The Western Bulldogs have won the race for one of this year’s most in-demand draft selections in a move that could create a significant trade domino effect.
While there’s been ample speculation this year around whether West Coast would part with Pick 1, rival clubs for many months had been aware of Gold Coast’s willingness to part with Pick 4.
And on Monday, the Bulldogs acquired the prized pick – but only after offering the Suns significant compensation.
The AFL on Monday confirmed the Bulldogs had received Picks 4, 46 and 51, as well as Gold Coast’s future third-round pick.
The Suns, meanwhile, acquired three first-rounders: Picks 10, 17 and the Dogs’ future first-round pick. The three first-rounder deal was flagged by foxfooty.
The Suns were keen to part with their first selection to help them acquire more points to match bids on three academy stars – key forward Jed Walter, versatile ruck Ethan Read and dynamic midfielder Jake Rogers – who should all attract bids in the first round. Subsequently, they received ample interest for Pick 4 from several clubs, most notably Melbourne and Adelaide, while Sydney and Essendon were also linked.
But the Bulldogs’ offer was viewed by rival clubs – and ultimately the Suns – as clearly the best.
It’s a significant price to pay, but one the Dogs have been prepared to make for weeks.
“We’ve maintained a desire to move up the draft board in 2023 due to the high-level talent available at the top end of the first round,” Dogs list boss Sam Power said.
“Given the uncertainty of academy selections and father-son bids, it was also imperative for the club to explore getting as high as possible and securing Gold Coast’s pick was a priority.”
The Bulldogs’ bold determination to move up the draft order has been driven by a desire to acquire either a star midfielder or hybrid forward at the top of this year’s Under 18 class, according to sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au.
The Dogs in the past three drafts have used first-round picks on key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Pick 1, 2020), 208cm utility Sam Darcy (Pick 2, 2021) and key defender Jedd Busslinger (Pick 13, 2022), while they also traded in key defender Liam Jones and tall forward Rory Lobb during the 2022 exchange period.
Several rival club recruiters believe the Bulldogs are keen on star Eastern Ranges small forward Nick Watson to partner Cody Weightman and balance the key-position heavy forward line.
A genuine goalsneak, Watson finished as the leading goalkicker of the Under 18 national carnival, booting 14.6 for Vic Metro as he showed off his unbelievable goal sense, speed, finishing ability and cleanliness at ground level.
He’s as fun and dynamic a prospect as we’ve seen for a while – and a player who’ll draw AFL fans through the turnstiles.
There’s also a view the Dogs need elite midfield talent, hence they’ve been linked to two Tasmanian on-ballers at Pick 4: Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders.
While Sanders – who’s now tied to North Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy, but the Roos don’t have priority access to him inside the top 40 picks – won this year’s Larke Medal, rival clubs believe McKercher would make more sense for the Dogs.
A ball magnet with an excellent left-foot kick, great inside-outside balance, workrate, agility, composure and burst from stoppage, McKercher has been likened to Essendon captain Zach Merrett.
He finished second in the Larke Medal voting after averaging 33 disposals, six marks, six clearances and five inside 50s across four national championships games.
I’m quite aggressive at times with the way I run and kick the ball and try to be impactful towards the team. I’d like to think I‘m quite clean inside the contest and move quite well.”
Exciting Gippsland Power forward Zane Duursma is also at the top of most club draft boards, but it’s unlikely he’ll still be available by the time the Dogs pick. Hawthorn has been linked to Duursma, but there’s a chance the Kangaroos could pounce on him beforehand, especially if they are handed Pick 3 as compensation for losing Ben McKay to Essendon.
Adding weight to the expectation the Dogs will pick small with Pick 4 is the prospect of a rival club bidding on father-son gun Jordan Croft – an athletic 200cm key forward who’s the son of former Bulldog Matthew Croft – in the middle to later stages of the first round.
As for the Suns, list boss Craig Cameron said executing the Pick 4 trade with the Bulldogs now gives them “the flexibility to on-trade” their suite of first-rounders.