The Western Bulldogs nabbed Jedd Busslinger with their first selection in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft – a player widely regarded as the best key defender in the pool.

Here’s what the Draft experts said about the 18-year-old from East Perth…

AFL Media (Callum Twomey)
Has been somewhat out of sight out of mind given he hasn't played since mid-year after undergoing shoulder surgery. But clubs haven't forgotten his aerial capacity to be a chop-off defender and get the game back on his side's terms. He can be a regular ball-getter in the back half, too, having averaged 24 disposals at Colts level this season. A proactive backman with sure hands.

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan
A tall defender whose real weapons are his intercept marking and ability to take the game on. Was among Western Australia’s best players in matches against Victoria Metro and the Allies at the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys, averaging 22 disposals (75% efficiency), seven marks and five rebound 50s. His campaign was curtailed by a shoulder injury which required surgery, but he was still rewarded with All-Australian selection, such was his dominance across the two matches.

ESPN AFL (Chris Doerre)
The most advanced key defender in this draft, Busslinger is an elite intercept mark who reads the ball early in flight and attacks the football well in the air. With ball in hand, Busslinger is a composed and reliable ball user, while defensively he is competitive and able to curb the influence of his direct opponent.

The Age (Marc McGowan)
The Bulldogs have veterans Liam Jones and Alex Keath to hold the fort down back, but Busslinger would give them someone to invest in for the longer-term. A serious shoulder injury ended Busslinger’s season prematurely, but he had already proven himself as a quality interceptor by then. He would add to the club’s WA stocks, which include Aaron Naughton, Tim English, Jason Johannisen, Riley Garcia and Arthur Jones.

Fox Footy (Ben Waterworth)
A rangy 195cm defender who reads the ball superbly in the air and has great defensive nous and composure, Busslinger is widely regarded as the best tall back in this year’s talent pool. He made the All-Australian team — despite playing just two champs games after undergoing shoulder surgery — as he showed off his intercept, rebound and ball-winning abilities against Vic Metro and the Allies. Busslinger might take some time to mature physically at AFL level — especially after his shoulder surgery — but his height and footy smarts have recruiters excited about his potential.