IF Rhylee West gets to the Western Bulldogs as expected, the father-son prospect believes he can fill the pressure forward role left vacant by Luke Dahlhaus' departure to Geelong.
As revealed by AFL.com.au, the son of seven-time best and fairest and five-time All Australian Scott West has been nominated by Bulldogs, and they will match a rival club's bid expected somewhere late in the first round of November's NAB AFL Draft.
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After trading away this year's second-round selection for Josh Schache in the 2017 Trade Period, coincidentally it's the pick the Dogs received as compensation for losing free agent Dahlhaus - currently pick No.28 overall - that West is likely to cost on draft night.
A standout inside midfielder with the Calder Cannons and Vic Metro this season, West told AFL.com.au he feels ready to test himself at the highest level.
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"Most draftees don't play in their preferred position straight away, so definitely playing as that pressure forward is a role I could definitely play early days," West said.
"I like to think I'm ready to play senior footy because I've got a bit of size on me and I can put that up against the bigger bodies.
"The pre-season will also help my endurance and put a bit more meat on me, so I should be raring to go.
"The great midfielders like (Patrick) Dangerfield and (Dustin) Martin both push forward because you can't play one position these days."
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While he has the physical attributes to help make the transition from junior football to the AFL, West is well aware he needs to improve his kicking if he wants to play regular senior football at a club that doesn't have an overabundance of players who are a reliable kick.
The 17-year-old finished the TAC Cup season with a disposal efficiency of just 56 per cent, but in an encouraging sign his effectiveness increased with the lift in standard at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, finishing the carnival as an All Australian that averaged 22 disposals at 69 per cent efficiency.
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The apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree, with West inheriting his dad's creative hands and vision, but the pair have been fine-tuning his ability to hit the target by foot.
While his kicking is a work in progress, fatherly advice regularly hits the mark.
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"Everyone has a knock on them and kicking is the one I've got, but I've been working really hard on it with Dad and at training, so I've given myself every opportunity to improve it," West said.
"Dad's someone I can bounce any questions off because he watches all the levels of footy I play.
"He's been an assistant at AFL level and coached in the VFL, so he's good at critiquing my games and being that coach at home.
"I'm not a kid that gets feedback and cracks the sooks, whether it's a spray at half-time or a quiet word after the game, I'll take it on board."
