Young blood waits in wings for Dogs

THE Western Bulldogs will today consider blooding the youngest player in the AFL – Lewis Young.

Young, 18, is in the mix for Sunday’s clash against Carlton at the MCG as the underperforming premiers search for some much-needed spark.

Young was named an emergency in last week’s loss to Adelaide and was only eligible for last year’s draft by 11 days.

The 197cm former basketballer was taken at No.49 – the pick received from St Kilda in the Koby Stevens trade – and the swingman has been a standout playing in defence for Footscray.

The Dogs must replace vice-captain Easton Wood (suspension) but are hopeful skipper Bob Murphy will recover from a hamstring strain.

Young took 10 marks and had 25 possessions against Sandringham on Sunday, and was named in Footscray’s best for the third time in four matches.

That run included a bestafield performance against Casey as Young kept Melbourne full-forward Sam Weideman to one goal.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge has form showing advanced faith in his draftees.

Beveridge blooded an astonishing 12 debutants in his first 32 games as coach, with five of those playing in last year’s premiership.

The Dogs have won seven of their past 10 games featuring a debutant under Beveridge.

While ruckman Tim English has been the only debutant this season, that is because the Dogs decided to load up on talls at last year’s national draft.

The athletic Young clocked an impressive 2.97 sec for the 20m sprint in last year’s draft combine and also impressed in the vertical jump.

“Lewis Young is a boy that we see playing in the three parts of the ground,” Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple said on draft night.

“He’s played mainly as a forward and has pinch hit in the ruck, but we also see him playing in defence. We felt he’s got some potential as a key forward or defender.”