So another year of the AFL Draft has come and gone, with over 70 players realising their dreams as their names were called out by an AFL club.
Carlton didn't shock many people by taking Sam Walsh with the first pick of the draft. However, shocked many by giving up their first-round pick next year for a late first-round pick this year, which was then used to select midfielder Liam Stocker. The Gold Coast Suns also did what many expected them to do and draft Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine to round out the top three, and selecting key defender Ben King with the sixth overall pick, with his twin brother Max, taken by St. Kilda with the fourth overall pick.
The Western Bulldogs featured prominently in this year's Draft, with a pick inside the top 10 and expected to land Father/Son prospect Rhylee West somewhere during the Draft. There would've been a lot of pressure on the outside from new recruiters Nick Austin and Sam Power in their first off-season with the club.
Following the successes of both Simon Dalrymple and Jason McCartney over the years - both of them now at different clubs, this was one AFL Draft that the Western Bulldogs needed to nail. If the highlights packages of each of the five players that the club drafted in the National Draft has any indication, then the Dogs have done tremendously well.
This morning, following both the AFL National and Rookie Drafts, I will present my yearly draft review of the Western Bulldogs, starting with what the club's recruiters said, followed by what I think of the selections.
I will only write about the club's five selections in the National Draft. But I will highlight that there is a lot upside in rookie selection Buku Khamis, who made history as the first Bulldogs player to be drafted under the Bulldogs 'Next Gen Academy'.
Pick 78 - Will Hayes - Midfielder, 181cm, 78kg
What Nick Austin (Western Bulldogs National Recruiting Manager) Said:
"We've had the opportunity to watch Will up close and we're excited to see him get an opportunity at AFL Level. Will has excellent ball-winning ability, has strong endurance and is strong in the contest. It's pleasing to see our VFL program is producing players who are graduating to the Bulldogs senior list, following the success of Billy Gowers in 2018."
What I've Said:
Will Hayes has been a part of the Footscray VFL team since the day the team was brought back into the VFL (2014) and has played a very integral part of two VFL premierships since (2014 and '16). However, season 2018 was his best year yet, finishing inside the top five in the JJ Liston Trophy as the league's best and fairest, and was named as Footscray's best and fairest.
He's shown all throughout the 2018 year that he can run, he can win his own ball and he can use it very well. Having watched him play a number of times at the state level and having seen how consistent he was for Footscray this season, he absolutely deserves a chance to play in the big league, and I was very happy to see the Bulldogs take him with the last pick in the National Draft.
Pick 45 - Ben Cavarra - Forward, 172cm, 72kg
What Sam Power (Head of List and Recruitment) Said:
"He's a mature-aged recruit from Williamstown. He's been there last couple of years as a small forward and also demonstrated that he can spend some time in the midfield. His forward pressure is very good and has some speed."
What I've Said:
I absolutely love this selection and it could prove to be one of the bargains of the 2018 Draft if he can continue to back up his form in the VFL. Ben Cavarra's history at state level is glowing and he's only just 22 years of age. He won the Morrish Medal as the TAC Cup's best and fairest in 2013 before being overlooked in the 2013 AFL Draft. From there, he spent some time at Frankston, where he played exceptional footy as a midfielder.
After the Dolphins folded, Williamstown snapped him up and with his pace, turned him into a gun small forward, capable of tackling, pressuring and kicking goals, booting 66 majors in 40 games and was named in the VFL's team of the year for the past two seasons. The Western Bulldogs need goal-kickers and this man fits their needs like a glove. Don't be surprised if he gets a debut early in the year, because he is an exceptional talent.
Pick 37 - Laitham Vandermeer - Defender, 180cm, 77kg
What Sam Power Said:
"Laitham's really quick, he carries the ball and kicks it well. For him to play on the outside on a wing or at half-back, adds a bit of speed, which we're looking for."
What I've Said:
This selection caught me off-guard, but the two key things they see in Laitham Vandermeer is what I think the club is searching for the most - speed and an ability to hit targets by foot.
He represented Vic Country in the under-18 championships and played as an over-ager in the TAC Cup, but his speed, good kicking skills and ability to run and carry will make likely make him a rebounding defender. However, I think he will need some time to develop in the VFL. But his upside looks very promising, and could be a quality player somewhere down the line.
Pick 26 - Rhylee West - Midfielder, 181cm, 82kg
What Nick Austin Said:
"It's fantastic that we're able to continue the West family name at the Western Bulldogs. Rhylee's ability to find the footy and his tackling and pressure around the contest are some of his greatest strengths. While he is elite with his stoppage work, he is also creative when he has the footy and has the vision to think beyond the contest."
What I've Said:
The Dogs were always going to get a bid for Rhylee West, and maybe he went a bit further down than anticipated, but it's good to see the club match it and make it official. His father, Scott West played over 320 games for the Bulldogs and has won multiple club best and fairests. Rhylee plays a very similar type of game to what his father used to play when he was running around in the Bulldog colours.
Not only is he a hard-at-it and very elite contested ball winner, but he has got an identical football IQ to that of his father, and it showed all throughout the under-18's competitions this year. If he has an uninterrupted pre-season this Summer, he could be every chance to debut in round one, 2019. He's a very good tackler, and his ability to pressure opposition could even see him thrown down forward to start his career. He has proven that he can find the big sticks this year. I can't wait to see what he brings to the table next year - he'll definitely get some game time.
Pick 7 - Bailey Smith - Midfielder, 185cm, 83kg
What Nick Austin Said:
"Not only is Bailey a talented footballer, but his dedication to preparation, training and recovery is outstanding. He is competitive and always wants to impact the contest. We're really excited to have a player of Bailey's talent and character at our club."
What I've Said:
The Western Bulldogs were very keen on this young man for quite some time, and it isn't hard to see why. Not only is he the kind of classy player that the Bulldogs are looking for, but his work ethic is extraordinary and you won't find many young kids that work as hard as Bailey Smith. I was hoping - given the amount of talent that was on offer in this year's Draft - that he would slide to the Bulldogs at pick seven. It happened and it has me genuinely excited about the future of the on-ball brigade.
Smith played predominantly as a midfielder this year, and excelled, averaging over 25 disposals in the Under-18 championships and named as Vic Metro's MVP. But before that, he excelled across half-back, where his ball use by foot is a major highlight in his game. He has also shown over the years that he can also play the half-forward role to a positive effect and is a good shot on goal. His versatility, work-ethic, athleticism and skills would've made this impossible for the Dogs to pass up, but the Achilles injury is a bit of a concern.
Despite this, I have confidence that the club will be cautious and will be very delicate about this matter and providing he has a healthy career ahead of him, he'll be a star in this league in years to come.