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I like his attitude he has a strut
I like tgat he genuinely doesn't seemed stressed about hurting somebody that gets between him and the ball. Not many players, it's not enjoy-Zaine doesn't take great enjoyment out of hurting someone-but he doesn't sit around worrying about it either.
Rehab first, then contract talks for Libba
THE WESTERN Bulldogs will ramp up contract talks with free agent Tom Liberatore later in the season as he continues his recovery from a second knee reconstruction.
The premiership midfielder went down with the injury in round one after a strong pre-season following a disappointing 2017 campaign.
The 26-year-old falls out of contract at the end of the season, but the Dogs' new list manager Sam Power told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast that the club's focus has been Liberatore's recovery.
"We're having constant discussions with Tom, and the priority for Tom, which the club and his management agreed, was to really focus on his rehab in that initial phase," Power said.
"To Tom's credit he's attacked it really well so far, so we'll get to that in terms of deeper discussions at the appropriate time in the back half of the year."
Liberatore, who has played 117 games for the Dogs, missed the entire 2015 season with a reconstruction to his other knee. Power was reluctant to put a timeline on when discussions would intensify.
"We'll just keep assessing it. It's been purely [about] getting his rehab right, getting him feeling really comfortable and back into the club," he said.
"Obviously when he first did the knee he was away resting for a period of the time. He's back in at the club now and is getting into more training.
"It's one that, again, [we're] in constant communications with his manager and everyone's really comfortable with where it's at."
Liberatore is one of several free agents on the Dogs' list this year, alongside Luke Dahlhaus and Dale Morris as unrestricted agents. Jordan Roughead and Mitch Wallis qualify as restricted free agents.
Power provided an update on the status of the out-of-contract players on the Road to the Draft podcast, and also touched on the future of star Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli.
Bontempelli is signed through to the end of 2019, but initial talks have opened to extend his stay ahead of the start of next season.
"It's all been really positive at this stage. Obviously, they can take a while and given he isn't out until the end of next year, there's no real rush right at the moment.
"But in saying that it's all been really positive and all the indications from both parties have been really good," Power said.
Seems like we are finally taking a hard line with the players
Naughton re-signs
Promising young Western Bulldogs defender Aaron Naughton has extended his contract with the Club.
The 18-year-old, who has impressed in his debut season so far, will remain at the Bulldogs until at least the end of the 2020 season.
“We had no hesitation in working on a contract extension for Aaron, and we’re excited to get it locked away at this point of his debut season,” said Bulldogs General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.
“The way he has tackled the task of integrating into the club, working hard on the training track, winning a spot in the team and holding his own against some of the best forwards in the competition has been very impressive.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Aaron continue to improve as his career progresses at the Bulldogs.”
Naughton, from Western Australia, was taken with pick nine in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft and has made an immediate impact at VU Whitten Oval, making his debut in the opening round of the season.
He played eight straight matches as a key defender, averaging 11 disposals and four marks per game, with injury restricting him since Round 9.
The Club’s second choice in last year’s National Draft, Ed Richards, also extended his contract earlier this season.
I'd go 2 on current form, but the second with games played and form incentives
Mclean signs on
Western Bulldogs midfielder Toby McLean has signed a three-year contract extension to remain at VU Whitten Oval.
The 22-year-old, who was due to come out of contract at the end of the 2019 season, has committed to the Club until at least the end of the 2022 season.
McLean has been a shining light for the Bulldogs this season, playing every game so far and averaging 25 disposals and six tackles per game, as well as kicking nine goals.
He is second at the Club for average tackles, third for average disposals and clearances and fourth for average inside 50s and contested possessions.
“It’s fantastic for Toby and the Club that we were able to secure him for an extra three years,” said Bulldogs’ General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.
“The improvement we’ve seen in Toby’s game has been great to watch. He has established himself as a tough and courageous inside midfielder with an ability to impact in the forward half.
“Pleasingly for us, his best years are well and truly ahead of him, and we look forward to seeing him continue to improve his game.”
McLean is in his fourth season at the Bulldogs, after being selected with the Club’s first selection (pick 26) in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.
“I was really excited when they came to me and said they wanted to sign me. For it to be another four years, I’m stoked,” McLean said.
“The Club has really looked after me. The people around the place is what really drives you to be the player and the person that you are.”
Let's turn this into a long contract extension:
Quote:
"I'm so committed to the Western Bulldogs Football Club, for me that doesn't even enter my thought process."
Marcus Bontempelli on other potential offers through his manager
This morning on his stint on RSN radio. I will put up the audio as soon as I can.
Edit: listen here
Until he signs something words dont mean jack. I'll be pretty worried if nothing happens this season.
We should have learnt from the Ward debacle.
The comment about leaders leaving .. Well it worked for us when Griffen left.
I think Bont got it right with you can't use the same brush on everything, it's all individual needs and processes.
A player who knows he is good enough to get a contract against a player who doesn't know if he will get another contract are completely different scenarios also.
Good news, hopefully he can get his Achilles right.
Suckling re-signs
Matthew Suckling has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at Victoria University Whitten Oval until at least the end of the 2019 season.
The 30-year-old was lured from Hawthorn with a three-year deal back in October 2015, and notched his 50th game in Bulldogs colours in Round 11 this season against the Demons.
Suckling has averaged 21.9 disposals and 4.9 marks per game since arriving as an unrestricted free agent and has posted a career-high 24.5 disposals over 11 matches this season.
“Matthew is a key member of our group and we’re really excited to have secured him for another season,” said Bulldogs’ General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.
“He’s had some injuries in the past month but he was in career best form this year before that, and we’ve got no doubt that when he returns he will continue to have a major influence on games this year and going forward.
“As one of our more experienced players, Matt’s presence around the Club is really important for our young group as they continue to develop as players and people.”
Sucking is in his 10th AFL season after being rookie listed by Hawthorn with the 22nd pick of the 2007 AFL Rookie Draft.
He went on to play 102 games for the Hawks and was a member of their 2014 and 2015 premiership teams.
Fantastic news, he had a good year and deserves a contract. I had plenty of doubt about him last year but it just goes to show that even players of his age can continue to improve.
I wonder if his Achilles hadn't been mismanaged whether he would've got two years.
Happy to have him run again in 2019.
Good news
Call it a hunch if you prefer. He's 9 minutes off playing, now he probably won't play again this year. That to me strongly indicates a lack of sufficient management, aka mismanagement. That might not be a enough 'direct evidence' for some jurors, but I'm satisfied that there's enough 'circumstantial evidence' for me to return my jurors vote as guilty.
I'm really happy pig signed on for another season. He was probably our best player behind Macrae before his achilles shit itself.
Grumble grumble.
Hopefully he can recover , Brad Johnson retired because of an achillies.
Not sure where to post this news, but Ch7 reporting Redpath wants to retire.