The 2012 Toyota AFL Dream Team is open to select your best 22 and in the last instalment of our Dream Team preview, westernbulldogs.com.au is ready to assist with one of the biggest challenges - rounding out your team with largely untried talent.
It is hard to gauge which new draftees will give you bang for your buck in terms of getting game time and give your team depth during the bye rounds.
With ten new draftees at Whitten Oval you could pick up a diamond in rough who not only fills the gap in your team’s line-up but could also potentially earn you some serious Dream Team points.
Off the back of impressive preseasons - in particular the contested football drills - the Bulldogs think these draftees are primed to make an impact when selected in the senior side this season.
Clay Smith (MID)
2011: N/A
2012 DT Price: $107, 700
His impressive preseason would suggest that he will feature early in the senior Bulldog line-up. He has shown that he can match it with the bigger bodies in training and will be putting his hand up for selection early in the Season. At the very reasonable price of $107, 700 he will be looking to taking senior football head on.
Michael Talia (DEF)
2011: N/A
2012 DT Price: $98, 700
Capping off the U18 AFL Championships with All Australian honours, Michael Talia is amongst the cream of the crop of this year’s draftees coming through the system. Worth a look to round out your team, Talia has the ability to hold down a defensive post. With a man’s body he will be looking to break into the squad and get some game time this year.
Tory Dickson (FWD)
2011: N/A
2012 DT Price: $98, 700
The Bulldogs mature age recruit will be putting his hand up early in the season for the call up. With a number of years in the VFL, Dickson is better equipped than some of the younger draftees to make the transition to senior football. Booting 48 goals across 19 games for Bendigo Bombers last year proves that he can follow through. His versatility to play up forward or push back through the midfield should also be a consideration for adding him to your Dream Team.
Some other names pushing for selection in 2012 will be:
Zephaniah Skinner (FWD)
2011 DT Average: 14
2012 DT Price: $104, 200
Matthew Panos (FWD)
2012 DT Price: $98, 700
2011: N/A
To sign up to the 2012 Toyota AFL Dream Team click here.
Become a member of the Western Bulldogs in season 2012 by clicking here.
