The Western Bulldogs’ 2018 Draft haul was a triumph for its development pathways, according to the Club’s list boss, Sam Power.
For the second successive year, the Bulldogs drafted a player from its VFL program, with Will Hayes arriving with pick 78 in the NAB AFL Draft.
A year earlier, Billy Gowers was plucked from Footscray, and he went on to lead the Club goalkicking with 26 majors in an outstanding debut season in 2018.
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The Dogs also welcomed its first Next Generation Academy prospect, Buku Khamis, as a pre-selected rookie.
And Rhylee West, the son of Club great Scott, joined Tom Liberatore, Lachie Hunter, Zaine Cordy and Mitch Wallis as current father-son selections at VU Whitten Oval.
“It’s a credit to all the people involved at the club,” Power said.
“For our VFL program, the coaching and how closely it’s aligned to our AFL program, with Will coming out of there.
“Buku is a credit to Dave Newton (Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy Manager) in particular for the work he’s done with him over the last couple of years.
“Not only on field, but off the field as well, the support that we’ve able to give Buku. We’ve seen great improvement in his football.
“Rhylee as a father son – it’s a unique rule to our game, but it’s fantastic to get the son of a such a great player in Scott.
“We’re sure Rhylee will give himself every chance to be a good player as well.”
