When you think of elite ball users at the Bulldogs, you think of Bob Murphy, but according to Steven King, you should also consider young Western Australian Brad Lynch.

Taken with the Dogs’ first pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, Lynch impressed at VFL level last season, and will get his chance to ply his trade against AFL talent this weekend in the opening game of the JLT Community Series.

In 22 games for Footscray last season, Lynch rated above average for disposals and uncontested possessions and rated elite for kicking and disposal efficiency, eliciting some high praise from the Bulldogs backline coach.

“He’s probably on par with Murph with his kicking skills - both feet - he’s got lightning speed and he’s a really good athlete, King said. 

“You’ll see him play down back, across half back, potentially on the wing as well.  Good speed, good athlete and a great user of the footy.  

“He’s a pretty exciting prospect for us.”

At the other end of the spectrum is Murphy himself, who Kings says has worked hard over the summer and is ready to return for his eighteenth season at the Club.

“He’s been going really well, he joined in the full training match sim post-Christmas, King said.

“He’s had a good couple of month block where he’s been upping his intensity and he’s fit back in, especially down back with all of the stuff we’ve done at training.

“He hasn’t missed a beat really all pre-season.”

The Bulldogs take on Melbourne at 4:40pm this Saturday at VU Whitten Oval, followed by an AFLW clash with the Demons at 7:40pm.

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