From Snow Dog to Swan for Ronke

It has been four days of celebration at the Snake Pit with 2015 premiership player, Ben Ronke, joining former teammate, Mitch Hannan, in the AFL system after he was picked up by the Sydney Swans in yesterday’s Rookie Draft.

The Swans took the hard-running midfielder at pick No. 17 after he claimed the Calder Cannons Best and Fairest award this year.

Ronke was an integral part of the Snow Dogs’ line-up in 2015 and helped his side claim the William Buck Premier flag in a thriller against Old Trinity. He played 23 games in Under 19 Premier throughout 2014 and 2015 before debuting in the seniors.

According to Leader journalist, Tim Michell, there were several clubs looking at Ronke in 2016.

“I thought Port Adelaide and Essendon were my main two chances,” Ronke told Michell.

“I spoke to Sydney briefly, it would have been a couple of months now.

“It’s definitely a surprise.”

Hannan will join Melbourne after they selected him with pick No. 46 in Friday night’s AFL National Draft.