2009 season:
Solid as ever at full back, Rutten continues to hold down the key defensive position. Every week he takes on the best forwards in the AFL and he continues to nullify their influence. Three times in 2009 Adelaide kept an opposition goalless in the first half, a credit to Rutten and the Crows stringent defensive unit. He was one of Adelaide’s best in the round five win against Melbourne with 30 possessions and 11 marks. He was also in the umpires votes for his effort on Lance Franklin in the round 20 win over Hawthorn. He collected a total 368 disposals, his highest in a season, which included 164 kicks, 204 handballs and 142 marks, equal highest at the club with Bernie Vince.

David Noble’s 2009 review:
“Truck is just the Rock of Gibraltar in defence. We changed the structure of how our backline performed and occasionally some of your defenders don’t fit into the structure you want to run, but Ben did a terrific job. He was consistent and reliable.”

Career:
Originally from West Adelaide, Rutten captained SA’s under-18 side in 2001 and made his SANFL league debut aged 17. He was eventually rookie-listed by the Crows before the 2002 season and then worked his way on to the senior list. Rutten, who played much of his junior football at centre half forward, kicked three goals with his first three kicks in the AFL in 2003. But he played just two AFL games in his debut season and then another nine in 2004, when he started to impress in key defensive roles. Since Neil Craig took over as Crows coach late in the 2004 season he has almost been a permanent fixture in one of the competition’s best defensive units. He earned his first All-Australian selection at full back in 2005. He has continued to be one of the best defenders in the competition, consistently taking on the AFL’s most dangerous forwards over the past few years.