Stewart Crameri’s career in limbo as Western Bulldogs sort out post-season priorities

STEWART Crameri could emerge as a left-field trade target as the Western Bulldogs chase Jake Lever and ward off rival interest in another forward.

STEWART Crameri could emerge as a left-field trade target after being kept in limbo about his future as his contract expires.

Crameri is yet to be offered a new deal by the Dogs after returning from a 12-month ban only to have his season ruined by a hip issue.

The 29-year-old missed the club’s premiership victory then after playing two AFL games and three VFL games had season-ending hip surgery.

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He has been told he will have to wait until the end of the season as the club sorts through its recruiting priorities.

The versatile and athletic forward kicked between 30-37 goals every year between 2011-2015 before his latest dramas.

He can play as a lead-up forward or high half forward who beats his opponent back to goal.

Will Stewart Crameri be at the Western Bulldogs next season? Picture: Michael Klein

The former Bomber is kicking without pain and expected to be able to complete a full pre-season.

The Dogs are attempting to lure Adelaide defender Jake Lever and also hope to ward off outside interest in uncontracted forward Jack Redpath.

Redpath is being courted by Carlton, with rivals excited by the way his hard and direct leads straighten up the Dogs when they are on song.

The uncertainty over Lever and their salary cap means the likes of Crameri might have to wait for some time before getting a solid decision on their future and contract worth.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke with optimism about Crameri’s future in May but an offer is yet to eventuate.

“The club is definitely dedicated to Stewy, and we see his future at the moment beyond this year, but we need to work together towards the end of the year deadline to make sure that happens,” Beveridge said.

Western Bulldogs vice-captain Easton Wood at training.

The Dogs were able to secure out-of-contract star Jason Johannisen and extend Easton Wood’s contract to 2020.

Wood would be favoured to accept the captaincy from retiring captain Bob Murphy given he was last year’s premiership captain.

But Marcus Bontempelli looms as a future captain given his leadership skills and another brilliant year for the Dogs.

Bontempelli turns 22 in November and would be the youngest captain in the AFL, so the Dogs might decide 2018 is too early.

The Dogs could also decide to make them co-captains to give Bontempelli time to transition into the role.

Wood was surprised to be named vice-captain last year then thrust into the captains role in Round 6 when Murphy went down.

He won huge plaudits internally for his role as acting captain, admitting last year he had been shocked to realise he was about to be captain.

“I was only thinking about Bob when (the injury) happened, like everyone was,’’ he said.

“I didn’t really think about what would come next. But even when I became vice-captain at the start of the year I never thought, there might come some point where I’m captain.”