With all the fanfare surrounding Tom Boyd, it is easy to forget that teams generally line up with more than one key forward. While the teenage millionaire may well be the Western Bulldogs' saviour, he won't do it alone.
In 2014, the Western Bulldogs tried six genuine forward options 193 centimetres or taller. Liam Jones was the most frequently used, making 10 appearances. He's now at Carlton. Tom Williams played six games, but retired mid-season. The other four — Tom Campbell (seven games last year), Jack Redpath (three) , Ayce Cordy (one) and Jarrad Grant (four) — are all into at least their fourth season at Whitten Oval. Assuming that Boyd will be given every opportunity when fit, it can reasonably be said that this quartet is fighting for the chance to play second fiddle to the former Giant.
Based on Saturday's NAB Challenge game against Richmond, Redpath should be the early favourite.
His seven marks and two goals meant he not only outshone Boyd (three marks, one goal), he was also the most potent tall forward on the ground.
Having spent three years on the Dogs' rookie list before being promoted at the end of last season, Redpath, 23, was understandably chuffed after the game.
"It means everything. You sort of tough it out for three years, which is still the best time of my life but now just to have that opportunity to be around for NAB one, it's pretty exciting," he said in the rooms after his side's 22-point win.
"For some blokes it's not as big a deal, but for me it was, and to get my hands on a few it's been really good."
While both had stints up the ground, it was Redpath who generally stood deeper, and leading well, caused issues for Damien Hardwick's callow defence.
Redpath, 194cm and 99kg, looks to have the potential to form a dangerous tandem act with Boyd.
"We've done a fair bit of work me and Boydy. Obviously we've had the pre-season together. There's still a lot of work to be done I think of me and him really benefiting from each other, but I think today was a really good stepping stone for him and myself as well.
"Boydy was really good out there, he was strong in the contest, and he's just like myself, we've just got to provide that strong contest for our little guys, don't get outmarked, lay a tackle, just bring that intensity."
Redpath attributed much of his improvement to time spent at VFL level in 2014, and in particular the tutelage of the club's newly appointed VFL coach Ash Hansen, and the man he replaced, now head of development Chris Maple.
While he knows the job of booking a spot in the Dogs' team for the round-one clash against West Coast is not yet complete, Redpath can see the opening .
"Every week there's going to be spots up for grabs."
Redpath also said that midfielder Tom Liberatore had been in good spirits after the game, despite suffering a serious knee injury. Unfortunately for the Dogs, their worst fears materialised on Sunday.
