Lower, Bate train with the Dogs

Evasive outside runner with class and good goal sense.

Midfield wrecking ball Hrovat picks up possessions with ease and nearly every AFL club has shown interest in drafting him. Is he the next Sam Mitchell?

The goalkicking midfielder the Dogs desperately crave. Put serious work into his contested footy work this season.

Nick Lower could be heading to the Dogs. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

THE Western Bulldogs could strengthen their back half with delisted Fremantle defender Nick Lower, who trained under coach Brendan McCartney this morning.

Former Dee Matthew Bate, who the Dogs targeted in last year's trade period, also trained at Whitten Oval today.

Lower is a big chance to win a senior listing at the Dogs at the December 11 pre-season draft.

>> VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE: Pick Me videos of three prized Dogs draft picks

The 25-year-old was unlucky to be cut by the Dockers, with sources close to Lower tipping he would have been safe if Adam McPhee had announced his shock retirement before the delisting was made.

Lower played three games in an injury-hampered 2012 season, taking his career tally to 42 games.

He hit a major form spike at the back end of 2011, racking up 37 touches against Collingwood in a career-best effort.

Lower is considered the front-runner to land at the Dogs, with the club expected to use one selection in the pre-season draft and one in the rookie draft.

Dog draft pick on fast track to success

"We won't rule out taking at least one mature-age player," Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple said.

The Dogs offered a second-round pick for Bate last year but were told only pick No. 17, ultimately used on hard-nut Clay Smith, would satisfy the Dees as the deal broke down.

Bate was axed by Mark Neeld as part of a major Melbourne clean-out at the end of the season.

Champion VFL onballer Ben Duscher is also training at the Dogs and remains close to assistant coach Shannon Grant.

Duscher, who captains Bendigo Gold where Grant coached from 2010-11, is one of the prime second-tier midfielders and has drawn AFL interest the past two years.

You're reading an article about
Lower, Bate train with the Dogs
This article
Lower, Bate train with the Dogs
can be opened in url
http://aflnewstop.blogspot.com/2012/11/lower-bate-train-with-dogs.html
Lower, Bate train with the Dogs