WHEN the Western Bulldogs headed to last month's father-son and academy bidding meeting at Etihad Stadium, they were prepared to part with their second-round selection (at the time No.25) for Zaine Cordy. 

Cordy,the son of former Footscray defender Brian and the younger brother ofruckman Ayce, had been nominated as a father-son selection by the club.

Butas the bidding meeting went on, it took until selection No.51 for a bidto come, from Fremantle. The Bulldogs matched it with their next pickin the fourth round and Cordy's football future was sealed. 

Itcame after an up and down season for the Geelong Falcons defender, whomissed some games with niggling injuries but also had some impressiveefforts. 

The Bulldogs had closely monitored Cordy's progress over three years before committing to him, and know his game well. 

Hepossesses qualities needed as a key defender: he's tough, doesn't likebeing beaten and at his size (192cm) he can be used on shorter or talleropponents. 

In marking contests he lunges andbends to get a fist in and spoil the ball away – a stretch which nodoubt helped him become a gun underage tennis player. He's also morethan comfortable running with the footy and backing his foot skills,even if he can do it more.

He has some natural speed and endurance which help his cause, and some think he could even be pushed up to a wing in time. 

Becauseof his size he's unlikely to hold down a true key position in defenceand will probably always be a third tall defender. That's not a bigconcern. 

He has had some little nigglinginjuries through the year, and missed the NAB AFL Draft Combine with ahamstring strain, so for a rival club to place a bid it needed to doplenty of homework.

 

Click here to check out Zaine Cordy's draft profile and watch his 2014 highlights

Itmight be one reason why he fell through to a later pick before a bidwas placed on him – another factor is many clubs did not want to placebids as they were intent on keeping picks ahead of the trade period.