The value of Tom Young in the Western Bulldogs back six is continually rising, with the young defender recently adding lock down roles against small forwards to his repertoire.

While the 21-year-old has shown he can handle the opposition’s third tall, Young is showing enough flexibility to play against all types of forwards.

“Since Tom’s come back from his injury, he’s had a little bit of a different role where he has had to probably play on smaller players,” Development Manager Chris Maple said. 

“We have seen him… go tall and small, playing on guys like Luke McGuane early from Richmond and then last week having to play on [Rohan] Bewick against Brisbane.”

Previously splitting his time between the midfield and defence at Collingwood, Young’s more permanent shift into the back half has seen him produce some impressive form.

Maple said when combined with Dale Morris and Easton Wood in the Bulldogs defence, the trio can cover a broad range of opposition setups and strategic moves.

“The last thing we want to be doing is reacting to the opposition when they can send a taller player or a smaller player to their forward line,” he said.

“So to have players like Tom, Dale Morris, Easton Wood, the guys that can play on taller and smaller guys are a real bonus for us.”

Young currently ranks equal second at the Bulldogs in average rebound 50s, equal fifth in average one percenters, despite just 23 games to his name.