While there’s some optimism that the Bulldogs can hang on to Tim English and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who are out of contract, Bailey Smith’s future is still up in the air.
Insides and Outsides
Lachie Bramble (SSP, Hawthorn), Joel Freijah (No. 45 draft selection), James Harmes (trade, Melbourne), Jordan Croft (father-son, No. 15 draft pick), Aiden O’Driscoll (No. 55 draft pick), Ryley Sanders (No. 6 draft pick), and Lachlan Smith (No. 47 draft pick)
OUT
As for Josh Bruce, he is retired; Hayden Crozier, Mitch Hannan, Robbie McComb, Toby McLean, Tim O’Brien, Cody Raak, Roarke Smith, and Jordan Sweet (trade, Port Adelaide) are all on the delisted list.
hospital room
At the kennel, Bailey Smith is the big guy. The ACL he tore in December will keep the poster boy out of the 2024 campaign. Jack Macrae has been enduring pain in his hamstrings. Throughout the post-Christmas break, Alex Keath has been treating a knee ailment. After a horrific incident, Bailey Williams and Aiden O’Driscoll have been going through concussion protocols together.
Three urgent queries
Will the turmoil of the off-season affect the Dogs right away?
That’s the big unknown. The Western Bulldogs are the team that made the most significant adjustments to their football department. The club has been under intense scrutiny ever since it was eliminated from the playoffs the previous year, but Luke Beveridge’s adjustments may revitalize the Whitten Oval’s football department and playing group.
Can the Dogs keep the three big-name players who have no contract?
This year, Sam Power has a lot on his plate. Last October, Aaron Naughton was re-signed by the Bulldogs. They will now try to sign free agent Tim English, rockstar midfielder Bailey Smith, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, preferably by round one. The first two are seen as having greater confidence, but the last one looks to be one of the most interesting contract calls of 2024.
Is Sam Darcy all fired up?
Nothing has gone well for the No. 2 selection in 2021. Sam Darcy has only made seven senior games in his first two seasons due to a variety of unusual injuries. However, the tall utility will give the match committee some food for thought if they decide to choose Rory Lobb over him after securing a full preseason.
Monitor the watch.
It’s possible that Harvey Gallagher will make an unexpected round one debut. James O’Donnell, who played 12 games in a surprising rookie season, has been the biggest upgrade. James Harmes has been featured a lot lately after a slow start to the preseason.
In 2023, fantasy lock Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1,056,000) reached a completely new level of performance. As the finest midfielder in the game, Bontempelli broke triple figures for the sixth time with an outstanding 117, surpassing his previous career-high average of 108 in 2021. He is a Fantasy great because of his ability to routinely hit important stat lines like tackles, marks, and goals.
hit Ryley Sanders right away. After an outstanding first preseason thus far, the Tasmanian is in a good position to make his round one debut. Given that Jack Macrae is experiencing hamstring issues and Bailey Smith is out, Sanders is ready to move straight into the Bulldogs’ engine room. When the Rising Star judges cast their votes in September, expect the 2023 selection at number six to be a strong contender.
This year is significant for Luke Beveridge. Despite having the best record of any coach in Western Bulldogs history, he is signed till the end of 2025 and goes into 2024 as one of the most intriguing characters in the league. The 2016 Premiership coach now has a completely different looking group surrounding him after two reviews and a period of transition throughout the off-season. Will it enable him to reset the club and make a run at a second flag that he is in charge of?
Get a pass grade.
The Bulldogs haven’t won a championship since the preliminary final of 2021, having missed out on a game in September of last year. This year, especially with teams vying for All-Australian ruckman Tim English, they have to return to the finals.
Taylor Duryea, Liam Jones, and Alex Keath are the top 23 for 2024 B.
HB: Bailey Dale, James O’Donnell, and Ed Richards
C: Adam Treloar, Bailey Williams, and Marcus Bontempelli
HF: Caleb Daniel, Aaron Naughton, and James Harmes
F: Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and Rory Lobb
Foll: Ryley Sanders, Tom Liberatore, and Tim English
I/C: Nick Coffield, Rhylee West, Anthony Scott, Jason Johannisen, and Jack Macrae
Emerging are Ryan Gardner, Oskar Baker, Harvey Gallagher, and Sam Darcy.
