Adelaide’s priority of adding another ruckman to its stocks has been achieved through the AFL rookie draft.

A far-reaching search for another promising tall led the Crows to select 201cm Calder Cannons ruckman/defender Reilly O’Brien with their first pick at No 9.

Adelaide, which retained Jake Kelly and Jack Osborn as rookies for 2015, then pounced on South Australian under 18 defender Keenan Ramsey at pick 27 and Norwood speedster Anthony Wilson at 44.

O’Brien, 19, has been watched closely by the Crows this year at TAC Cup and VFL level. A biomedicine student at Melbourne University, he played as either a ruckman or key defender this year.

Ramsey, from Port Lincoln, boarded this year at Sacred Heart College this year and played a few reserves games with Port Adelaide Magpies among his State under18 and school commitments.

At 192cm, he has played as a forward but was used successfully in defence in the national championships. Ramsey, 18, registered the only perfect score in the goalkicking test at the draft combine in October.

Wilson, 22, was a late starter to league football but his speed and run stood out this year with 2014 premiers Norwood.

Former Crow Shaun McKernan was one of a handful of delisted players to earn another chance through the rookie draft.  The ruckman/forward was selected by Essendon at pick 12.

Delisted Carlton wingman Kane Lucas will return home to Perth after being taken by West Coast, Port Adelaide selected Nathan Krakouer and St Kilda reclaimed Ahmed Saad.

The pre-season draft was nearly a non-event. Only Carlton opted to use a pick, selecting Jason Tutt (from the Western Bulldogs).