Caleb Daniel snares Round 4 Rising Star nomination, eighth Western Bulldog since 2013
THE Western Bulldogs’ shrewd recruiting has received another tick with Caleb Daniel’s sparkling form winning the Round 4 Rising Star nomination.
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THE Western Bulldogs’ shrewd recruiting received another tick last night with little man Caleb Daniel’s sparkling form winning the Round 4 Rising Star nomination.
Several clubs discounted the ball magnet due to his 168cm build but the Bulldogs ensured he became the shortest player drafted since Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore in 1985.
The Dogs pounced at No. 46 in 2014, the selection Carlton parted with for forward Liam Jones.
Liberatore’s son Tom mentors Daniel and his prize last night delivered the Bulldogs their eighth Rising Star nomination since 2013 — ranked No. 1 in the AFL.
Emerging star Marcus Bontempelli finished runner-up in the 2014 count while Mitch Wallis placed on the podium in his second season.
The Dogs fielded a slightly younger side than Carlton on Saturday night but cruised to victory and coach Luke Beveridge praised Daniel’s influence in the first half.
“He’s become a really important player for us,” Beveridge said.
Daniel made a name for himself last week when he was shifted onto superstar Sam Mitchell in a move which swung the Round 3 epic the Bulldogs’ way.
“It was an honour to play on him, I’ve looked up to him for a fair while,” Daniel said.
“I don’t really remember too much. I just got told halfway through the second to go to him, work off him and see if you can get the footy as well as be that defensive player on him.”
AFL legend Wayne Carey said Daniel was blessed with a “brilliant football brain” during the clash while the South Australian said his diminutive height hadn't fazed him since ace recruiter Simon Dalrymple called his name.
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“There’s disadvantages and advantages. I’ve never really thought too negatively about it, it’d be nice to be 6’2” and 80kgs but that’s something I won’t be ever.”
Dalrymple said the Daniel’s supreme running power and sharp skills outweighed the impact of his height.
“It’s not so much height, it’s vertical jump it’s arm span it’s how he wins the ball (and) uncontested possessions,” he said.
Daniel grew up idolising West Coast’s 2006 premiership midfield and still sports the same helmet his mum purchased before his junior career began more than a decade ago.
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