With just two weeks before their 2023 season kicks off, the Western Bulldogs are still facing a big choice regarding their prized 2021 number 2 draft pick, Sam Darcy.
The young Bulldog has spent most of his AFL career thus far playing in defence at the Dogs, managing four games last season after his debut in Round 21.
The key position prospect, though, has spent time up forward this pre-season, impressing onlookers at the Kennel during the Bulldogs' intra-club match last weekend.
Speaking to afl.com.au, General Manager of Football at the Dogs, Chris Grant, said the club was considering playing the 19-year-old in the forward line, which is currently stacked with the likes of fellow talls Rory Lobb, Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
"Ultimately, form dictates selection. If all four are playing well, if we're playing well on the back of it, and if we're able to retain the ball and score, why can't it work? It all comes down to how they go, really," Grant told AFL.com.au.
"We don't often see it, but we used to say: how many 200cm players can you have in your team? But the 200cm players are now all athletes. It's the 205cm-plus options, so it is always changing."
While the Dogs have been trialing Darcy up forward, injury concerns surrounding Ryan Gardener may force the young pup back to defence, though Josh Bruce presents as a possible replacement down back.
"In recent weeks Sam has been playing forward, but (with) Ryan's injury, there is a ripple effect from that. What transpires from that we don't know just yet. It probably does change things. Brucey has put his hand up for that position as well," Grant said.
"This is the deepest we've had in that area and what's pleasing is there is a spread across a whole different demographic. With Jonesy at his end and then Lobby and Brucey as well, there is a group below them age-wise. Jedd Busslinger is another one, who is brand new, but another key defender. We probably haven't seen this level of depth in some time."
The Bulldogs will face North Melbourne on Saturday in their final pre-season match, before their season kicks off against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, March 18.
