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JAKE Stringer was not even on the original AFL invite list, but that soon changed when the Western Bulldogs ramped up their interest in the powerful midfielder/forward.
Jake Stringer
Satisfied that he could successfully rehabilitate his broken leg in an elite environment, the Dogs found him irresistible at No.5 despite reports he could slip as low as the mid-teens.
Stringer, a 191cm and 94kg 18-year-old from Bendigo, badly broke his leg at the start of last season, but returned to football this year.
He may have had a slight limp and struggled with soreness, however the Dogs saw enough grunt to convince them he was worthy of the prized pick.
Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple was thrilled with one performance at full-forward for Eaglehawk in the strong Bendigo League when he matched it with hardened men.
"He plays with a real presence of wanting to get involved in the contest ... he was in the thick of things. Those players are few and far between," Dalrymple said.
"Combine that with his ability around the ball and ability to take a contested mark and there's not many of them in the AFL. It's a pretty exciting package."
Dalrymple said patience would be required as the Dogs get Stringer back to full fitness, but said there should be "no barriers'' to him getting back to his best.
''It's a fixable problem,'' Dalrymple said.
The Dogs said they made the final call to take Dalrymple was made yesterday afternoon, but coach Brendan McCartney loved him and murmurs of him going to Whitten Oval spread quickly in recent days.
Three games late in the season with VFL club Bendigo caught the eye of several clubs, with one rival likening him to Michael Voss.
Jackson Macrae, a midfielder/wingman with tricks, was taken with pick No.6 by the Bulldogs, who had been linked to Troy Menzel.
He is working on his kicking polish and is more of an outside player than Stringer.
They complement each other, but Dalrymple said the Dogs stuck to a "best available'' policy, not looking for a point of difference with pick No.6.
Hrovat, the Dogs' next pick, is only 175cm, but has been likened to Sam Mitchell.
''He's a real professional. Wins it in and outside and a really good kick. He's a guy that could be in our leadership program within three years, he's so full on,'' Dalrymple said.
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