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.
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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.”