AFL Grand Final: Brian Cordy hoping son Zaine can hold his spot
Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy is on the selection edge, but father Brian, who played in 124 games for Footscray, is hoping his son can have a shot at becoming a two-time premiership player.
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Former Footscray player Brian Cordy is hoping son Zaine can avoid being a hardluck story of this year’s grand final as the Western Bulldogs face a selection squeeze.
Cordy has played 18 of a possible 25 games this season and was able to help shutdown Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon in the preliminary final win on Saturday night, but is facing a nervous wait on his grand final fate.
Injured key defender Alex Keath is tipped to make a return from a hamstring injury, leaving the Bulldogs with a decision to make: can he play alongside Cordy and Gardner or does one of those two need to make way.
Cordy played the final 17 home-and-away games of the year but missed the elimination final win over Essendon because of illness, replaced in the side by Gardner.
What might help Cordy’s cause is that the Bulldogs will need to stop Melbourne targets Ben Brown, Tom McDonald, Bayley Fritsch, Luke Jackson and captain Max Gawn.
Brian, who played in 124 VFL games in the red, white and blue, said he hoped Zaine’s form would help his cause.
“As I always say to the kids and everyone else, you don’t pick the teams, you just play as a professional footballer,” Brian said.
“If you’re selected it’s fabulous, if you’re not, you’re part of the team in supporting those who are on the ground.
“Look, he did really well I thought last week against Charlie Dixon so didn’t do his chances any harm.
“It’s very much about what the coaches are feeling and the opposition and who they the match up best.”
Cordy would be one of nine players remaining from the 2016 triumph if he is named.
Brian said it will be mixed emotions when the family watch on from their Bellarine Peninsula home hoping the Bulldogs can clinch their third premiership and second in five years.
“I’m genuinely excited that they’re getting that chance to play in the grand final, but disappointed that we’re not going to be able to get over to WA to be part of it,” he said.
“I think Zaine would love to have some family there, but I’ve got a few old teammates that are going to catch up with him.”
Cordy was taken as a father-son selection in the 2014 draft and has since played 103 games.
Brian believed the Bulldogs would be a “real chance” against Melbourne, which is hoping to end a 57-year flag drought.
“He’s 24, played over 100 games, got one premiership and another chance to play in another grand final,” he said.
“As a footballing family, we’re extremely proud.
“It’s great to see the Dogs, who’ve had so limited success for a long period of time, and as a past player, it’s great to see them up there and contending once again.”
Originally published as AFL Grand Final: Brian Cordy hoping son Zaine can hold his spot
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