AFL 2024: Western Bulldogs star Tim English held back from contact drills for at least a further two weeks

Western Bulldogs big man Tim English continues to be held back from contact training, but the club is confident he will be fit for round 1.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Tim English of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round 24 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, on August 26, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

All-Australian ruck Tim English is expected to remain out of contact drills for another fortnight but the Western Bulldogs are confident he will be fine to play in round 1 as he deals with a medical issue.

The star big man has not taken part in contact drills since two weeks before Christmas and wasn’t part of match simulation on Monday.

He has now been out of contract training for five weeks, with much of that including the club’s Christmas break.

English has been taking part in fitness aspects of training and was running on Monday.

The Dogs labelled the problem as a “medical issue” and didn’t provide further detail when asked by this masthead.

English is expected back into full training by the end of the month and is not in doubt to play in round 1 against Melbourne on March 17.

The generally durable ruck has played an average of 19.8 matches over the last five seasons as he grew into one of the game’s best talls.

Named as starting ruck in the 2023 All-Australian side, English faces a big season ahead as he comes to the end of a two-year contract.

Tim English won’t be involved in contact drills for two more weeks. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

The West Australian is expected to land a lucrative new deal, which at age 26, could stretch beyond five seasons.

He is one of a number of Dogs that will be keenly watched this season, including Bailey Smith, who comes out of contract at the end of the year but will not play in 2024 due to a knee injury.

Forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is another Dog due a new contract.

Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton signed a monster eight-year extension in October.

The Dogs battled through a physical match simulation on Monday as Luke Beveridge’s side gets stuck into 2024.

Former Magpie Trent Bianco and Essendon-listed player Rhett Montgomery played in the match-sim, with both players signed to the Footscray VFL side for 2024.

The Bulldogs do not have a list spot open to use during the supplemental selection period (SSP) but could create one by placing Smith on the long-term injury list.