Zaine Cordy Biography

Zaine Cordy joins St Kilda as an unrestricted free agent on what is reported to be a three-year deal.

"While I loved my time at the Bulldogs and will forever be grateful for the opportunities they gave me, I'm confident the time is right for this next chapter of my career," Cordy said.

"I'm looking forward to meeting all my teammates and coaches after the break and getting stuck into a big pre-season."

Zaine Cordy is ruled out of this week's clash against Carlton after specialists confirmed a minor fracture to his frontal sinus.

A fractured forehead has Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy in doubt to return this season, but the damage isn't as bad as it could be.

Cordy, 21, was injured in the second quarter and went off the field under the blood rule after being on the end of an errant left boot from North Melbourne big man Ben Brown in the immediate aftermath of a marking contest.

"He's got a little fracture in his forehead," Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"It's just a bit of bad luck. I think the big fella Brown came down on him after a marking contest. We think he's OK."

Zaine Cordy signs a new three-year deal with the Bulldogs that will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.

"He has shown rapid improvement in the early stages of his career and we’re excited about what the future holds for him," Bulldogs recruiting general manager Sam Power said about Cordy.

"Zaine is dedicated to learning and improving his game all the time. He is a respected member of the playing group and we believe he is only going to improve as he gains more experience."

Zaine Cordy believes the time has come for him to step up as a leader in the Bulldogs' backlines.

"I'm not a new face anymore, so it's time to be a leader, use my voice more and be more demanding of my teammates," Cordy said.

"We're a pretty young backline, but if we stick to team structures, we have huge self-belief we can get it done, even without Dale and Easton down there."

Tom Boyd says a club-imposed suspension for a drunken altercation with teammate Zaine Cordy could be the "turning point" of his career.

"I was really disappointed in myself. Like any player that gets suspended all they want to do is get back out there and put a good performance out on the park," Boyd said.

"I suppose my only frustration was that I was a little uncertain when I'd be able to return.

"Once I did it was all systems go and pushing ahead, and trying to achieve as much as we could.

"Looking back it was a real turning point for myself."

Cordy, who also remained available to play in the VFL but was banned from playing seniors like Boyd, said the pair remained the best of mates.

"The club helped us and we're well past that now," Cordy said.

"We're still very good friends and we've moved on."

Western Bulldogs Tom Boyd and Zaine Cordy have been suspended indefinitely after clashing with each other in a drunken altercation that has been described as violent.

"The incident involved an altercation between Tom and Zaine, in which both players were affected by alcohol," a statement from the Bulldogs said.

"The club is strongly against any form of violent behaviour and is extremely disappointed in the actions of both players, particularly by the actions of Tom."

The Bulldogs have suspended Boyd and Cordy "until the club deems it appropriate for both to return" and fined Boyd $5000 for "the relevant unacceptable aspects of Tom's behaviour".

The club has also demanded the pair apologise and explain their conduct to their teammates and colleagues at the club, while Boyd will undergo "appropriate counselling".

"Tom and Zaine have accepted these sanctions, and they have all been implemented," the Bulldogs said.

"Additionally, Tom has volunteered a significant personal contribution of time and money to a not-for-profit organisation focused on the prevention of social violence.

"Tom and Zaine have committed to the club that there will be no repetition of such behaviour and that they will atone to their teammates and the club."

Zaine Cordy signs a two-year contract extension with the Western Bulldogs to remain at the club until the end of 2018.

"Zaine has adapted well to the AFL environment and has demonstrated some really encouraging signs as a young tall defender," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"We look forward to seeing him continue to flourish under [coach Luke Beveridge's] tutelage and the football program broadly."

Young Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy says veteran teammate Dale Morris has been a role model to him.

"Probably my biggest influence is Dale Morris, he's the person who took me under his wing when I first came to the club," Cordy said.

"Because we play pretty similar roles, he's been a pretty big help to me."

Zaine Cordy is being groomed to take over from ageing stalwart Dale Morris at the Bulldogs.

"At the moment the coaches see me as a third tall like Dale Morris, who can play tall and small," Cordy said.

"I try to be one of those lock-down defenders, but also develop my offensive game by giving a bit of run like Bob Murphy and Jason Johannisen.

"And one of the things we preach at the Bulldogs is to go for your marks and do it as much as possible."

Zaine Cordy makes his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs at Docklands Stadium with 1 disposals (a handball) and 2 tackles in a 23-point win over North Melbourne.

Zaine Cordy will miss the start of the 2015 season after having a shoulder reconstruction.

"Zaine had some instability in his left shoulder when he was drafted and after a short period rehabilitating the area, the club decided that to avoid further damage to the shoulder, the best approach was to intervene surgically," Bulldogs' general manager of football Graham Lowe said.

The Western Bulldogs select Zaine Cordy with pick No.62 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"Zaine has come through the father-son program. On father-son bidding day we couldn't believe Zaine was available at that pick," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"He has played on some great talls, Paddy McCartin and Peter Wright during the year. McCartin rated Zaine his toughest opponent when they played.

"He's got agility as well so can play on smaller types."

When the Western Bulldogs headed to last month's father-son and academy bidding meeting at Etihad Stadium, they were prepared to part with their second-round selection (at the time No.25) for Zaine Cordy.

Cordy, the son of former Footscray defender Brian and the younger brother of ruckman Ayce, had been nominated as a father-son selection by the club.

But as the bidding meeting went on, it took until selection No.51 for a bid to come, from Fremantle. The Bulldogs matched it with their next pick in the fourth round and Cordy's football future was sealed.