Caleb Daniel closes in on new three-year deal with Western Bulldogs

Jon Ralph, Herald Sun

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Caleb Daniel is closing in on signing a new three-year deal at the Western Bulldogs as the club builds towards its next premiership.


The Herald Sun understands Daniel could sign that deal as early as next week as Luke Beveridge’s decision to turn the 168cm midfielder into a small defender pays dividends.


Daniel’s deal will take him through to free agency, with the premiership player thriving since being pushed down back last year.


Champion Data rates him the fourth-best kick in the competition behind only West Coast’s Shannon Hurn, Geelong’s Mitch Duncan and Eagle Lewis Jetta.


Daniel constantly chooses tough options under heavy pressure as a small defender and yet still releases teammates into space.


On pure retention rate — successfully hitting a target — he ranks eighth in the competition, with Hurn, Duncan and Geelong’s Tom Stewart leading that category.


Daniel’s signature will take another priority signing off the club’s list, having secured Aaron Naughton until 2024 earlier this season.


Josh Dunkley has an offer in front of him and Tom Liberatore’s continued strong form will assure him of a contract extension likely to be a multi-year deal.


Coach Luke Beveridge will also sign a new deal in the back-end of this year, having been given assurances by president Peter Gordon and CEO Ameet Bains he will be secured past 2020.


The Dogs already had ample cap space entering the season after striking out on Hawks midfielder Chad Wingard.


The mid-season retirements of Liam Picken and Tom Boyd gives them massive cap space for 2020 as well as options at Monday’s mid-season draft.


Picken’s retirement had been expected given his concussion issues, but Boyd has given up between $1.5-$2 million of earnings from his front-ended deal.


It means the Dogs have the cap space to secure a free agent as well as make a decision on trading their draft hand — currently pick Nos. 7 and 25 — for established players.


Wingard will surely prove himself a star again, but the Dogs would have had to hand over their top-10 pick or use it in some way in a trade for the Port Adelaide mid-forward.


Instead they were able to secure this week’s Rising Star nominee Bailey Smith, who looks every bit a 200-game player.


He has played all nine games but his breakout performance came against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, winning coaches votes for his 28-possession, five clearance, three-tackle game.

great to hear. what a ripper he is.

Love it! Excellent to hear this news.

Dunkley has an offer.

Good.

Great news, love Caleb's football smarts.

Career best form this year, an absolute no brainer to sign him before he gets his likely AA this year. Also glad to see Dunkley has an offer on the table because I can imagine that Essendon in particular would be throwing around a godfather offer for him.

Bevo also about to have a new offer

What a craftsman. Love what he brings to this side.
Simon Dalrymple is worth a cheer. Brought great players to us, taking risks other recruiters would not have taken.

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Bevo also about to have a new offer

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Good.

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Bevo also about to have a new offer

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Why? He's contracted for another 18 months. The team isn't flying or anything outstanding. We re-contracted BMac early and it cost us a mint. Surely the lesson from that is wait and see until next year. The side may be on track to go backwards on the ladder three years running, whilst his side imploded after the premiership despite talent and youth. If he's performing next year we re-sign him. This isn't a criticism, but how many clubs would make a Godfather offer between now and the preseason next year? I'd be a little disappointed to see us do this now.

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Originally Posted by bulldogtragic

Why? He's contracted for another 18 months. The team isn't flying or anything outstanding. We re-contracted BMac early and it cost us a mint. Surely the lesson from that is wait and see until next year. The side may be on track to go backwards on the ladder three years running, whilst his side imploded after the premiership despite talent and youth. If he's performing next year we re-sign him. This isn't a criticism, but how many clubs would make a Godfather offer between now and the preseason next year? I'd be a little disappointed to see us do this now.

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Agree with this, it's a good measured response to where Bevo is at. He's clearly a good coach and can make the tough calls like his dad Clarko, but he's gotta become more tactile and I'd want to see some evidence (of either flexibility or him being 100% correct) before an extension.

If we have a strong finish to the year, winning more than we lose, and Caleb keeps performing the way he has been, he will poll very well in the Brownlow and our B&F. He is the sort of player umpires really admire. Plays the ball, really courageous and never demonstrates.