The Craziness Of The 2004 AFL Draft - Western Bulldogs
3 Ryan Griffen
6 Tom Williams
22 Jesse Wells
38 Damian McCormack
54 Stephen Tiller
From The Age: Who your team picked
The Bulldogs had plenty of drafts when they ended up with nothing despite picking high in the draft, while they may have been one of the two teams to bypass Lance Franklin they didn't do too badly in the 2004 draft.
Griffen is a big, strong midfielder and the Bulldogs needed to add strength in the middle. Griffen can also run and kick goals, so when he and Cooney are performing at their best they are difficult for other teams to match up on.
Williams was a hyped prospect that draft year, the player that was all about potential due to their athleticism but had played very few actual games. Initially he was expected to become another, but bigger, Koutoufides in the middle but that progression was halted by numerous injuries. He has been reinvented as a key defender and he gives the Bulldogs some things they need in the back line.
Teams are supposed to find success in the top 10, and the real scouting is needed when the later picks are used. The Bulldogs didn't really find a lot with their final three picks. Tiller is still around, drafted as a forward, he has been used in a few different spots when injuries present him with an opportunity.
The Craziness Of The 2004 AFL Draft - West Coast
6 Tom Williams
22 Jesse Wells
38 Damian McCormack
54 Stephen Tiller
From The Age: Who your team picked
THE CLUB SAYS "We got a good blend. We thought we'd take the best players available and the fact that we've got a good cross-section out of that - two talls and two midfielders - is pleasing. We covered all bases. We didn't think young McCormack would be there at 38, so that was pleasing." – Rodney Eade, Bulldogs coach
Griffen is a big, strong midfielder and the Bulldogs needed to add strength in the middle. Griffen can also run and kick goals, so when he and Cooney are performing at their best they are difficult for other teams to match up on.
Williams was a hyped prospect that draft year, the player that was all about potential due to their athleticism but had played very few actual games. Initially he was expected to become another, but bigger, Koutoufides in the middle but that progression was halted by numerous injuries. He has been reinvented as a key defender and he gives the Bulldogs some things they need in the back line.
Teams are supposed to find success in the top 10, and the real scouting is needed when the later picks are used. The Bulldogs didn't really find a lot with their final three picks. Tiller is still around, drafted as a forward, he has been used in a few different spots when injuries present him with an opportunity.
The Craziness Of The 2004 AFL Draft - West Coast
