Western Bulldogs’ Bailey Dale on his path from fringe player to All-Australian

Pre-season matches are supposed to be used to mix things up, but one move at the Western Bulldogs in February had huge ramifications.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has transformed Bailey Dale into an All-Australian. Picture: Michael Klein

A pre-season gut-feel swap by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge helped turned Bailey Dale into an All-Australian and provided his team with a launching pad towards another premiership.

After managing just nine games in 2020 as a floater, not locked into any position, Dale revealed Beveridge switched him to defence for the final quarter of a pre-season practice match against Hawthorn this year.

The free-running and big-kicking Dale took to the new position like a duck to water and six months later, the 25-year-old was an All Australian and a key man in a finals campaign that becomes do-or-die against Brisbane this weekend.

“It came about very late in the pre-season. Bevo whacked me down there and the next week against Melbourne he stuck with me, and it sort of just flowed on from there,” Dale recalled ahead of Saturday night‘s semi-final showdown with the Lions.

“We had a little chat previous to that about where I was at and where I would be playing this year. He sort of said half-forward and wing again, but if the opportunity arises we might try something different.

“It did and it’s been a good change. I’m happy that I got the opportunity to go down there and give it a crack and made a good impression.”

From forward line to All-Australian.

Bailey Dale. What a season! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/alwl6Yn0Ua

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) August 26, 2021

Bailey Dale’s All-Australian is so much deserved. He’s really come on this year, possesses incredible pace and endurance, elite ball skills and evasive work, good mark overhead and a terrific finisher. Geez, the guy is flawless.

— Craig ❤️🤍💙 (@CraigPtyLtd) August 27, 2021

Dale said lessons learnt as a forward and a wingman helped with his transition too.

“You pick up different things playing in different areas of the ground. There were things defenders did to me which I didn’t like,” he said.

“You love space and if you don’t get that as a forward it’s hard to try and have an influence, so I stay on my man and run off when the opportunity presents.”

The Bulldogs have had to do things “the hard way” in the finals after missing out on a top four spot to the Lions by percentage.

It started with an elimination final win over Essendon in Tasmania, moves to Brisbane this week, then Adelaide to play Port Adelaide for a preliminary final and Perth for the grand ginal if they keep winning.

But with wins already on the Gold Coast, in Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this season, Dale said road trips held no fears for the Bulldogs.

“We’ve been pretty good on the road this year, spending more time together. Getting to know each other on a deeper level has been good for our group. We are starting to forge some strong bonds,” he said.

“We knew we were going to have to do it the hard way when we missed out on the top four, but we know we travel pretty well.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs’ Bailey Dale on his path from fringe player to All-Australian