Western Bulldogs snare fourth pick in the draft on opening day of trading

The Western Bulldogs have elevated themselves in to the top five of the 2023 draft but boldly parted ways with three first-round draft picks to get there.

With Melbourne premiership player James Harmes and St Kilda’s Nick Coffield potentially set to join the club during the trade period the Bulldogs will also now to go to the national draft with the No.4 pick.

The Bulldogs sent picks 10 and 17 to the Suns along with their 2024 first-round pick to secure picks 4, 46 and 51 in this year’s draft.

Gold Coast had to trade its top pick to avoid it being consumed by an expected bid for academy key forward Jed Walter inside the top three, with the Bulldogs winning out from several rival suitors for the pick including Adelaide.

Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said getting access to the talented top end of this year’s draft had been well worth the price of the deal.

He said the Dogs had to carefully consider where a bid for father-son prospect Jordan Croft would come before committing to parting with picks 10 and 17.

“There’s probably a number of reasons … one is how highly we rate the top end of this draft, the types of players that will be there that align to our needs, and also take into consideration the bids that are going to come in this draft for academy kids, father-sons, free agency (compensation), and where our two first-rounders this year in particular would’ve landed,” Power said.

“I think everyone talks about similar names … one thing about this draft is there’s probably a mix of types at the top end.

“There’s a few midfielders, there’s a bit of speed, there’s some good utility players who are pretty versatile and have got some real talent.”

Power said the Bulldogs were confident that Croft, the son of 186-gamer Matthew Croft, would nominate to be selected under the father-son rule despite not yet making a call on his future.

The 200cm key forward booted four goals in three games for the Vic Metro under-18s this season.

“The official nominations are still some time away, so we’ll work through with Jordan over the next period of time, but we’re really keen for how he could be able to influence the club,” Power said.

He said Nick Coffield’s intercepting ability was part of the Bulldogs’ push to acquire him in a trade, with the club to meet on Monday with St Kilda list boss Stephen Silvagni.

Power said the Bulldogs were working through a trade with Port Adelaide for South Australian ruckman Jordon Sweet, with a number of routes to replacing the 25-year-old being considered.

He suggested the Dogs would be comfortable with Rory Lobb carrying the No.1 ruck duties should Tim English suffer an injury, while the 208cm Sam Darcy could also receive more opportunities in the ruck.

“We’ll assess it all over the next period. Whether that’s sort of the trade period, the draft or potentially post (draft) through the SSP,” Power said.