What Will He Bring: Ryley Sanders

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Western Bulldogs entered last night’s National Draft with a top-five pick, after they successfully brought in the selection from the Gold Coast Suns during the recent Trade Period. As a result of the modern-day setup of Academies and having to match bids, what started as Pick 5 eventually slid down to Pick 6 when the Bulldogs eventually had their turn to bring in the next young superstar, and they failed to hesitate when it came to selecting Tasmanian youngster Ryley Sanders.

Despite being linked to several other young stars in the leadup to the Draft, most experts had been predicting that the Bulldogs would take the midfielder in the last couple of days, and so the experts were proven correct, with Bulldogs fans hoping that Sanders will play a big role in bolstering the Bulldogs midfield stocks for many years to come.

THE PLAYER:

Ryley Sanders

Height: 186cm Weight: 86kg Position: Midfielder Club: Sandringham Dragons/Allies

WHAT THEY SAID:

“A strong-bodied midfielder who is both powerful and courageous in his attack on the ball and with the pressure he exerts on the opposition in contests.

His strong two-way running is another feature of his game and was on display as dominated for the Allies at the National Championships” – AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan

“For me the biggest thing is just you can absolutely guarantee what you are going to get from this kid every single week.

“You just feel really confident that he is going to turn up every day, every week.” – Western Bulldogs National Recruiting Manager Dom Milesi

2023 SEASON:

Sanders entered the season as one the hottest prospects in his draft crop, and would only go on to further consolidate that standing as the year progressed. He proved to be one of the best ball-winning midfielders in the Talent League with the Sandringham Dragons, averaging just over 30 disposals and five tackles across his nine games with the Dragons, as they secured a second consecutive premiership. Sanders proved to be one of the Dragons’ best players on the day as well, collecting 24 disposals, six tackles and four clearances.

But it was during the U18 Championships that Sanders really rubber-stamped his reputation. In an immensely talented Allies midfield that included the likes of fellow first-round draftee Colby McKercher, Sanders proved himself to be the best of a strong bunch, averaging nearly 36 disposals at 80% efficiency (including 14.5 contested possessions), six marks, five clearances, four tackles and a goal across the four games that he played, as the Allies secured the title at the Carnival. Not only were those numbers enough to comfortably secure All-Australian honours, Sanders also secured the Larke Medal – awarded to the player adjudged the best-and-fairest at the tournament.

Rounding out his season, Sanders was also selected for the Australian Under-18 side, where he produced strong showings and representative matches against Port Adelaide’s SANFL side, and Carlton’s VFL side.

WHAT WILL HE BRING:

For all the talented young talls that the Bulldogs have brought through the club in recent seasons, it has meant their young midfield brigade has been somewhat neglected, with very few names coming through to replace the likes of Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar, Jackson Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli, all of whom are in the latter half of their career. Sanders immediately remedies that, bringing to the table a strong work-rate and industry to a midfield that hasn’t undergone a great deal of change in recent seasons.

Sanders will be a welcome addition to a side that, for all its talent, lacked a great deal of variety and options at times last season. Unlike the first-round selections that the Bulldogs have drafted in recent seasons, Sanders is a far more ready-made option and, pending fitness, there’s every chance he’ll be in the frame for a Round 1 debut next season.