Billy Dowling

Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 1/7/2004
Club: North Adelaide (SANFL)

Adelaide has snared home grown midfielder Billy Dowling with Pick 43 in the National Draft after trading its way back into the third round.

The Crows completed a pick swap with Gold Coast on Tuesday night to improve their draft position and secure the North Adelaide onballer who was named MVP of the SANFL’s under-18 competition this year.

Adelaide received Gold Coast’s Pick 43 in exchange for Pick 79 and the two clubs also agreed to swap their 2023 second and third round selections.

It allowed the Crows to draft their second South Australian in as many selections after securing Norwood’s Max Michalanney with Pick 17 on Monday night.

Dowling is a hard-working midfielder who averaged 31 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, five clearances and six inside 50s throughout the SANFL season, which was highlighted by an incredible 44-disposal, four-goal performance against Glenelg in Round 16.

He impressed his state under-18 coach with his workrate and ability to win the contested footy at both ends of the ground during the national championships.

He also has leadership skills having captained his school team St Peter’s College.