Gippsland Power defender Xavier Ladbrook has highlighted how his relationship with Melbourne SSP pickup Paddy Cross has given him confidence he knows what it takes to reach the next level.
Cross was a surprise selection from Melbourne's VFL affiliate, Casey, in pre-season following Steven May's retirement and went on to play 11 AFL games in 2026.
Ladbrook's and Cross' Dads played footy together and both hail from the same local club, Nar Nar Goon, with Ladbrook also leaning on Cross during a week training with the Dees in pre-season as part of the AFL Academy.
“I feel like last year I didn't really know fully how much it took but I'm good family friends with Paddy Cross and saw the hard work he did in pre-season and he was lucky enough to get onto a list after three years which showed it's not always talent which gets you there, it's hard work,” Ladbrook told Zero Hanger.
"I've looked up to him a little bit as well so he's been a good role model for me.
“He's a hard worker. He's had a lot of injuries and has never complained so that's taught me about the importance of never giving up and grinding.”
Ladbrook is expected to be selected in the second round of the National Draft next month, after which he will likely be given at least a full season to develop in the VFL given his raw frame.
The aggressive defender still has great scope with his physical development but has put on eight kilograms of muscle this year allowing him to compete better.
That was on show in a best afield performance against Richmond VFL where he nullified more seasoned opponents after a learning experience the previous week against North Melbourne's Matt Whitlock.
“I had one of my best games as a key defender. It gave me a fair bit of confidence going back to Power knowing I could match it with a VFL side so I should be able to do it in the Talent League which helped me play some good footy back at the Power,” Ladbrook said.
“The aggression is something I worked on throughout the year. Last year it wasn't there so I wanted to show everyone what I could do. I did a lot of work with (coach Kris Pendlebury) at Power around my marking and kicking with Clancy Snell.
“It's been great working with Clancy. I've known him (since I was 15). We know we're two of the better key defenders so we push each other to get better. He's helped me with my intercepting because he is excellent with the way he intercepts.”
Following that Academy game, Ladbrook's form fluctuated. Thrown around positionally for Vic Country and Gippsland which both required key-position support in the ruck and attack, it took until the Talent League finals for him to rediscover his mojo.
He was arguably the best performed player in the last fortnight of the season, though, mixing one-on-one strength and shrewd intercepting with an ambitious mindset to generate counterattack when he got the footy.
“"I'm so happy he's just been settled in that (defensive) spot; he's been thrown all over the ground, but for him it's trusting his aerial presence and having an aggressive mindset in the air – that's when he's at his best," coach Kris Pendlebury said.
Ladbrook travels more than an hour per day to school each day Lowanna College, which has become a Gippsland footy factory in recent years, producing AFL players, Alix Tauru, Tom Matthews and Bailey Humphrey, among others.
The school's sports academy has propelled Ladbrook's footy since he started attending four years ago and equipped him with the necessary tools to put him on the radar.
“Being able to compete across four quarters of big games was really good. Every time the ball came in I had a lot of confidence,” Ladbrook said.
“One-on-one defending has improved this year as I have put on a bit more size. Last year I was more reliant on intercepting.
“There is still a lot more physical development to go – if I want to play on the good key forwards I need to put a bit more size on and my aggression was a big focus this year. Putting more size on while keeping my athleticism is the next step. If I can do that, I will be a dangerous matchup.”
