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THE WESTERN Bulldogs have elected not to nominate Darcy MacPherson as a father-son prospect ahead of next month's NAB AFL Draft, but will consider the teenager on the night if he is still available at the right choice.
MacPherson, whose dad Stephen played 188 games for the club between 1982-95, has been a member of the Bulldogs' father-son program in recent years and played three games for Footscray's VFL side this season.
But the club has informed the 177cm midfielder they won't nominate him under the father-son rules, which would have given the Dogs the option to match a bid if it comes on draft night on November 24.
They can still draft the 17-year-old, but he will be in the open draft pool and considered against the rest of the players up for grabs.
Under the new live bidding system there is less certainty about where clubs' nominated father-son prospects will end up, given they have to wait until the night to see where a bid falls.
The club will take four picks to the national draft – No.20, 21, 30 and 51.
The Dogs will also keep their options open in the rookie draft, where they won't nominate MacPherson as a father-son rookie if he falls through the national draft without a club.
MacPherson overcame injury concerns to be one of the standout players at this month's NAB AFL Draft Combine. He placed among the top-10 of the running vertical jump, agility, beep test, clean hands and kicking tests.
The first AFL deadline for father-son nominations closes on Friday. Clubs have a second deadline in late November days before the draft where the nominated group of father-sons must be finalised.
St Kilda has nominated Bailey Rice as a father-son after he chose the Saints ahead of Carlton, while the Blues are expected to nominate Jack Silvagni and take him as a later pick at the draft.
Melbourne must make a call on Jake Lovett, the son of former Dee Brett, and West Coast also needs to make a decision on whether it nominates Jordan Matera, the son of champion midfielder Peter. The Bombers can nominate Tom Wallis, the son of former Bomber Dean.
Josh Dunkley is eligible to join the Sydney Swans as a father-son pick but was waiting until the end of the trade period before discussing his decision with the club.
The Victorian has been weighing up whether to join the Swans or enter the national draft, which might give him a chance to stay closer to his family, who live in Gippsland. A decision with Dunkley is expected this week.
