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• 10 things we learned from the draft

THIS year's premiers have bucked the trend of steering away from big men early in the NAB AFL Draft, with the Western Bulldogs taking exciting West Australian Tim English with their first selection on Friday. 

The Dogs grabbed the agile ruckman with pick 19 after he showed plenty of improvement over the past 18 months with WA and South Fremantle, where he played senior football in the WAFL this season.

English, who is lightly built but highly skilled for his size after honing his craft across half-back before a growth spurt, will no doubt be given time in the VFL to develop his body, and looms as a long-term project for the Bulldogs.

The club's recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple told AFL.com.au they were more than willing to take a chance on English if he was available, despite the snubbing of young ruckmen in the past. 

"We always thought that there was a chance that he might slide down the order because of that reason, but we felt that he was too good a player to pass up," he said. 

"At 205cm and with his ability with ball in hand, we thought it was really suitable to the way we play, so that made him an attractive option. 

"We always pick the best player available, and our list is fairly well balanced, so we didn't think there was a pressing need, we just wanted to get good players." 

The Dogs used three more selections on former basketballers Patrick Lipinski (No.28) and Lewis Young (No.49), and Fergus Greene (No.70).

Selection No.19 – Tim English
Simon Dalrymple says: "He needs to get a better vertical leap but he got long arms, so we see him being a really good ruckman who can give us first use, along with his work around the ground, which is rare among rucks. We want the ball in his hand because he's such a nice kick."

Selection No.28 – Patrick Lipinski
Simon Dalrymple says: "A former basketballer who is a fantastic young man and plays as a mid forward. He's actually coached by Marcus Bontempelli's uncle, so there's a connection there, and he's got a great attitude." 

Selection No.49 – Lewis Young
Simon Dalrymple says: "A 198cm forward who we think can also play back, and another former basketballer. We felt that he's got some potential as a key forward or defender."

Selection No.70 – Fergus Greene
Simon Dalrymple says: "A late developer who ran a 15.0 in the beep test, has a good vertical leap, and is a really good kick. He's skinny so he'll need some time in the gym, but he comes from a really good footy family and interviewed well."