LUCKLESS West Australian midfielder Riley Garcia has a chance at achieving his AFL dream, selected by the Bulldogs with pick No.62 in one of the good news stories of this year's draft.
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Garcia went down with an ACL injury early in the deciding match of the 2019 NAB Under-18 Championship, and while his rehabilitation is likely to keep him on the sidelines well into the 2020 season the Dogs are confident the rewards outweigh any risk.
"Riley's a really strong character, he's got good speed and at ground level he's really good below his knees … he has the desire, he's got real hunger to make it, he'll give himself every chance," said the Dogs' recruiting manager Sam Power.
The Dogs looked to bring a lively target into their forward structure with their first-round pick, taking crafty small forward Cody Weightman (below) at pick No.15.
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"We were rapt to get him at that selection… he addresses a need, we were looking to bring a small forward in," said Power.
"He's got some attributes we probably lack a little bit in the front half of the ground and he'll really add to the mix we've got up there."
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Draft expert Callum Twomey said Weightman was "as driven as anyone in the pool", his workrate and charismatic personality adding to his appeal for the Dogs.
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Vic Country's leading goalkicker at the Under-18 carnival, Weightman has clean hands, the ability to play taller than his 178cm frame, and is a consistent finisher around goals.
The Dogs' draft haul also included Louis Butler (No.53), an athletic Sandringham Dragons defender with impressive ball use and decision-making.
"Louis gives us a bit of flexibility, being able to play both as an outside mid and as a back," Power said.
Louis Butler in action for Sandringham in the NAB League. Picture: AFL Photos
"He's so versatile, he can play a number of positions, and his running ability is really good. With his endurance he covers the ground really well."
Butler averaged 18 disposals in four matches representing Vic Metro at the Under-18 carnival.
