Essendon would have their Sam Draper replacement if not for a twist of fate more than 50 years ago.
Cooper Duff-Tytler is considered the best big man prospect in next month’s AFL draft, and his playing style is likened to competition stars Luke Jackson and Tom De Koning. Like Jackson, the 18-year-old also represented Australia in basketball at international level.
Cooper Duff-Tytler is tipped to be a top-five pick in next month’s AFL draft.Credit: Getty Images
But instead of potentially becoming a Bomber and helping cover for new Brisbane Lions ruckman Draper, Duff-Tytler is strongly linked to one of West Coast’s two opening selections.
Duff-Tytler’s grandparents emigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia in the 1970s, but it was only after arriving that his father was born, so he does not qualify for Essendon’s next-generation academy.
“My grandparents were born and raised in Sri Lanka, and they moved to Melbourne two years before dad was born,” the 18-year-old told The Age.
“If they had stayed there for an extra two years and had dad over there, then I’d probably be in Essendon’s NGA.”
Duff-Tytler’s Calder Cannons teammates Adam Sweid and Hussien El Achkar were part of the Bombers’ NGA and are set to be in the red and black next year, joining another ex-Cannon, Isaac Kako.
There is still some chance Essendon could draft the 201-centimetre ruck-forward, whether by trading for a higher pick or in the unlikely event both the Eagles and Tigers overlook him with the first four selections, where a bunch of academy and father-son bids will almost certainly be lodged.
The Bombers have plenty of intel on Duff-Tytler, who spent time training with them in the pre-season before playing a game for the club’s VFL team.
Top draft prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler could have been in Essendon’s NGA program.Credit: Getty Images
That match could be important for his draft stocks. A common recruiting query about Duff-Tytler is based on his height and the role he will play in the AFL, including whether he can develop his contested marking.
Is he a ruck-forward, or a forward-ruck – and can he be effective in attack? Duff-Tytler went some way to answering that question with three goals for the Bombers’ reserves.
One of them was an impressive dribble goal where he showed off his mobility and athleticism. Scouts who spoke to this masthead noticed an extra pep in his step, as if to say, ‘Don’t forget about me and what I can do’.
“You get talked about as a prospect – everyone does in their top-age year – and a lot of people were questioning whether I could play forward or not,” Duff-Tytler said.
“I didn’t think I really had much opportunity to show that I could, and that was the first time I played mainly as a forward, and got consistency in that role throughout a game. I think it was important for me to show that I do have that side to my game as well.”
Duff-Tytler (left) can impact the game as a ruckman and forward.Credit: Getty Images
Duff-Tytler was part of Australia’s triumphant under-16 Asian Cup championship basketball squad two years ago, alongside NBA draft prospect Dash Daniels, who plays for NBL side Melbourne United and is the brother of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson.
Daniels starred with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 79-76 win over New Zealand in the final, while Duff-Tytler chipped in with six points and four boards.
One of their teammates was Indy Cotton, who also turned his back on basketball to sign as a category B rookie with Adelaide in August.
“It was very tough [to quit basketball]. I’d poured about three years of my life into basketball, like full-time,” Duff-Tytler said.
Dash Daniels was one of Duff-Tytler’s Australian under-16 teammates at the Asian Cup two years ago. Credit: Getty Images
“I didn’t put much into footy when I was 14, 15, 16, and a lot of my time went into basketball – and I had so many amazing experiences and relationships through that, playing for Vic Country and Australia. But I really enjoyed going back to footy at the end of last year.
“To give myself the best opportunity to play professional sport, I thought it was best to put all my time into one sport. I couldn’t imagine giving up footy – I just love it too much.”
Duff Tytler knows he will be drafted, and with a high pick, but it is guesswork beyond that.
Four clubs – West Coast, Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne – share the first eight selections, and the teenage rising star is unfussed if he has to pack his bags to head across the country, even if it means eating his nan’s curry dinners far less often.
“It’d be pretty special to be recognised as the No.1 pick. There have obviously been a lot of good No.1 picks in recent history,” Duff-Tytler said.
“But I’d be happy to go anywhere to play AFL footy. It would be a dream come true. If that’s going to Perth; I’m more than happy to move there. I think I’d love it.”
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