2024 Draft Watch

[hujsh]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Dom Brew come on down!

27 year old Werribee VFL captain

Brew has averaged 28.5 disposals (17.4 contested), 3.4 marks, 9.9 clearances, 9.4 tackles and 5.6 inside-50s – with all those being career bests except the tackles, which is unbelievably the lowest number of his career despite still being ranked No.1 in the competition by a long way.

Tend to agree it doesn't seem like the best fit for us but who knows. Maybe we see qualities and find a role for him

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I don?t see us and Brew being any different from others VFL dominant mids who stink it up as a HHF in a few games before being delisted. No way he?s getting midfield minutes over Bont, Adz, Libba, Ed, Kennedy, Sanders and probably West, Harmes or Garcia and Bevo loves Gags too. I just don?t get it.

You'd rather a young guy who missed out in a position of need, not McComb. Mk duex.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I don?t see us and Brew being any different from others VFL dominant mids who stink it up as a HHF in a few games before being delisted. No way he?s getting midfield minutes over Bont, Adz, Libba, Ed, Kennedy, Sanders and probably West, Harmes or Garcia and Bevo loves Gags too. I just don?t get it.

That was what my logical brain was saying. But my ingrained "root for the underdog" DNA still wants to see him drafted and become the next Podsiadly/Marlion Pickett/Mannagh et al story.

There has also been a clear focus to add players with leadership capacity- so maybe picking Drew as midfield depth with a view that he plays a pivotal leadership role at Footscray in the meantime is not such a bad option.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

You'd rather a young guy who missed out in a position of need, not McComb. Mk duex.

Harsh on Brew. Averages near 10 tackles per game over the past couple of years.
No way we roll over so meekly in the final if Brew is playing. Absolute heart and soul type who would be amazing for the group.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I haven't seen much of Brew to comment, but I do love his character and passion and IMO they are two traits we've lacked a little - particularly when it gets tough.

I would be happy to give him a shot for the last spot on the list over an undersized SANFL ruck (we already have Smith).

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

We have done okay with our selections. Nice variety of skill sets but surprisingly the most AFL ready player in Sam Davidson is best suited to an already very tall forward set up.
The bigger issue is we have 2 Docs on the list now

We probably didn't target anything to specific and I would have like to have seen us look for a smaller defender but this was always likely to be a longer term play for us. Hynes to come and in set us up with he and Sanders as long term mids
Jaques to learn off one of the best in Bailey Dale, Dolan that smaller forward and mid with pace and skills, Davidson with plenty of versatility and Kennedy is a player who will just better.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

In what could become one of the AFL's most inspiring stories, Werribee VFL champion Dom Brew has been invited to train with the Western Bulldogs during the upcoming Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).

Brew, 27, is coming off a remarkable 2024 season, where he captained Werribee to the VFL premiership and won the JJ Liston Trophy as the league's best and fairest player.

Averaging 28 disposals, 10 clearances, and nine tackles per game, Brew also claimed the VFL Coaches' MVP award and was named captain of the VFL Team of the Year. Known for his relentless work ethic and physical toughness, Brew's achievements cemented him as one of the most respected players in state-league football.

In a bid to secure his long-awaited AFL opportunity, Brew took the unique step of writing letters to all 18 AFL clubs earlier this year, seeking a chance to prove himself. The Western Bulldogs responded, offering Brew the opportunity to train over summer and compete for their one remaining list spot.

AFL clubs with list spots for the SSP

Brew's professional approach—such as his habit of taking daily ice baths—has earned him a reputation for dedication. His experience and ready-made fitness levels make him a strong candidate to bolster the Bulldogs' midfield, particularly after the departures of Jack Macrae (St Kilda), Bailey Smith (Geelong), and Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) during the recent trade period.

Despite his impressive credentials, Brew will need to impress during training sessions to secure a spot, as the Bulldogs are also considering other prospects during the SSP. If successful, Brew would join a midfield featuring stars Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore, with the chance to make an immediate impact.

Speaking on SEN, Brew shared the mindset that has driven him to pursue this opportunity.

“I just need a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself. If I got in that environment where all I was focusing on was footy, I'd go to another level. I'm convinced I would,” he said.

Brew's determination and leadership qualities make him an appealing option for the Bulldogs as they finalise their 2025 list. However, with competition for the SSP spot, the club will make its decision in the new year.

The Western Bulldogs drafted five players in the 2024 National Draft, including midfield-forward Cooper Hynes and rebound defender Lachie Jaques. Brew would add further depth and maturity to a youthful list brimming with potential.

With the SSP running from February 3–28, Brew has a limited window to prove his value, but his track record and resilience suggest he is ready to seize this rare opportunity. For Brew, this could be the fairytale ending to a long journey to the AFL

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I don?t see us and Brew being any different from others VFL dominant mids who stink it up as a HHF in a few games before being delisted. No way he?s getting midfield minutes over Bont, Adz, Libba, Ed, Kennedy, Sanders and probably West, Harmes or Garcia and Bevo loves Gags too. I just don?t get it.

He trains at the club and they can assess him before considering adding him to the list.
I agree that if we are going to end up slinging him on a forward flank he's got an uphill battle to make that work but I hope we bring in 3 potential players and have a good look at them.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

He trains at the club and they can assess him before considering adding him to the list.
I agree that if we are going to end up slinging him on a forward flank he's got an uphill battle to make that work but I hope we bring in 3 potential players and have a good look at them.

Agree with that. I’ve no problem with looking at him over summer. But I don’t see him forcing his way into our midfield rotation at senior level. I fear he becomes just the next McComb. I thought we’d learn the lesson of not repeating history.

So why bother getting Harmes last year, Kennedy this year and signing Garcia for three years after blooding Gags & Sanders to a solid midfield - then draft more mids - then grab a VFL midfielder for depth when there’s needs on the list still outstanding?

But sure have him train, only if Bevo commits to only selecting him and using him as a midfielder. Unless he’s marked as a lock down defender. But having him dominate the VFL centre square and play forward flank is a step backwards if that’s the plan.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Look - Jonesy can sell this however he likes (and he clearly is) but having just 10x players selected - including a Cat B rookie and one who was a last minute pluck by Freo because of the Gold Coast check-mate move on Knobel is not ideal in a draft when so many kids were selected.

Why he's been so sensitive about it I have no idea. East coast clubs stopped coming over to watch colts games as there wasn't much to watch - that's fine. Not every year is 'the best' year and we have known for a few seasons that the 2006 talent pool was not at the usual level. 2007 birthdays look to be significantly better...

Back to the 2006 players, one player (Bo Allan) is highly regarded. Angove at 24 a huge surprise, Gerreyen talented but no-one knows what position he plays, Urquart can't kick, Hayes is microscopic etc etc. Don't be so sensitive about it.

Trying to figure out why no First Nations players getting drafted anymore (and why most colts sides run out without any in the 23)? Well, that's a question I would love an answer too...

It's a real shame that more players from WA don't get drafted and I'm surprised to hear that some clubs aren't looking at the WA colts a bit closer. That might explain why Davis slid down the order. Clubs are basically giving WC and Freo easier access.
I did hear Mick Ablett say a few months back that the projections early on was that there were likely to be just 3 players drafted from WA so to get a few more than that 'might' be seen as a win by someone on the campaign trail and spruiking things up.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

He trains at the club and they can assess him before considering adding him to the list.
I agree that if we are going to end up slinging him on a forward flank he's got an uphill battle to make that work but I hope we bring in 3 potential players and have a good look at them.

I did read somewhere that you can only bring in two players per available list spot. So maybe Brew and Boyd might be it? Or Brew and one other- Boyd hasn't been confirmed as far as I know.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I did read somewhere that you can only bring in two players per available list spot. So maybe Brew and Boyd might be it? Or Brew and one other- Boyd hasn't been confirmed as far as I know.

That seems to be correct. Carlton have two spots open and have 4 players training with them.

Clubs with SSP List Spots

Carlton: The Blues have two open rookie spots and are welcoming delisted players Denver Grainger-Barras (Hawthorn), Liam McMahon (Carlton VFL), Sam Durdin, and Matt Carroll to train over summer. Grainger-Barras, a former No. 6 draft pick, hopes to reignite his career as a key defender, while McMahon, a VFL Team of the Year forward, offers goal-scoring potential.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I did read somewhere that you can only bring in two players per available list spot. So maybe Brew and Boyd might be it? Or Brew and one other- Boyd hasn't been confirmed as far as I know.

If the Saints want Boyd still, and if we do, then one of the clubs pretty much has to straight up offer him a spot. No way he turns down training with one club to get overlooked by them and miss the opportunity at the other. But if it’s just us, then maybe it’s a straight comp between these guys.

[Testekill]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I think at the very least Brew will help set the standard on the training track for the younger players and he's a heart and soul player who would leave nothing to chance. At the very least you've got kids in the VFL learning off of him and he's a very prolific tackler.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I think at the very least Brew will help set the standard on the training track for the younger players and he's a heart and soul player who would leave nothing to chance. At the very least you've got kids in the VFL learning off of him and he's a very prolific tackler.

It will be interesting to see when he arrives and how he might slot in.
I get what you are saying about his training ethic but we do have a lot of other players are are exceptionally dedicated trainers.
There are already plenty there for the younger guys to learn from. If Brew is to make the senior list it has to be that we have a specific role we have in mind for him.

I'm open to the idea of having him train at the club but he's got his work cut out for him to get a spot in our midfield.