Player Contract Status

[jazzadogs]

He is 23. With the age profile of our midfield, we don't really havea choice. We have not been able to attract any midfield talent to the club and our draft hand has been compromised by Jamarra/Darcy/Croft.

We really need Sanders to be an A Grade 200+ player.

Yeh I don't disagree that Garcia's age and skills help our list. I was more comparing to McNeil in the 'garcia is clearly worth more than two years, we disrespected him by offering less' chat.

McNeil is also 23. He's played 54 games for 25 goals.

Garcia is 23, has played 31 games, 13 goals, ave 12 disposals and only twice had over 20 disposals.

All I'm saying is neither of them are THAT good, and 1-2 year deals were appropriate offers for them. Garcia got offers from other clubs and we bumped his up. I think that's good business.

[bornadog]

[azabob]

Charlie Clarke has been delisted.

[bulldogtragic]

Charlie Clarke has been delisted.

Kept for Keath?

FMD.

[bulldogtragic]

That’s a big miss for Milesi.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Is it possible we'll still retire Keath?

Don't mind letting Clarke go, but if we keep Keath, that's a dumb decision.

[bulldogtragic]

Is it possible we'll still retire Keath?

Don't mind letting Clarke go, but if we keep Keath, that's a dumb decision.

I would’ve thought we’d announce it if it were happening. I’m genuinely dumbfounded if we don’t retire him after we recruited Lobb to take his spot.

[soupman]

Surely he's gone, but is worthy of his own announcement separate from Clarke, even if he isn't retiring.

[GVGjr]

Is it possible we'll still retire Keath?

Don't mind letting Clarke go, but if we keep Keath, that's a dumb decision.

I kept thinking we were waiting for the right time to announce Keath's retirement but it doesn't seem we are going to push him out.
I feel for Clarke and I do hope he works his way back onto a senior list.

[josie]

I’m surprised club is starting to be more ruthless. I just didn’t see Clarke making it. Hope he can earn another go through vfl or rookie list for another club. To my eye he isn’t quick or crafty enough for a small forward and not a reliable goal kick either.

Let’s hope Arty blossoms, McNeill can kick straight and that club can recruit a skilled small forward.

[Hotdog60]

We might have a small forward in mind in the draft.

[azabob]

WESTERN Bulldogs key defender James O'Donnell has signed a contract extension that ties him to the Whitten Oval until the end of 2027.

The 22-year-old wasn't out of contract until next October, but the Bulldogs have moved early to reward the former cricketer with a new deal, ahead of a busy year for the list management team.

O'Donnell joined the Bulldogs as a Category B rookie last April and has since played 26 games in the red, white and blue.

The Victorian played 12 games in his first season after making his debut against Carlton in round nine – just 35 days after joining the club – after making the decision to switch codes over summer.

O'Donnell missed the start of the 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury but showed signs of growth as a key defender across the season, overcoming concussion issues late in the season to play in the elimination final loss to Hawthorn.

Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power will now turn his attention to securing the signatures of the three crucial out-of-contract players in 2025: Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Sam Darcy.

Adam Treloar's first contract at the club also expires at the end of next season with the 2024 All-Australian midfielder expected to sign an extension for 2026 in the coming months.

Clubs have been scouring the country – and beyond – for potential Category B rookies in recent times, especially players like O'Donnell who have previously played the sport.

Collingwood added Wil Parker last February and reaped the rewards last year with the former Eastern Ranges player managing five games for Craig McRae's side, after walking away from a cricket career that led to him playing for Victoria at Sheffield Shield level and for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

Hawthorn signed former Gold Coast Academy member Matt Hill last month after the Northern Territorian spent the past handful of years playing rugby league in development squads for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.

The Hawks have also signed 209cm former NBL 1 basketballer Jaime Uhr-Henry as a Category B rookie.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1255355/...looms-for-dogs

[bulldogtragic]

You reckon the editor got the story from the journo, and then said something like ‘not bad, but where’s the big club angle on this bulldog good story?’

[azabob]

You reckon the editor got the story from the journo, and then said something like ‘not bad, but where’s the big club angle on this bulldog good story?’

I reckon so. I actually considered do I bother including the last half of the article!!

The report Josh Gabelich is allocated to the bulldogs "desk" and is actually good at what he does.

One of the few jurno's who you can trust.

[Axe Man]

O’Donnell & Bramble sign on at Dogs

A pair of Bulldogs defenders have re-signed ahead of next season, with James O’Donnell and Lachy Bramble extending their commitment to the red, white and blue.

O’Donnell, who was already contracted for next year, has pledged his future to the Bulldogs with a two-year extension until the end of 2027. Meanwhile, Bramble has been rewarded for playing every game of the 2024 campaign, signing with the Club until the end of 2026.

The 22-year-old O’Donnell has played 26 games at senior level since debuting in Round 9, 2023, and has since been tasked with defending some of the competition’s best forwards.

A third-generation VFL/AFL player, he follows grandfather Kevin and father Simon who represented St Kilda during the 1940s and 1980s respectively.

Rebounding defender Bramble, 26, finished seventh in the Club’s best and fairest this season, averaging 18 touches and 370 metres gained per game.

Bulldogs GM of List Management and Recruiting, Sam Power, was excited to lock the duo in for multiple seasons.

“James has shown significant growth since coming into our program 18 months ago,” Power said.

“He has played important roles on good players in defence, displaying athleticism and competitiveness across a variety of opponents.

“Lachy hasn’t put a foot wrong since crossing from Hawthorn - a top ten finish in the Charles Sutton Medal and consistent performances throughout the year has been pleasing for him.

“Both players are great characters and have become popular members of the locker room over their time at the Bulldogs.”