The Western Bulldogs could be the hidden losers of the AFL's new draft bidding rules set to be introduced in 2026.
Dogs Next Generation Academy small forward Khaled El Souki has been one of the most impressive players to start the 2026 Talent League season, with a bag of six last Saturday, capping off a wonderful first month.
"I would say he reminds me of Kozzie Pickett. Small forward, hard to tackle, shrugs tackles and doesn't look rushed when he has ball in hand, can kick goals and also can go to centre bounce and he can do that and some," Western Jets talent lead Reuben William told Zero Hanger.
Much has been made of the difficulty Carlton, Essendon and Port Adelaide could have in landing top prospects Cody Walker (Carlton), Koby Bewick (Essendon, 2027), Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide), Louis Salopek (Port Adelaide, 2027) and Zemes Pilot (Port Adelaide, 2027).
But whereas those clubs will at least have the opportunity to try and get creative, the Bulldogs will have to balance finding points for El Souki with their pursuit of Zak Butters.
The Dogs are viewed as one of the leading contenders to land the out-of-contract Power star, who has formed a friendship with captain Marcus Bontempelli.
Doing so could require the Dogs to give up as many as three first-round picks, acting as a significant barrier to having sufficient points to match an El Souki bid.
Another difficulty is that a tax of up to 30 per cent for top four teams could be implemented, with the Bulldogs, unlike Carlton, Essendon and Port Adelaide, expected to be around that mark.
El Souki is viewed as an early second-round prospect at this stage, but is viewed by many as the second best genuine small forward in the crop behind Gippslander Marlon Neocleous.
Given the increasing prominence of powerful smalls who can pinch hit in the midfield, and a relative dearth of that sort of player in this crop, he could continue to rise.
"He's such a dynamic player and now he's standing up and doing it more consistently, everyone is taking notice but what he's good at, he's always been good at," William said. "He's worked on his (rooms for improvement) and made them strengths. His tackling pressure has been very good and he's one that the coach asks more of him in one depertmanent he'll always rise.
"He's been a pleasure to have and his growth has been really good to see. He gets around his teammates, is an unselfish player and gets his rewards off the back of that."
Rivals may also sense an opportunity to get their hands on El Souki given the Dogs' predicament and the new rules, which could attract an early bid, despite tied players often falling down the order.
The new rules are likely to compel clubs to only use two picks to find enough points to match a bid, rather than stockpiling later picks, as has become customary in recent years.
El Souki spent part of the pre-season with the Western Bulldogs, and after a tendency to float in and out of games at times last year, has taken his fitness to the next level.
"His centre bounce stuff is really good. He's very impactful. His running power has been the main area of improvement. He's become fitter in the off-season and he's always had a great attitude but that has gone to another level too," William added.
"He's responding well if he's having a quiet patch in a quarter; he'll still find ways to impact which has been really good."
Latrelle Pickett was not even on the radar at this stage last year before being selected on the first night of the draft last year and impacting early in the year for Melbourne. Nick Watson, Isaac Kako and Joe Berry are other examples of small forwards taken early and impacting immediately in recent years.
Notwithstanding the emergence of Rhylee West as one of the most underrated small forwards in the competition, the position is an area the Bulldogs could strengthen.
Cody Weightman has been injured, but hits up and takes marks more than he crumbs, while Josh Dolan is a higher forward, Arthur Jones is into his fifth season and has struggled to establish himself consistently in the line-up, while Laitham Vandermeer and Lachie Bramble are only serviceable.
There is frustration in the industry that the new rules are yet to be finalised and a belief that the rules should not be implemented this year given clubs spend years planning their list strategy.
Certainly, the Dogs would love if the latter could occur.
