WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

[Mofra]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

Assuming we stick with the 3 tall forward where does he slot in for us?
He's got some Bedendo type traits but also Bedendo like challenges in terms of where does he fit? unless he moves onto a wing.

We do play a HF who can rotate high on the ground. I guess it depends where we play Kennedy and how Sonny performs over the pre-session.

We only have one wing spot locked down too so the other wing may be a 50/50 sharing arrangement.

[hujsh]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1695573/josh-dolan-its-been-a-rollercoaster?videoId=1695573&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1732192099001

This guy is STOKED to be a Doggie. Great to see

[Axe Man]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

So where is Sam originally from? Edit: He's from Maffra according to the article I posted below - formerly a Bulldogs zone in East Gippsland so as well as being a bulldogs supporter it's a nice bit of synergy.

18 in a row: Dogs recruit ensures remarkable VFL streak rolls on

MAKE that 18 consecutive winners and counting.

Sam Davidson has maintained a longstanding VFL streak by becoming the latest recipient of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal to land in the AFL, after the Western Bulldogs selected the athletic forward with pick No.51 on Thursday night.

The 22-year-old has a football resume that reads like a country gun for hire, but his short stints at Sale City in the North Gippsland Football League, South Mildura in the Sunraysia Football League and Maffra in the Gippsland League weren't because he was chasing envelopes brimming with cash around country Victoria.

Davidson has been studying medicine at Monash University ? he is at the business end of his fifth year ? and undertaken rural placements across 2022 and 2023, only emerging on the radars of recruiters in 2024 because of his academic focus.

The 191cm forward reached out to Richmond to undergo a pre-season over last summer through a Steve Morris contact and earned a game by round three, before winning the VFL's best young player award after bolting from nowhere across winter.

Richmond VFL operations manager and AFL recruiter Oliver Grant watched vision of Davidson over the pre-season before he was offered a contract and has been blown away by his astronomical rise from anonymity to the AFL.

"It is just great recognition of the program and the people in it. Ultimately, it's all him and we are so proud of him," Grant told AFL.com.au on Thursday night.

"We've built an environment that has enabled him to thrive. He is talented, has the ability to run and athletic traits that have got him to this position, so all the credit must go to him. But how it makes me feel is enormous pride for the VFL program. I'm just so rapt for him."

Richmond's VFL program has produced a bounty of AFL players in recent years, including Mykelti Lefau, James Trezise, Tylar Young and Jake Aarts, while Sam Durham and Massimo D'Ambrosio also had stints at Punt Road.

Davidson kicked 26 goals in 17 appearances in his first season at state league level, sharing the VFL club best and fairest after putting his name on the radar of more than a handful of clubs, including Essendon which was tempted to pull the trigger in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft before opting for Saad El-Hawli instead.

The VFL young gun award was introduced in 1989 and has become a glittering accolade with every winner being drafted since Jason Davenport was picked by Geelong in 2006.

Davidson will need to put his medical degree on hold now that he is entering a full-time football environment, but the plan has been to study a PhD part-time in 2025.

[chef]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

Man he's rapt, love to see it.

[Axe Man]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

Boyhood Bulldog finds his way to the Kennel

Sam Davidson is excited to live out his boyhood dream in the Red, White and Blue.

It was a nervous wait for Davidson heading into the second night of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft on Thursday. But the anticipation paid off when he heard his name called at Pick 51—a moment he described as surreal.

“I was sort of praying that my name would get read out, especially by the Bulldogs,” Davidson said.

“It felt like the world stopped.”

At 22, Davidson joins the Bulldogs as a mature-aged recruit after a standout season with Richmond’s VFL team in 2024.

The versatile forward averaged 14 disposals, three marks, and three tackles per game while booting 26 goals across 17 matches in 2024.

His efforts earned him the prestigious Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, awarded to the VFL’s most promising young player.

Davidson’s adaptability has been key to his success. With height, speed, and a strong athletic profile, he believes his versatility will be an asset at Mission Whitten Oval.

“I’m a bit of a utility player and got used in a number of positions at Richmond this year,” Davidson explained.

“Mostly as a high half-forward, but I also played on the wing and even in the ruck at times, using my jump.

“I’d say I’m a good runner with some speed and burst.”

For Davidson, this draft selection is more than just a career milestone—it’s a lifelong dream come true.

A passionate Bulldogs supporter since birth, the boy from Maffra expressed his excitement about joining the team he’s admired since childhood.

“I couldn’t have picked a better club to go to,” Davidson said.

“I’ve been supporting the Doggies my whole life, riding the highs and lows with them.

"My family, both immediate and extended, are over the moon—they get to support the club they love while supporting me at the same time.

“My favourite player growing up was Adam Cooney. I’ve always wanted to be like him, with the blonde hair and everything. Hopefully, I’ve gotten a bit closer to that tonight.”

Davidson’s journey to the AFL has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In his fifth year of studying medicine, Davidson balanced his rural placements across 2022 and 2023 with playing football across the Gippsland league, before finally capturing the attention of recruiters in 2024.

A “cold” message to Richmond, asking to join their pre-season training—a move that set the stage for his notable rise.

Although his studies will take a backseat, Davidson is eager to focus on football and begin his first preseason as an AFL-listed player with the Western Bulldogs.

“I’ve worn the Bulldogs jumper plenty of times before, but to have it on knowing I’m going to play in it, in front of all the fans—it’s pretty special,” Davidson said.

[Mofra]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

I'm pretty happy he gets the 42 as well - Liam Picken made the number famous, and another mature aged rookie put the number on the map - Matty Boyd

[Sedat]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

I'm pretty happy he gets the 42 as well - Liam Picken made the number famous, and another mature aged rookie put the number on the map - Matty Boyd

Pretty disrespectful to Gary Walpole

[Mofra]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

Pretty disrespectful to Gary Walpole

Fair, a little before my time though

[Twodogs]

Re: WOOF welcomes Sam Davidson to the Whitten Oval

Pretty disrespectful to Gary Walpole

And Wayne Foreman. Alan Thorpe could play a bit too.