Draft primer: Western Bulldogs
http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69930
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Picks: 14 (Ayce Cordy, father-son selection), 31, 32
Departures:
Andrew McDougall, Farren Ray, Peter Street, Scott West, Gavin Hughes (rookie)
Where's the club at?
The Bulldogs are in quite a good position, having come close to a grand final berth this season following after a 2007 in which they failed to make the finals. They have a list that is in good shape across all lines, although a ready-made tall forward and another key backman to bolster defensive stocks would help. Overall, the list is at a good age and there are plenty of big goalkickers coming through the ranks, so the club would be pretty satisfied with where it currently sits.
Needs:
With a sound midfield, the Dogs could use another tall key position player to boost stocks both up forward and down back. The side's continuing lack of a major goalkicker remains an issue, although the emergence of players like Jarrad Grant, Jarrad Boumann and new father-son selection Ayce Cordy could yet solve that problem.
Down the other end, a tall backman could strengthen the Dogs' defence after a year in which they were badly hurt by injury. Rodney Eade wasn't counting on Tom Williams to have to battle his body all year, nor was he ready for options Andrejs Everitt and Cameron Wight to have so-so seasons. Brian Lake and the shorter Dale Morris and Ryan Hargrave were the consistent options, but they need more support.
A versatile big man will be on the Dogs' agenda this year – again – just to ensure those deficiencies don't come up again in coming seasons.
Recent drafts:
Last year, the Bulldogs went for a mixture of players and picked up talls in Grant and Boumann, midfielders Callan Ward and Sam Reid, forward Guy O'Keefe, and a "smokey project player" in Easton Wood. They also picked up former Crows Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson, and Geelong's Tim Callan. The year before, they recycled Jason Akermanis and McDougall, and topped up with a trio of indigenous players in Brennan Stack, Josh Hill and Malcolm Lynch, and potential defenders Everitt and Paul O'Shea.
Chance of taking recycled players:
Unlikely. The Dogs have just two live picks in this draft owing to Cordy already taking up their first selection and the Ray deal seeing them lose their third-round selection. All this sees them with both their picks in the early 30s, which will leave the club likely to choose the best-available young tall in an attempt to strengthen the side for future years.
What recruiting and football partnerships manager Simon Dalrymple says:
"We're looking for some height. It's difficult to know who will still be around at that stage, but I know Scott and his team have been working really hard over the last couple of weeks and I think they've got a fair idea of who could be available . There are certainly some key position boys and ruckmen, and some midfielders around, but I think if the quality key positions are available, we'll probably go for them.
"A key forward has always been a bit of an issue; to trade one in you have to give up something and it's a big issue to develop from within, which is what we're trying to do. It's not too bad down. You've got Everitt, Lake, Williams looking long term … O'Shea is one that we want to develop in that area. You might look to add another one down there, but I think the key forward is an area we're a bit deficient in."
We say:
The Bulldogs will enter the draft as the last club with an active pick, having already dedicated their first to Cordy. Young Ayce will cost them selection 14, and considering the tall youngster was touted as a potential top 10 draftee, that is considered a bargain.
With their picks back to back and late in the second round, the Dogs will have to wait to see who falls through to their selections but will almost certainly punt on youth in favour of experience. They could look to Tasmanian tall forward Aaron Cornelius or even top age rebounder Steven Gaertner from the Dandenong Stingrays, if both last that long.
http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69930
Picks: 14 (Ayce Cordy, father-son selection), 31, 32
Departures:
Andrew McDougall, Farren Ray, Peter Street, Scott West, Gavin Hughes (rookie)
Where's the club at?
The Bulldogs are in quite a good position, having come close to a grand final berth this season following after a 2007 in which they failed to make the finals. They have a list that is in good shape across all lines, although a ready-made tall forward and another key backman to bolster defensive stocks would help. Overall, the list is at a good age and there are plenty of big goalkickers coming through the ranks, so the club would be pretty satisfied with where it currently sits.
Needs:
With a sound midfield, the Dogs could use another tall key position player to boost stocks both up forward and down back. The side's continuing lack of a major goalkicker remains an issue, although the emergence of players like Jarrad Grant, Jarrad Boumann and new father-son selection Ayce Cordy could yet solve that problem.
Down the other end, a tall backman could strengthen the Dogs' defence after a year in which they were badly hurt by injury. Rodney Eade wasn't counting on Tom Williams to have to battle his body all year, nor was he ready for options Andrejs Everitt and Cameron Wight to have so-so seasons. Brian Lake and the shorter Dale Morris and Ryan Hargrave were the consistent options, but they need more support.
A versatile big man will be on the Dogs' agenda this year – again – just to ensure those deficiencies don't come up again in coming seasons.
Recent drafts:
Last year, the Bulldogs went for a mixture of players and picked up talls in Grant and Boumann, midfielders Callan Ward and Sam Reid, forward Guy O'Keefe, and a "smokey project player" in Easton Wood. They also picked up former Crows Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson, and Geelong's Tim Callan. The year before, they recycled Jason Akermanis and McDougall, and topped up with a trio of indigenous players in Brennan Stack, Josh Hill and Malcolm Lynch, and potential defenders Everitt and Paul O'Shea.
Chance of taking recycled players:
Unlikely. The Dogs have just two live picks in this draft owing to Cordy already taking up their first selection and the Ray deal seeing them lose their third-round selection. All this sees them with both their picks in the early 30s, which will leave the club likely to choose the best-available young tall in an attempt to strengthen the side for future years.
What recruiting and football partnerships manager Simon Dalrymple says:
"We're looking for some height. It's difficult to know who will still be around at that stage, but I know Scott
"A key forward has always been a bit of an issue; to trade one in you have to give up something and it's a big issue to develop from within, which is what we're trying to do. It's not too bad down
We say:
The Bulldogs will enter the draft as the last club with an active pick, having already dedicated their first to Cordy. Young Ayce will cost them selection 14, and considering the tall youngster was touted as a potential top 10 draftee, that is considered a bargain.
With their picks back to back and late in the second round, the Dogs will have to wait to see who falls through to their selections but will almost certainly punt on youth in favour of experience. They could look to Tasmanian tall forward Aaron Cornelius or even top age rebounder Steven Gaertner from the Dandenong Stingrays, if both last that long.