Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains has provided an update on Josh Dunkley’s contract status.
Bains has revealed the Bulldogs, Dunkley and the player’s manager Liam Pickering held “really productive” talks over a new deal earlier this week.
The Dogs chief is increasingly confident the 25-year-old will remain at Whitten Oval beyond 2022.
“There’ve been some really productive meetings between Sam (Power) and our list management team with Josh and Liam Pickering earlier in the week,” Bains told SEN’s Whateley.
“We’re probably a lot more confident now with getting a deal done over the coming weeks too.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund reported earlier on Thursday morning that talks on a new contract have ramped up between Dunkley’s management and the Bulldogs.
Talks on a new contract have ramped up between Josh Dunkley’s management and the Western Bulldogs. Now appears highly likely to stay and was perhaps always going to take the longest to negotiate among the glut of out of contract Dogs players.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) July 13, 2022
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The other big-name out-of-contract player the Bulldogs are looking to lock away is Bailey Smith.
Bains says the club is closing in on a new deal for the 21-year-old.
“I think we’ve spoken about Bailey before and not being too far away,” Bains said.
“Part of the delay in finalising that has been waiting for him return to play and let that be his sole focus, which will obviously occur tomorrow night.
“We anticipate that will get tidied up pretty quickly between Sam Power and his manager Paul Connors.”
The Dogs will regain Smith for Friday night’s must-win clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Smith served a four-match suspension – receiving two weeks for headbutting and a further two for conduct unbecoming.