West Coast is not as interested in Western Bulldogs free agent Tim English as it once was, in a twist that could change the face of the 2024 trade period.
As reported by Nine’s Damian Barrett on Footy Classified, the Eagles’ interest in recruiting English – which was once sky high when the now 26-year-old shaped as Nic Naitanui’s replacement – has dropped off to a degree.
“West Coast’s interest has waned in him from two years ago when they had a good crack at him,” Barrett told the program.
“There’s an awareness there (from other clubs of English’s concussion problems)… all I’m saying is the West Coast interest which was through the roof two years ago is not through the roof (anymore).”
"The West Coast interest which was through the roof two years ago, is not through the roof."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 17, 2024
Damian Barrett says the Eagles' interest in Bulldogs free agent Tim English has waned. #9FootyClassified | Live on 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/o8mQTHG08u
English, a Western Australian, was drafted out of South Fremantle by the Bulldogs with a first round pick back in 2016.
He won his first All-Australian blazer last year, a season where he was the only ruckman to average over 19 possessions, 30 hitouts and five score involvements per game. Last week against Essendon, English was monstered by Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein in his worst performance since late 2022.
The Bulldogs are fighting to re-sign him alongside key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and midfielder Bailey Smith, with all coming out of contract this season.
Club CEO Ameet Bains recently told SEN that new contracts for English and Ugle-Hagan were progressing well.
“I think the starting premise is when you have really good players, you want to keep them,” Bains said last week.
However, he conceded Smith had given no indication he wanted to stay as of Round 5.
It was, and still is, seen as unlikely that the Bulldogs will be able to retain all three stars, with one or two remaining at Whitten Oval more likely.
However, reports have previously stipulated West Coast was the only rival club firmly in the market for English.
The Eagles recruited former Giants ruck Matt Flynn in 2023, while Bailey Williams has shown plenty as a developing big man.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 2-3 heading into Round 6 and play St Kilda on Thursday night to open the weekend’s footy.