By Jake Niall
Ruckman Tim English is set to turn his back on the prospect of heading home to Western Australia by signing a new deal with the Western Bulldogs.
Free agent and all-Australian small defender Caleb Daniel is also close to agreement on a new deal that will keep him at Whitten Oval, with the Dogs also keen to re-contract a number of other key players including Josh Dunkley and free agent defender Bailey Dale.
English has long been speculated as a potential recruit for West Coast and Fremantle, but the highly talented 207-centimetre ruckman - who has shown an ability to play forward, too - has decided to stick with the 2021 grand finalists and will sign a new deal soon, likely to be for three seasons.
Swan Tom Hickey and the Bulldogs’ Tim English compete in a ruck contest.Credit: AFL Photos
English, 24, held appeal for the WA clubs, but circumstances - and his happiness at the Bulldogs - have put him off the table for those clubs. West Coast’s disastrous season means the club is entering a list rebuild and would hold less appeal for a player about to come in to his prime, when he can sign a medium-length deal.
Caleb Daniel is one of the AFL’s elite users of the ball by foot.Credit: AFL Photos
The Eagles also have other list priorities, given that they have veteran star ruckman Nic Naitanui, 32, and have a need for high-end young midfield talent, which is most easily found with their imminent early pick in this year’s draft and probably in the 2023 draft’s first round.
As a source familiar with English’s situation observed, it makes more sense for him to re-sign with the Bulldogs for at least the next couple of years, given Naitanui’s presence and the reality that West Coast will be in a draft-based rebuild and that the Bulldogs have the playing list capable of contending for the premiership in the next two or three years.
Fremantle already have a long-term ruckman in Victorian Sean Darcy and the Dockers’ most pressing need is for a key position forward, rather than another ruckman.
The Dogs had arguably the most significant array of free agents and out of contract players in 2022, having secured their outstanding midfielder Jack Macrae, a free agent, on a five-year deal, before moving on to English and Daniel.
The Dogs also have Tom Liberatore as a free agent, but he is set to reach a trigger clause that would give him a one-year extension and keep the 30-year-old clearance inside midfielder at the club.
Dale, a 2021 All-Australian and mainstay of their defence, is in the same category as Daniel as a restricted free agent, meaning the Bulldogs could match any deal that he is offered and force a trade.
Dunkley, out of contract this year, sought a trade to Essendon in 2020 when he was under contract for a further two years and the Bulldogs held firm with a demand for two first round picks - terms that the Bombers were unwilling to meet.
English will be a free agent after his next contract, whether he signs for two or three years.
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