Player Contract Status

[Axe Man]

DOGS DEFENDER HITS TRIGGER

IT HAS been a busy few weeks for Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power with Tim English, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale all signing on the dotted line.

Bailey Smith and Josh Dunkley will now be the major focus in the closing stages of the season, but one name that can also be removed from the list is Alex Keath.

AFL.com.au understands the key defender has triggered an extension for next year.

The 30-year-old signed a three-year deal with an option for a fourth season when the Western Bulldogs beat St Kilda to lure him from Adelaide at the end of 2019.

Keath played his 50th game in red, white and blue when the Dogs defeated Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium last Friday night, after playing 30 games for the Crows.

The former first-class cricketer has proven to be a very astute buy, finishing sixth in the Charles Sutton Medal in 2020 and 2021, holding down a key defensive spot in a side bereft of options down there.

Aside from Smith and Dunkley, the Western Bulldogs also have Jason Johannisen, Josh Schache, Taylor Duryea, Mitch Wallis, Robbie McComb and Rhylee West among the players without deals for 2023. – Josh Gabelich

[GVGjr]

Good pick-up Axe, that means Smith, Dunks, JJ and West are the main targets.

[azabob]

DOGS DEFENDER HITS TRIGGER


AFL.com.au understands the key defender has triggered an extension for next year.

azabob understands that afl.com.au has been reading Axe Man's posts from last week suggesting Keath has triggered a contract extension for 2023.

[azabob]

Good pick-up Axe, that means Smith, Dunks, JJ and West are the main targets.

GVGjr what is your gut feel? Do we retain all four, retain three or retain only two?

[GVGjr]

GVGjr what is your gut feel? Do we retain all four, retain three or retain only two?

JJ isn't a flight much of a flight risk in my opinion so a deal should be struck
Smith is the priority. Dunks needs to flag his intentions and West should be a lower lever priority.

I think we can get all of them over the line, Dunkley's reluctance so far might be problematic but it opens up a whole lot of scenario's.

[azabob]

JJ isn't a flight much of a flight risk in my opinion so a deal should be struck
Smith is the priority. Dunks needs to flag his intentions and West should be a lower lever priority.

I think we can get all of them over the line, Dunkley's reluctance so far might be problematic but it opens up a whole lot of scenario's.

Rightly or wrongly I'd be comfortable retaining 3 and losing Dunkley.

Hopeully JJ has some goodwill towards the club considering the faith, term and $ we showed him last time around.

[Bulldog4life]

Rightly or wrongly I'd be comfortable retaining 3 and losing Dunkley.

Hopeully JJ has some goodwill towards the club considering the faith, term and $ we showed him last time around.

Personally I wouldn't be comfortable losing Dunks. A loss that would come back and bite you on the bum.

[azabob]

Personally I wouldn't be comfortable losing Dunks. A loss that would come back and bite you on the bum.

B4L I do tend to agree, but I wouldn't overcommit $ wise to keep him.

[Bulldog4life]

B4L I do tend to agree, but I wouldn't overcommit $ wise to keep him.

Understand. Hopefully a decent deal, the pull of our success and his good buddy Adz will be enough to get him over the line. He will be our bull in the middle when Libba finally hangs up his boots ....hopefully a long time to go as Libba seems more sprightly than ever.

[Swoop]

Jon Ralph reporting the Dogs are into Lobb for 1.5 million over 3 years. Thoughts?

[GVGjr]

Jon Ralph reporting the Dogs are into Lobb for 1.5 million over 3 years. Thoughts?

That sounds a reasonable number. With Bruce coming back it begs the question of what happens with the development of Marra and Schache?

I don't quite get why Freo couldn't match that.

[soupman]

That sounds a reasonable number. With Bruce coming back it begs the question of what happens with the development of Marra and Schache?

I don't quite get why Freo couldn't match that.

I don't think they want to, especially if they are into Jackson.

[Grantysghost]

Jon Ralph reporting the Dogs are into Lobb for 1.5 million over 3 years. Thoughts?

Do it for that.

[GVGjr]

I don't think they want to, especially if they are into Jackson.

Wouldn't that mean he spends more time forward?
Darcy and Jackson splitting the ruck duties and Hackson and Lobb up forward gives them some marking power.

[Swoop]

I'm torn. He's a tease and people tend to focus on what he could be as opposed to what he actually produces.

On the other hand, he has the ability to immediately offer support to both English and Naughton which is much needed. The concern surrounds our structure with Bruce, Naughton, Lobb plus Marra and Darcy.