What Will He Bring - Nick Coffield

The Western Bulldogs have acquired talented medium defender Nick Coffield from the St Kilda Football Club on the final day of the AFL Trade Period. The former pick eight joins ex-Melbourne utility James Harmes who requested a trade to the Dogs early last week and shapes up as a bargain base recruit. Dare I say the term - Moneyball.

THE TRADE:

WHAT WE SAID: “Although Nick has had an interrupted run over the past few seasons, he has demonstrated the ability to have a strong impact at AFL level, particularly during the 2020 and 2021 seasons,” said General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.

“Being only 23, Nick has plenty of upside and can bring some exciting attributes to our defensive half.

“The deal has allowed us to slightly increase our points for this season with the inclusion of two third-round selections in exchange for Pick 40, while also only requiring us to trade away a future fourth-round selection.”

“We look forward to Nick joining our program in the coming weeks. 2023 SEASON:

Coffield's most recent game in the AFL was in the final round of the 2021 season against Fremantle while his 2022 campaign was ruined with Coffield rupturing his ACL a little over a month before the Home and Away season.

Coffield's 2023 season was also injury-riddled as he recovered from his ACL injury before soft tissue injuries delayed his return further until the back half of the season where he featured in four VFL games with affiliate club Sandringham averaging 23 disposals, six marks and 17 kicks, including 28 touches in his first game back.

Our best view of Coffield's form comes from his 2020 and 2021 seasons where he played 34 games after 18 in his first two seasons, as well aCoffield settled in nicely at AFL level, displaying plenty of poise and composure down back at St Kilda as he played in 18 of their 19 matches, including two finals.

WHAT WILL HE BRING:

With six seasons effectively under his belt, Coffield is a ready-made player who had his best football ahead of him.

The Bulldogs do have an array of attacking half-backs in Jason Johannisen, Bailey Dale, and Caleb Daniel and prospects in Luke Cleary and Harvey Gallagher but of our medium defenders, only Ed Richards has the perfect balance between offense and defense.

Until now.

This doesn't mean Coffield is guaranteed a spot in the 23, but he will certainly be a valuable player who like Harmes, will strengthen the depth in the playing group and has the capacity of being a very handy bottom-six player in our AFL team while having the scope to become a fine footballer who could play 150 games for the club.

Coffield's likely introduction as an intercept defender will allow other players like Dale and Richards to be free to roam higher up the ground, which will assist our ball movement from defensive 50 to the forward 50 alongside midfielders in Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Jackson Macrae and Adam Treloar who will drive the ball forward.

Under Premiership Senior Coach Luke Beveridge the Bulldogs have generally fared quite well when they have lined up with two key defenders, three medium defenders and a lockdown defender. Coffield might not be the biggest name by any stretch, but he could play a very important role down back which will give us plenty of flexibility regarding matchups and structure.

Compare the pair. Nick Coffield is already quite familiar with the Western Bulldogs!

Source: AFL

DID YOU KNOW?

Season 2020 was only Coffield's third AFL campaign yet he finished fifth in the Trevor Barker Medal (St Kilda's Best and Fairest) and was only seven votes behind Daniel Butler who placed second to Saints star Jack Steele.

In what was an impressive season, Coffield played a major role in helping the Saints qualify for the finals for the first time since 2011 which was highlighted by being named in the AFL Players Association 22Under22 Team of the Year (interchange) as well as being the Saints Emerging Player of the Year.

Clearly, there is plenty of talent in Coffield, and his newfound home at his boyhood club might just be the catalyst to re-spark a promising career.