Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade believes the club picked up a bargain by recruiting ruck prospect Ayce Cordy under the AFL's father-son rule, despite having to give up their first round draft pick.
The Bulldogs were forced to use their No.14 selection to pick up the 202cm youngster, after St Kilda bidded their No.13 pick, meaning the 'Dogs had to use their next available choice.
But Eade was confident it was an investment that would pay off handsomely once the beanpole 18-year-old bulked up, particularly with the 'Dogs keen to bolster their tall stocks.
"We thought mid-year or probably even earlier in the piece, probably March, we thought it would be a first-round pick," Eade said.
"I suppose it was just depending where we finished on the ladder and the fact we had pick 14, we think it's a cheap buy for us, we think he's a 200-game player.
"This draft is really one for talls and Ayce is up there with the best off them.
"The fact that we've got him now is fantastic, he'll be able to have a good pre-season under his belt straight away."
Cordy, whose father Brian played 124 games for the Bulldogs during the 1980s, was the only player to nominate under the father-son rule.
It means he is the only young AFL prospect whose future is assured ahead of next month's national draft.
"Very excited obviously. I'm hoping to get down there and put in a good pre-season and as Rocket (Eade) said I'll hopefully put on a bit of weight as well," Cordy said.
Despite his father's history with the 'Dogs, Cordy admitted he grew up barracking for North Melbourne, due to his admiration for Wayne Carey, before switching his allegiance in recent years.
"It's good to follow the family name, very exciting," he said.
He played only three games this season for his school team Geelong College, before a shoulder injury forced him to undergo surgery in June.
But the teenager, who was unable to play for the Geelong Falcons TAC Cup side because of injury this season, expects to be back to full fitness within a month.
Eade said it was great that the father-son rule allowed some emotional connections to clubs to be maintained in the modern business-like AFL environment.
"It's a great rule," he said.
"I know that some people say it should be scrapped, but I think there's still a bit of emotion, passion, a bit of loyalty around still in our game, and the fact that we have a father-son (recruit) is great for the club."
