The Western Bulldogs believe they got a bargain at Thursday night's AFL national draft in the form of Michael Talia whose grandfather Harvey Stevens was a member of the club's fabled 1954 premiership side.
The Bulldogs had Talia, a key defender from the Calder Cannons, pegged to go in the top 24 so they didn't think twice when he was still available to be claimed with the club's second selection overall, No.39.
"A key defender was certainly a need," said recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple of Talia whose older brother Daniel is two seasons into his AFL career with the Crows.
"We weren't going to make one up and if we didn't think he was good enough we wouldn't have picked him."
"We didn't think he was going to get through, but that five-percent chance came through."
"To get a key defender is something we've identified for a while but they're very hard to find."
"He can play on different types, a very good athlete, we're really happy to have him - and surprised."
Dalrymple said the attraction of acquiring a player with such a strong connection to the club had nothing to do with his selection.
"During one of the breaks, one of the guys said, 'if it's 50/50, do we go with the romance'," said Dalrymple.
"I said, 'no, it's a nice touch, but we'll take who we think will be the better player'."
Dalrymple said the Bulldogs went into the draft with a 'best-available' approach.
They believe they've picked up a ready-made replacement for GWS defector Callan Ward in the form of first-round selection Clay Smith, a nuggetty midfielder from the Gippsland Power.
"I was hearing that Fremantle was going to take him, but I thought that was a bit too obvious that they would come out and say it, although I think he would have suited Ross Lyon's game style" said Dalrymple.
"We're rapt to have him."
"His kicking needs a bit of work, but his contested footy is elite, his tackling is elite and his competitiveness."
"That hard edge is something that (coach) Brendan (McCartney) wants to be part of our club."