THE WESTERN Bulldogs could come away from this year’s compromised draft with two highly-talented players that possess an uncanny sixth sense of where each other is on the field.    

The father-son rule has left Calder Cannons and Vic Metro representatives Mitch Wallis and Thomas Liberatore - who have played alongside each other since under nines - available to the Dogs in the November 18 NAB AFL Draft. Mitch is the son of former Dogs captain Steve Wallis, while Liberatore's father is 1990 Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore.

With the Gold Coast Suns enjoying such a stranglehold on the draft, 2010 is the ideal year for the Dogs to have two highly-talented players available via the father-son rule, which changed in 2007.

“Whatever way you look at it, it’s a good year to be able to get two boys who are pretty even 16 or 17 picks apart,” AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

The rule now invites rival clubs to bid in reverse ladder order on eligible players. The club in question must then use its next available pick in reply.

However, even if Wallis and Liberatore prompt bids, the Dogs could still leave this year’s draft with both secured for picks under 39.

Calder Cannons coach Marty Allison said they offered a unique package as a pair. 

“They just have a sixth sense about where each other is, which is a little bit extraordinary. They’re like the Krakouer brothers,” he said.

“They complement each other. Mitchell needed to work on winning his own ball, his inside game, and Tom was the opposite; he needed to work on his outside game.

“When they were growing up, Mitchell used to go and finish off all Tom’s hard work.

“Now, Tom is probably one of the best clearance players I’ve seen in the TAC Cup.”

If the Bulldogs finish fourth on the ladder, their first two picks will be 22 and 39. If they slip to fifth, they will be to 21 and 38.

Their first two selections will still be considered a steal, given the players’ talent and the Suns’ position to use nine of the first 15 selections.

Both boys are considered “draftable” commodities by Sheehan, with the national talent expert expecting them to take their places on a primary list next year. 

“There’s great cooperation between the two; they go to school together at St Kevin’s and play there together, and you can just see that clear understanding they have for each other,” he said.

Wallis broke his hand before game four of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in June but will resume with Calder in a weeks’ time for what will be his second TAC Cup for the year.

Liberatore is expected to then play his sixth game for the season. All year, the 2009 premiership-playing pair has successfully juggled commitments to school team St Kevin’s, the TAC Cup and the national championships.

“They don’t take the foot off the pedal. They want to excel at everything they do, whether that be their school work or whatever level of footy they’re at. That’s not a commodity we see too often,” Allison said.

The rule was changed from clubs using their third round pick to recruit a father-son draftee after the Cats recruited forward Tom Hawkins with selection No.41 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.

Since then, two players - Essendon’s Darcy Daniher and the Bulldogs’ Ayce Cordy - have had their market price set by the competition, with the Bombers using pick 39 in 2007 and the Dogs pick 14 in 2008.

The Dogs must inform the AFL of any intention to recruit them under the father-son rule by Friday October 1. The bidding meeting, which will not include the Suns, will be held on October 4.