The Western Bulldogs and Luke Dahlhaus have suffered an early hiccup in contract talks
LUKE Dahlhaus has always signed his contract extensions with the Western Bulldogs early in the season. So what is taking so long this time? SAM LANDSBERGER goes inside negotiations.
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THE WESTERN Bulldogs are confident of retaining onballer Luke Dahlhaus despite an early hiccup in contract talks.
The Herald Sun understands the Dahlhaus camp is seeking a long-term contract as a reward for his eight years of service.
The Bulldogs would prefer to re-sign Dahlhaus on a shorter deal. The two parties have met twice and are yet to seriously discuss the financial component of his next contract.
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Dahlhaus, 25, becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but is a required player at Whitten Oval.
His status means Dahlhaus can walk to another club without the Dogs being given the opportunity to match a rival offer.
The ball magnet recently voiced his strong desire to play out his career at Whitten Oval.
“My manager and the club are still in talks, and it’s going to take a little time to get things done,” Dahlhaus said last month.
“But in saying that, the club is like my family now. I’ve been here eight years and I love it so much, so this is where I want to finish and play for the rest of my days.”
Dahlhaus qualifies for unrestricted free agency as a result of the mega contract Tom Boyd signed.
The Dogs significantly front-ended Dahlhaus’s current deal to accommodate Boyd’s salary.
Dahlhaus’s first year was his richest and he will take home the fewest amount of dollars in 2018.
That means he sits outside the club’s top 25 per cent of money earners this year, earning him unrestricted free agency.
Dahlhaus has traditionally recommitted early in the year but is happy to wait before inking his next deal.
Dahlhaus has not spoken to any other club and the durable midfielder has missed just six games since 2012.
Dahlhaus finished outside the top 10 in last year’s best-and-fairest for the first time since he became a regular in the Bulldogs team.
Dahlhaus made his debut in 2011 and then finished fourth in 2012, sixth in 2013, fourth in 2014 and 2015 and sixth in the 2016 premiership season before taking a tumble last year.
Dahlhaus received one coach’s vote in both the Round 3 and Round 7 wins this year.
The tough midfielder has only kicked 1.3 this season but collected 29 disposals in Saturday’s win against Gold Coast.
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