GEELONG Falcons talent manager Michael Turner has declared Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Zaine Cordy as one of the best defenders he's seen at the club.
Cordy, the brother of Bulldogs forward Ayce and the son of Brian, is a versatile and athletic key defender, and will likely be the Bulldogs' top pick of the four father-son prospects eligible for this year's draft.
This is Turner's 20th year at the Falcons, which has been a fertile breeding ground for AFL clubs.
Falcons' alumni include the likes of Geelong premiership full-back Matthew Scarlett, Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge, West Coast defender Will Schofield, and Brisbane Lions defenders Matt Maguire and Darcy Gardiner, the latter taken at pick 22 in last year's draft.
Turner told AFL.com.au Cordy ranks up there with some of the most talented defenders recruited from the Falcons.
"I would say the Western Bulldogs would have to give up a fairly early pick to grab him under father-son," Turner said.
"I rate him really highly. I've been doing this job for a really long time, and he is one of the best defenders I've had.
"He has all the attributes to play AFL footy, there's no doubt about that."
Last Friday night, Cordy was handed the challenge of playing on potential number one draft pick, Peter Wright.
The Calder Cannons forward kicked six goals against Cordy, but Turner said he was impressed with the young defender's overall effort.
"Wright kicked a couple of goals at the end that were little dribblers and not really Zaine's fault, but I watched his efforts on the computer and he was absolutely outstanding," Turner said.
"He fought fantastically against Peter Wright. Every contest I watched, he never lost in a one-on-one contest, he punched the ball away and did a lot of good blocking."
Playing alongside Wright at the Calder Cannons is Josh Wallis, son of former Bulldogs' captain Stephen, and brother of Mitch.
Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte told AFL.com.au the 17-year-old midfielder was hampered by a quad injury in the pre-season, and will need to improve his aerobic endurance to compete at the level required for TAC Cup.
"He's very strong-bodied and has a really good understanding of the game," Kyte said.
"He doesn't have the same natural ability as Mitch and he's probably going to have to work a lot harder.
"But with hard work, the possibilities could be endless if he tried to have a real go, which he seems to be doing this year."
Luke Kennedy, son of Rick, and Jayden Foster, son of Peter, are also at the Calder Cannons as top-age players.
Foster, who will turn 19 this year, was overlooked in the 2013 draft after a horror run of injuries, but the late bloomer has impressed Kyte this season.
Foster will be given an opportunity to show his wares as a key forward in the VFL for Coburg in the coming weeks.
"He showed us over the last couple of weeks that he's got the capabilities to go on and play at a higher level," Kyte said.
"I think he's going to be a top prospect by the end of the year for the Bulldogs or for any other club that might be interested."
Western Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple confirmed the Bulldogs are keeping a close watch on all four players, with each of them spending time at the club's father-son academy.
Jayden Foster in action for the Calder Cannons this year. Picture: AFL Media