The Western Bulldogs made a bold decision to draft Marcus Bontempelli with their prized fourth pick in the AFL national draft.
Bontempelli was initially tipped to go in the teens, but his draft stocks rose on the back of a stellar second half of the season with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup.
Bontempelli, who celebrated his 18th birthday last Sunday, has a lot of room for growth and development.
He is a point-of-difference midfielder – tall, rangy and with a lethal left boot.
His endurance base is strong and he has the flexibility to play on most lines on the ground.
The Bulldogs opted for a matured-aged player with their second selection, the 42nd overall.
Matt Fuller, a 23-year-old from Norwood in the SANFL, will bolster the club’s mid-sized defensive stocks.
Fuller is known for his lethal foot skills and ability to read the play.
With the final pick, 60th overall, the Dogs snapped up Mitch Honeychurch from the Eastern Ranges in what could be a late draft steal.
Honeychurch, an in-and-under midfielder or small forward, was Vic Metro’s most valuable player at the under-18 national championships and made the All-Australian team. His attack on the contest is far superior to what his slight 175cm height and 67kg frame might suggest.
The AFL’s rookie and preseason drafts will take place today.
