Cain Ackland
Encyclopedia
Cain Ackland is an Australian rules football
player formerly in the Australian Football League
.
He was drafted by Port Adelaide
in the second round of the 1999 AFL National Draft. He played only 12 games in 2001, after not playing for three seasons, he was delisted at the end of the 2004 season.
The Saints, who had a shortage of quality ruckman
, especially following the departure of Trent Knobel
, awarded Ackland the second chance by selecting him in the second round of the 2004 AFL National Draft. He played 22 games during the 2005 season and quickly became a regular first team member of the Saints. He quickly earned the Rex Hunt
nickname "The Street" in his commentary, in reference to the St Kilda nightspot Acland Street. Although his start to the 2006 season was far from his best, he has gained plenty of respect as he gave his all although he was out-sized by most of his opponents.
Out of contract with St Kilda, Ackland joined Carlton
in 2007, with Carlton using the first pick in the pre-season draft
to secure him.http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20652883%255E20322,00.html. Ackland, whom St Kilda reportedly sought to retain, rejected the Saints' two year offer, accepting a three year deal with the Blues.
In his first season with the club, Ackland assumed the top ruck position. While serviceable in the role, he often struggled to compete with the league's other top ruckmen, and was briefly dropped on two occasions. By the start of 2008, Ackland was not considered amongst Carlton's top ruck selections, and struggled for regular selection, playing only one game. He moved to the forward-line at Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
, where he kicked several bags of more than six goals throughout the year, but could not get back into the senior team. At the end of the 2008 AFL season, Ackland was delisted.
Ackland returned to South Australia in 2009, and has since played for North Adelaide in the SANFL.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player formerly in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
He was drafted by Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
in the second round of the 1999 AFL National Draft. He played only 12 games in 2001, after not playing for three seasons, he was delisted at the end of the 2004 season.
The Saints, who had a shortage of quality ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
, especially following the departure of Trent Knobel
Trent Knobel
Trent Knobel is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Knobel, a ruckman originally from the Gold Coast, was recruited to the AFL in his home state with the Brisbane Lions onto their rookie list. He made his debut in 2000 after a rookie elevation...
, awarded Ackland the second chance by selecting him in the second round of the 2004 AFL National Draft. He played 22 games during the 2005 season and quickly became a regular first team member of the Saints. He quickly earned the Rex Hunt
Rex Hunt
Rex James Hunt is an Australian television and radio personality, and a former Australian rules football player. He is an Australian rules football commentator, currently on the 1116 SEN radio station with son in law Lee Raynor conducting a program called Off The Hook. He is better known around...
nickname "The Street" in his commentary, in reference to the St Kilda nightspot Acland Street. Although his start to the 2006 season was far from his best, he has gained plenty of respect as he gave his all although he was out-sized by most of his opponents.
Out of contract with St Kilda, Ackland joined Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in 2007, with Carlton using the first pick in the pre-season draft
2007 AFL Draft
The 2007 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2007/08 Australian Football League off-season. These were trade week, the National Draft, the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft.- Trades :...
to secure him.http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20652883%255E20322,00.html. Ackland, whom St Kilda reportedly sought to retain, rejected the Saints' two year offer, accepting a three year deal with the Blues.
In his first season with the club, Ackland assumed the top ruck position. While serviceable in the role, he often struggled to compete with the league's other top ruckmen, and was briefly dropped on two occasions. By the start of 2008, Ackland was not considered amongst Carlton's top ruck selections, and struggled for regular selection, playing only one game. He moved to the forward-line at Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
Northern Bullants
Northern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
, where he kicked several bags of more than six goals throughout the year, but could not get back into the senior team. At the end of the 2008 AFL season, Ackland was delisted.
Ackland returned to South Australia in 2009, and has since played for North Adelaide in the SANFL.