Geelong has drafted former Cats VFL listed player Tom Ruggles with pick 44 in the 2015 rookie draft.

Ruggles is well known to the Cats having won the club’s VFL best & fairest in 2015. Ruggles is 23 and played mainly across half back this year. He began his VFL career with Werribee, playing 17 games and kicking two goals in three seasons with the club. Ruggles then returned to Leopold in the GFL where he helped them to the grand final and earned GFL team of the year selection.

Ruggles was outstanding in 2015, playing 18 games and earning votes in 13 games. He averaged 18 possessions and five marks. He played his TAC Cup football with the Geelong Falcons alongside team mates Billie Smedts and Cameron Delaney, finishing third in the best & fairest in 2010. He was a member of Drysdale’s senior BFL premiership team in 2009 as a 17-year old in the win over Geelong Amateurs.

Cats recruiting manager Stephen Wells said Ruggles earnt his spot on the Cats rookie list.

“Tom has earnt this opportunity with his persistence and the way he has played. It’s a great reward for him not giving up on his dream to make a list. He played well last season with our VFL team as a small defender and deserved his best & fairest.”