When the 2015 NAB AFL Draft gets underway at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday night, young men Australia wide will be anxiously waiting to see if their AFL dream has become a reality.
Six people that will know exactly how they’re feeling are Toby McLean, Lukas Webb, Declan Hamilton, Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel and Zaine Cordy, the Western Bulldogs 2014 draft class.
The 2014 crop have all had solid starts to their AFL careers, but Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple recalls having to make some late adjustments to his draft strategy following some post-season departures.
“We had a number of players leave the club later in the year and as a result we had 5 picks from 26 to 46.”
“It changed the whole strategy around the draft. What we didn’t want to do was speculate on any of those picks, rather we wanted to maximise the value of those selections. Three months earlier we might have gone for a certain type of player but it became more about taking the best player available.”
The Bulldog’s first pick was former Oakleigh Charger, Toby Mclean.
The crafty small forward’s electric early season play in the VFL saw him selected to play his first senior game in round 10 against Port Adelaide. McLean’s season ended prematurely following a shoulder injury against the Blues in round 15 but the 19 year old’s future is bright.
Lukas Webb, taken at pick 27 was the first of the class of 2014 to debut on the big stage. The lethal left footer suited up against the Hawks in round 3 and would notch up 10 games by the end of the season.
The Gippsland Power product starred in the Club’s emotional round 5 win against the Swans, collecting 17 disposals, five marks and two tackles.
The Dog’s third choice was Declan Hamilton. Hamilton played 18 games for Footscray in 2015, returning 11 goals playing across half-forward, with cameo’s on the wing and in the midfield. The young South Australian showed plenty across the year and will enter the preseason well placed for a crack at the big time in 2016.
Despite his light frame, Bailey Dale, taken at pick 46 from the Dandenong Stingrays, also played 10 senior games following his debut in round 7 against the Dockers at Etihad Stadium. Dale showed that he can use the ball well and has an eye for goal, hitting the scoreboard in 6 of his 10 appearances at senior level.
Chosen at pick 46, Caleb Daniel’s season started late following minor knee surgery, but the 19 year old South Australian made up for lost time once when given the opportunity, making his senior debut in round 14 against Carlton.
Coming on as the sub at half time, Daniel made a strong first impression, the helmeted-one amassing 14 disposals, five marks and one goal in the win.
Daniel was the only member of the class of 2014 to be named in the team that took on Adelaide in the First Elimination Final.
Finally, Zaine Cordy was taken as a father/son selection at pick 62. Cordy, son of 124-gamer Brian and brother of former ruckman Ayce, was a top-30 prospect leading into the draft and the key defender did not disappoint in 2015, impressing at VFL level and being rewarded with selection in the AFL side against North Melbourne in round 22.
Who will make up the class of 2015? Log on to westernbulldogs.com.au on Tuesday, 24 November from 6:30pm AEDT to find out who the Kennel’s latest recruits will be, or watch the draft live on Fox Footy.
