Player Contract Status

[F'scary]

He may have felt he owes the club who recruited him while has was going through rehab and also through his other injuries. He may also enjoy the club and the enviromnment.

Could also be an element of faith in his ability. If you are a young talented player who has yet to establish themselves as an AFL player, but are confident you will in the next two years, why would you sign a backup contract on likely less than $200K when by year 3 you think you'd be good enough to demand something like $400K plus?

Even if West Coast are offering more, say Dogs offer is $200K for 2 years, West Coast is $250K for 3, if Garcia thinks he could make the jump up to $400K by his third year at the dogs he is looking at $800K vs $750K for the same period, gets to stay in an environment he enjoys and with a club he feels part of.

Whether or not he should be signing the longest contracts offered to him with his injury history is a different matter though, although he can ask Roarke about whether the Dogs stick with fringe players they rate or not.

Fair enough.

[bornadog]

New deal for Dogs' son of a gun after breakout year

Rhylee West has signed a two-year deal to remain at the Western Bulldogs

​WESTERN Bulldogs young gun Rhylee West will remain at the Whitten Oval for at least two more years after re-signing with the club on Wednesday.

After being starved of opportunity across his first three seasons at the club, the 22-year-old played 14 games in 2022 to show why he was so highly rated in his draft year.

AFL.com.au can reveal the son of Western Bulldogs great, Scott West, has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him remain at the club until the end of 2024.

While most of the focus at The Kennel has been on the future of star midfielder Josh Dunkley – who is still yet to announce his decision amid approaches from Brisbane and Port Adelaide – West has also drawn some interest from rival clubs.

When Luke Beveridge dropped West ahead of the Dogs' crucial trip to Tasmania in round 23, there was a fear that West may have played his final game in the red, white and blue.

But while he hasn't been able to secure a permanent spot in the Western Bulldogs' engine room just yet, the Victorian proved damaging inside 50 through the middle part of the season, hitting the scoreboard with his own boot and via assists.

West produced a standout performance against Hawthorn in round 15 when he kicked 3.3 from 19 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six marks to earn seven votes in the AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player of the Year award.

[The Underdog]

Awesome news on Westy. Wonder if they dangled some of Dunkley’s midfield minutes as a potential carrot.

[EasternWest]

Good news.

[whythelongface]

Great news. Given his improvement this year it was concerning that him leaving the club was a possibility. TBH I was more concerned about losing West than Dunks.

[GVGjr]

I think the two year is an appropriate one as well. He's had a break out season but had a lapse in form later in the season. We will know how good he might be within the next 2 seasons.

[G-Mo77]

Out of Dunkley and potentially West leaving, I would have been more upset if West was to go. This is terrific news!!!

[Bullies]

Out of Dunkley and potentially West leaving, I would have been more upset if West was to go. This is terrific news!!!

Agree. He will be the midfield bull once Libber finishes up.

Good opportunity with Dunks going to get minutes in the midfield next year and build his tank.

[hujsh]

Awesome news on Westy. Wonder if they dangled some of Dunkley’s midfield minutes as a potential carrot.

Yeah I suspect this is pretty definitive proof the club considers Dunks gone (if more proof was needed).

West is a good fit for the mid/forward role since he has shown he can do the forward part of that role pretty well. Might start with the least midfield minutes of the main group but given injury, suspension or just basic father time here and there to other players should mean he gets plenty of opportunity to show what he can do in there.

Is suspect his main competition might be McLean

[josie]

Wonderful news regarding Rhylee West. Expect some supporters may have considered dragging out their pitchforks and heading down to WO if we had not signed him up.

I’m totally over Dunks circus and hope we end up with some good pick(s) we can turn into speedy, skilful player(s) and a younger decent KPD (not just Jones).

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Gold!

Very happy he is sticking by us. I recon he will be in for a huge pay day next contract negotiation

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Westy more than capable of stepping into the midfield role. And he will be more than capable of getting into the faces of the opposition.

[KT31]

Great news.

[Swoop]

No one has mentioned the fact that Rhylee's "form drop" actually coincided with a role change. He was on record as stating that he was playing a different role while Baz missed with his suspension. His opportunity and output reduced once Smith returned.

Hopefully there's a spot there with improvement and the loss of Dunkley.

[FrediKanoute]

No one has mentioned the fact that Rhylee's "form drop" actually coincided with a role change. He was on record as stating that he was playing a different role while Baz missed with his suspension. His opportunity and output reduced once Smith returned.

Hopefully there's a spot there with improvement and the loss of Dunkley.

Not sure it was Baz's return, but more Vander's and Bruce's return to the side. I thought they crowded out West.