More details emerge on star Dog's selection snubbing

Western Bulldogs utility Caleb Daniel has found himself out of favour with selection early in 2024 – but there’s no indication he’ll seek a trade at the end of this year as a consequence.

Daniel, a 2020 All-Australian, has only played once this year after Round 4, with that appearance against Fremantle coming as the sub.

The 27-year-old has played his entire career at Whitten Oval and since breaking into Luke Beveridge’s side in mid-2015, has never had any major challenges with selection.

2024 is the first time that Daniel’s position now and into the future is in jeopardy.

However, AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich has a reassuring message for Bulldogs fans, explaining that Daniel currently has no overriding qualms with his situation.

“I’ve checked on this. I’m understanding that he’s fine with how things are,” Gabelich told SEN’s Sportsday of Daniel.

“Not in terms of not being selected, he’s not unhappy, he understands where things sit right now.

“He did come in against Fremantle and didn’t perform, but it is a big watch. We are only at Round 9, however.”

Daniel has a contract at the Kennel until 2026, having signed a four-year deal to extend his time at the club back in 2022.

In the shortened season that was 2020, when Daniel was named All-Australian, he averaged 20  possessions at over 80 per cent efficiency as well as 5.2 intercepts.

The Bulldogs this weekend omitted three players after a surprise loss to Hawthorn in Round 8, with the likes of Joel Freijah (debut) and Luke Cleary (one game in 2023) among the four ins over Daniel.

Beveridge has previously explained he has “no doubt” Daniel will be back in the senior team at some point.

“When we think about Caleb and what role he might play week to week, he’s been pretty adept in playing all over the ground. He’s one of those players who doesn’t settle in one area,” Beveridge said in mid-April.

“The team needs have come before Caleb’s to a degree and that’s always hard to process and deal with. He, as you would expect, such a great character and with his integrity, he’ll always put things in accord with what’s best for the team.

“If he plays state league (VFL), maybe there is a period of time he spends there, it just depends on who is playing well in different areas at AFL level and when he gets his claws into the competition again. We have no doubt that will happen.”

Daniel is in a similar position to experienced teammates Jack Macrae and Bailey Dale, with all three fighting for their spots in Beveridge’s best side in 2024.

Daniel has recorded 26, 21 and 28 touches in his three VFL games this season.