ruck in the last quarter when Calder needed a lift and reminded us again that the ruck is his spot.

“But now, he can play forward, back and ruck. At 201cm, he could probably play on blokes like Kurt Tippett, Tom Boyd and Jon Patton if we needed him. He’s got some development to come, but he’s a big, strong kid and highly intelligent.

“He’s rapt to be coming to the Crows.”

With their second pick, the Crows were thrilled to secure Port Magpies utility Keenan Ramsey.

A star of the Under-18 National Championships, Ramsey was a surprise non-selection at the AFL National Draft on the Gold Coast last week.

Ogilvie said Adelaide was prepared to take Ramsey in the national meet.

“Keenan was on our national draft list. We would’ve picked Keenan, but unfortunately for him we didn’t have any more picks,” Ogilvie said.

“We had to try and fix the ruck situation, so we got the ruckman (O’Brien) with our first rookie pick and then crossed everything that Keenan would still be there at our second pick.

“It’s a great result for Keenan. He’s a terrific kid and we’re rapt to have him.”

Ramsey is one of five players (Jake Lever, Mitch McGovern, Harry Dear and Reilly O’Brien) over 190cm selected by the Crows across the national and rookie drafts.

Ogilvie said the skilful tall, who was the only player to record a perfect score (30/30) in the kicking test at the Draft Combine, would provide great versatility.

“Keenan played more as a defender for South Australia at the Under-18 National Championships. He played on the opposition’s big, tall forwards,” Ogilvie said.

“He actually went into the midfield at the Nationals too, and played a lot of junior footy as a forward. He’s 192cm and might grow a bit more and be key-position, but at the moment he can play third-tall back and forward, so he can swing into different positions within games.

“His versatility is his strength.”

Adelaide called Norwood wingman/half-back Anthony Wilson with its final pick at No.44.

“Willo’s had a terrific year with Norwood. He’s really improved,” Ogilvie said.

“We just don’t have that elite, high-end speed, so we’ve gone for ‘Willo’. He’s a good young man. He’s had to do it the hard way and I’m sure he’ll improve quickly when we get him here.”

After sticking to the policy of ‘best available talent’ at the National Draft, Ogilvie said the Crows predominantly addressed needs in the rookie meet.

“Ruck and speed were the two things left we had to try and address. Anthony Wilson is probably the quickest player outside the AFL. He’s got some things he needs to fix, but there’s no one quicker,” he said.

“Other than Keenan, who was in our talent order, we were really specific on needs. We wanted to try and get a developing ruckman and also get some speed in.

“We had Jono Beech rated highly as well. We really feel for Jono. He deserved a chance, but with Keenan there we just had to go with him because of the size. Jono has done everything right and we wish him all the best.”