By JARROD POTTER
WHITTEN Oval is now home to Dandenong Stingrays’ alumnus Bailey Dale after the wily midfielder/forward was selected in last week’s AFL National Draft.
Dale, 18, from Chelsea Heights, was the Bulldogs’ fourth selection at last Thursday’s draft – taken pick 45 – and had to sit back to give pause to the madness going on around him when his name was called out by recruiter Simon Dalrymple.
“I was just sitting at home with just the family and it was a bit overwhelming,” Dale said. “Everyone just started screaming and I was just sitting there and watching and was in a bit of shock and just sat there for a bit and just had a think about it.”
After flying under the radar for most of the season with Dandenong, Dale’s end to the TAC Cup season caught recruiters’ attention as he was elevated to the National Draft Combine in October.
To go from a hopeful chance to AFL-listed player in the blink of an eye was incredible for the former Edithvale-Aspendale footballer and he’s loving life at the Kennel and wants to sink his teeth into pre-season training.
“It’s weird – obviously it’s a bit surreal still, but the boys have really made me feel welcome and I can’t wait to get into training,” Dale said.
“Couple of days at the club… I’ve gotten to know a few of the players and starting to train a little bit… starting to sink in a lot more now than what it did on (last) Thursday night… I can’t wait to get into it.”
The sky’s the limit for 2015 but Dale won’t get ahead of himself as the call of the red, white and blue guernsey starts to beckon, but most of all, Dale is pleased to get a chance to play in his home state.
“I haven’t put any expectations on myself, but I haven’t put any limits either, so we’ll just see what happens and if all goes well, hopefully play a couple of games but we’ll see how we go,” Dale said.
“If you’re going to play AFL you could go anywhere, but obviously very happy to stay in Victoria and I think mum and dad are pretty happy as well and I feel pretty privileged to be playing here.”
The Western Bulldogs kick off their 2015 campaign with a NAB Challenge match against Richmond on Saturday 28 February.
