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 of ruckman Ayce, had been nominated as a father-son selection by the club.

But as the bidding meeting went on, it took until selection No.51 for a bid to come, from Fremantle. The Bulldogs matched it with their next pick in the fourth round and Cordy's football future was sealed. 

It came after an up and down season for the Geelong Falcons defender, who missed some games with niggling injuries but also had some impressive efforts. 


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

He possesses qualities needed as a key defender: he's tough, doesn't like being beaten and at his size (192cm) he can be used on shorter or taller opponents. 

In marking contests he lunges and bends to get a fist in and spoil the ball away – a stretch which no doubt helped him become a gun underage tennis player. He's also more than 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. 


Because of his size he's unlikely to hold down a true key position in defence and will probably always be a third tall defender. That's not a big concern. 

He has had some little niggling injuries through the year, and missed the NAB AFL Draft Combine with a hamstring strain, so for a rival club to place a bid it needed to do plenty of homework.
 

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

Because of his marking strength and ability to read the ball in the air, use his body, and often outmuscle forwards, Cordy can be likened to Essendon's Cale Hooker.


Pick No.64. He's locked in for the Bulldogs.


To get a mobile tall defender for a late selection is a big win for the Bulldogs. Cordy might end up one of the real father-son bargains under the current bidding system, of which has served the Bulldogs well in recent seasons.