AFL 2018: Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Rhylee West impresses at Under-18 National Championships

VIC Metro coach Martin Allison and Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge have had their say about potential father-son selection Rhylee West.

VIC Metro coach Martin Allison has praised the ability of Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Rhylee West to deal with the pressure of following in his dad Scott’s footsteps.

Allison said West, one of Vic Metro’s standout performers throughout the AFL Under-18 National Championships, had been unfazed by the comparisons to his decorated father, who played 324 games for the Bulldogs.

“I don’t think it worries him,” Allison said.

“He’s a good level-headed young bloke and he wants to be at an AFL club.

“If it’s the Bulldogs, great. If it is somewhere else and it doesn’t happen that way, he’s happy to play anywhere.”

Martin Frederick of South Australia tries to evade Rhylee West. Picture: Getty Images.

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The Strathmore junior averaged 21 disposals during the carnival, gathering 25 possessions and nine clearances against WA and 28 disposals during Vic Metro’s win over the Allies. He was also rewarded with All-Australian selection.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has confirmed West is a player the club has been monitoring closely.

“We have had Rhylee and (Western Jets defender) Buku (Khamis) in our program, they spent some time with us over pre-season,” Beveridge said.

“They both had strong carnivals. It’s really early to speculate on how it might all unfold in the lead up to the draft. But obviously they are two players of keen interest to us.”

Rhylee West fires off a handball during the Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Getty Images.

Beveridge said both West and Khamis were likely to be drafted, but whether they landed at Whitten Oval would be a matter of when they were snapped up.

There have been suggestions the Bulldogs could be forced to part with their first pick in this year’s draft to land West after his outstanding championships, with some observers likening the contested-ball magnet to Melbourne captain Jack Viney.

The club traded its second pick in this year’s draft to Carlton during last year’s exchange period and could risk going into a draft points deficit under the father-son bidding system.

“I guess time will tell about the (Jack) Viney comparison,” Allison said.

“He’s a real competitor and he’s been really good for us.

“He just doesn’t put up with nonsense and is strong over the ball.”

West’s Calder Cannons teammates Jack Bytel (Aberfeldie) and Curtis Taylor (Keilor) also featured in last week’s 55-point defeat to national champion South Australia. Taylor showcased some of his tricks up forward, booting two goals from eight disposals, while Bytel finished with 13 possessions and two tackles.

Curtis Taylor’s ability inside 50 has made him a draft prospect. Picture: Getty Images.

Allison said the pair had enhanced their draft chances during the carnival.

He said Taylor, who was listed at 186cm, “plays a bit taller than he is”.

“He’s good on the ground, he’s good in the air and he will take a good player to keep him quiet,” Allison said.

The Vic Metro coach said Bytel’s professionalism would stand him in good stead at the elite level.

“He wins his own footy which is a really good trait to have. Jack works really hard on his game,” he said.

SA took out the national title after a 17.14 (116) to 9.7 (61) triumph over Vic Metro.