Adelaide has bolstered its midfield stocks by trading up to secure two big-bodied onballers and leaders in Billy Dowling and Hugh Bond in the National Draft on Tuesday night.
The Crows took South Australian Dowling at Pick 43 after he was named MVP of the SANFL’s under-18 competition playing for North Adelaide this season and captained St Peter’s College.
The Club then used Pick 50 to swoop on Bond who is from Ballarat, captained the GWV Rebels and is regarded as a tough and competitive inside midfielder.
It added to an already successful trade and draft haul for Adelaide which also included Norwood’s Max Michalanney in an historic father-son selection at Pick 17 and classy midfielder/forward Izak Rankine via a trade with Gold Coast to bring the South Australian home.
Adelaide National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie said the Crows had added high-end talent and leadership to the squad.
“Firstly to get Izak Rankine home was a great result and then to secure Max Michalanney, who was bid on at Pick 17, is bringing two first-round selections into the Club,” Ogilvie said.
“Then our list management and data analysts did a brilliant job tonight of trading in to get Billy Dowling who is a 188cm midfielder who can also play wing and forward, and Hugh Bond who had a lot of interest from clubs and we didn’t think would still be available at Pick 50.
“Leadership is something we rate very highly and tonight we’ve added the captain of St Peter’s College and captain of the Ballarat Rebels so we are very pleased.”
The Crows pounced on Dowling with Pick 43 which they secured from Gold Coast in exchange for Pick 79 and a swap of future second and third round selections.
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.
“Billy has clearly been on our radar all the way through based on his leadership and performance for North Adelaide and his school,” Ogilvie said.
“He has high-level running power and elite endurance, elite ball-winning ability and has been able to kick goals as well.”
The Crows also traded up to secure Bond after completing a pick swap with Brisbane.
Adelaide received the Lions’ Pick 50 in exchange for its future third round selection which is tied to Geelong.
Bond – a former top-level rower – played 12 games for the Rebels this season and also represented Victoria Country.
“He’s a big, strong, mature kid, who loves the grind and has shown an ability to get through hard work with his rowing while playing footy all the way through,” Ogilvie said.
“He had a 16-tackle game this season so he loves the contest. He is very highly regarded by his coaches and teammates at Victoria Country and Ballarat so we are thrilled to have him.”
The draft period will conclude on Wednesday with the pre-season and rookie drafts from 2.30pm (ACDT).
PICK 17
Max Michalanney
Height: 191cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 26/2/2004
Club: Norwood
PICK 43
Billy Dowling
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 1/7/2004
Club: North Adelaide
PICK 50
Hugh Bond
Height: 185cm
Weight: 82kg
DOB: 25/9/2004
Club: GWV Rebels
