Buku Khamis’ decision to re-sign with the Western Bulldogs has been questioned by former club star Adam Cooney, who believes the versatile tall is better off out of Whitten Oval.
The Bulldogs announced Khamis’ new one-year deal on Friday, taking him off the trade table. The 23-year-old only played one game under Luke Beveridge in 2023 but was an important target in the reserves, kicking 41 VFL goals as the Bulldogs pushed onto Semi Final.
Since joining the Dogs in 2018, Khamis debuted in 2021 and has played 10 AFL games.
Speaking to the new deal, the 190cm swingman suggested his ambition was to break into the senior team more consistently.
“I’m happy to lock the contract away and I’m now really focused on hitting the ground running in 2024,” Khamis said in a club statement.
“I’ve got a lot of great mates at the footy club, and I know this group is capable of more in the next few years.”
But Cooney, speaking on SEN’s Sportsday, disagreed. The 2008 Brownlow Medallist believes that Khamis won’t be aided by the fact he’s currently stuck behind Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Rory Lobb in the Bulldogs forward line and would have had more opportunities for senior footy elsewhere.
“It’s a strange decision by Buku Khamis,” Cooney began.
“He was being courted by a couple of other clubs, to extend his career by one year at the Western Bulldogs given he’s got a few key forwards in front of him at the moment, it’s just an odd decision.
“He should of taken the extra years at another club and backed himself in because it's going to be tough to break into that forward line at the Western Bulldogs next year.
“Even down back if he does try and fill a role down there, it’s going to be tough for him. I would have taken a multi-year deal elsewhere.”
AFL Media reported last month that multiple clubs had asked the question of Khamis’ availability this trade period.
Cooney’s comments come after Josh Jenkins and Phil Davis told AFL Trade Radio before Khamis’ new deal that he should seek a move.
“So when it comes to what he should do, if I’m Buku Khamis, I’m going, I’m on the move,” Jenkins said.
Davis added: “I just don’t see a forward line structure that gets him in their side unless something dramatic happens…”