The Western Bulldogs have selected Cooper Hynes with Pick 20 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
A strong-bodied forward-midfielder, Hynes was named co-captain of the Dandenong Stingrays in the most recent Coates Talent League campaign.
Booting 23 goals in 15 games to go with an average of 23.7 touches, Hynes finished the year with Team of the Year honours and second place in both the Morrish Medal and the Stingrays’ Best and Fairest.
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Creativity, power and clean hands are some of the 18-year-old’s strengths, as is his explosiveness out of the stoppage.
He is also the son of four-game former Carlton player, John Hynes.
Here’s what AFL Talent Ambassador, Kevin Sheehan, had to say:
A medium midfielder/forward who is a powerful contested ball winner around stoppages and dangerous when he goes forward with his innate goal sense and strong overhead mark. He had an exceptional year with the Dandenong Stingrays, averaging 24 disposals (11 contested), 4.7 clearances and kicking 23 goals in 15 matches. Finished runner-up in the Morrish Medal and also for the Stingrays’ best and fairest award, as well as being selected in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. Carried that form into the National Championships for Victoria Country, averaging 17 disposals at 79 per cent efficiency and averaging a goal a game against the best young players nationally.
Cooper Hynes - profile
Position: Forward-midfielder
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Bonbeach
State: VIC
Height: 190cm
DOB: 28/02/2006