Western Bulldogs News

Ryan Griffen has signed a two-year deal with the Western Bulldogs ahead of its qualifying final against Collingwood after reportedly being courted by Adelaide and Essendon.

"In my mind, there wasn't much doubt. His mates had said he wasn't going to go anywhere, he wanted to stay," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"He was buying property in Melbourne to live in so there were a whole range of factors and we knew he wanted to stay even though there were other people circling.

The Western Bulldogs are drawing on Barry Hall's extensive finals experience as they head into September.

"He's passed on his thoughts and it's been good to hear from someone who has experienced it and gone all the way and what sorts of things they did leading up to the grand final," teammate Matthew Boyd said.

"It's good to hear a different perspective from a guy who's played a different club, just to get a guide as to what they did."

Dogs defender Dale Morris will miss the rest of the season and the club's finals campaign after suffering a fracture in his back against the Swans.

"He'll be able to jog in about four weeks' time," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"It's a vertebrae; it's not affecting anywhere near the spinal cord. It's like a cracked rib more than anything."

Former Bulldog Jason Akermanis denies reports that he publicly named three AFL players he claims used illegal drugs during a speech in Mildura.

"What happens in question and answer time is I do about 45 minutes to an hour and then we have a break and (the audience) can ask me any questions," Akermanis said.

"When they ask me and they say Jason we've heard rumours about this guy, or this guy doing drugs, and I say the same thing, I have heard those same rumours and generally you have."

The Western Bulldogs will have to wage their September campaign without Adam Cooney, with the Brownlow Medallist out for at least five weeks with a hamstring injury.

"To lose a player of Adam's quality this close to the finals is obviously disappointing. At this stage the best case scenario is that Adam will return late in September and while this is unlikely, we have not written off Adam's season yet," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said.

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Shaun Higgins may not play another game this year as he continues to struggle with a thyroid gland problem.

"Seeing as it's so close to finals football, it's going to be on a knife's edge whether he's going to be able to get enough fitness for finals football," Eade said.

"Only time will tell. It's going to be limited with what we can do over the next week or so to keep some fitness levels up."

Rodney Eade says Brad Johnson has been behind the side's climb up the AFL ladder, rather than the burden Jason Akermanis makes him out to be.

"The facts are, in the six-week period from round 14 to 19, not counting the Geelong game, Brad was No.1 in the competition for score assists," Eade said.

"He was No.4 in the competition for the number of marks, seventh in the competition for marks on the lead. He's averaging 19 disposals, eight marks, four inside 50s and three goal assists a game with 80 per cent efficiency with his disposals.

"They're enormous stats, and I think the media as well hasn't seen how well Brad has been playing, and all those stats back up what we know - that's he's been in very good form."

Sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis says former teammate and captain Brad Johnson is hurting the team by playing injured following a 101-point demolition at the hands of Geelong.

"I know he's been injured all bloody year, he's been hobbling around," Akermanis said on MTR radio.

"But you talk about team, don't tell me that it's not being selfish when this guy keeps going out there when he's costing his team, because he clearly can't do anything on defence."

Ben Cousins says sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis should have handled his departure from the Western Bulldogs with more grace.

"It is disappointing for Aker that he hasn't left the game probably in the way that he deserves and certainly in the way his talent deserves,'' Cousins said.

"(Leaving a club) is a really testing time. One of the things that I was proud about the way I handled that situation. I don't think the club was 100 per cent right and I don't think, definitely I wasn't. I didn't have to come out and take shots at people that I wasn't necessarily happy with and thought they had done the total right thing by me. There was nothing to be gained by it. I had to put my hand up and take responsibility for the part I played in it, which was a pretty big one."

Bulldog Jarrad Grant earns the Round 17 Rising Star nominee after booting three goals from 20 disposal against Fremantle.

"The nomination is a tremendous recognition for Jarrad's efforts, he has fitted into the side really well and has now cemented his spot. He provides tremendous support for players like Barry Hall and Brad Johnson in our forward line," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson says Jason Akermanis' sacking was entirely the latter's fault despite Akermanis claiming that Johnson was responsible a player revolt that led to the termination of his contract.

"We've got our trademarks that we live by on a day-to-day basis and we will not go outside of that as a team," Johnson told radio station Mix 101.1.

"If someone does we will sit them down and we will give them a chance and in Jason's case get the trust back within the football playing group.

"It was decided we get a few more players in just to get their thoughts on whether or not he had regained the trust within the playing group. There was 100 per cent consensus that that hadn't been achieved."

Sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis says his former skipper Brad Johnson played a large role in bringing about the end of his career.

"Brad said in a meeting to the group, 'Now, if you were to play with a player and this player was going to write negative stuff about you, would you want to play with him?'" Akermanis said.

"That's the most loaded question I've ever seen. Of course, 100 per cent said, 'Of course, I wouldn't want to play with him'. He's made an assumption about ... something I've had no chance to even talk to him about."

Jason Akermanis sensed something was brewing at Whitten Oval but never imagined his AFL career would end so suddenly.

"I didn't see it coming at all. There was something strange up; there was no one talking to me, they were being very cagey with some things and it's been like that all week," Akermanis said.

"They weren't being honest and open with me, as they claim they should."

The AFL Players' Association expresses regret with the termination of Jason Akermanis' contract with the Western Bulldogs.

"The AFL Players' Association is disappointed that the Western Bulldogs and Jason have not been able to resolve their differences and that the Bulldogs felt they had no other option but to take this unilateral action," a statement read.

"It's very unfortunate that a Brownlow Medallist and Premiership champion's career appears to have ended this way. We hope that when people look back on Jason's career that they foremost remember him for his mammoth achievements on the field."

The Western Bulldogs announce that Jason Akermanis is no longer playing for the club.

"Jason has been a very good player for our club ... but recent events have made the relationship between Jason and the Western Bulldogs untenable," Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon said.

"Over the last 18 months, Jason has been involved in a number of incidents in which matters confidential to the inner sanctum of our football department and players have been the subject of inappropriate disclosure on their behalf outside the club."

Jason Akermanis says he is frustrated at not being able to make his way into the senior team but will not reveal the reasons why.

"Yes I'm frustrated absolutely," he said.

"I've gotta keep that between us, the match committee and myself, as to why I'm not playing. Then I go and hopefully play another good game in the twos."

"Can I just say that I go out into the cold and I train and I work hard and then I go and play my two games at Williamstown, done everything that they have asked me to do and then don't pick it. I can't really say why I'm not in the team."

The Bulldogs express their frustration at the AFL's criteria for Rising Star nominations after forward Jarrad Grant was again overlooked.

"How do they decide? There is a groundswell from clubs to have a definitive judging criteria. How does it work?" Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia asked.

"It would be good to have clarity around how they measure it, or who qualifies each week. We don't play for individual awards, but it would be nice for him to be recognised."

Shoulder surgery has ended young Western Bulldog Sam Reid's 2010 season.

"We got x-rays and that's as good as the news got from there. He didn't have any structural damage but an MRI determined problems with his muscles and ligaments and he'll require surgery to restitch some of those muscle tendons," Bulldogs general manager of football James Fantasia said.

The Bulldogs have apologised to St Kilda for derogatory comments made by Jason Akermanis when the Bulldog forward called Saints-listed player Alistair Smith a "dribbler who can't play at all, who can't kick" when the two were opposed in the VFL.

"To say what he said was very disappointing, because I watched the game and ... the kid did a very good job," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

Bulldog Callan Ward is ready to play his first game for the year after missing more than half the season with osteitis pubis.

"It was definitely scary," Ward said.

"I did everything possible rehab-wise for my groin. Now at training I don't even feel it. I was told I'd feel it all year and in the last two or three weeks, I haven't felt it at all."

The Western Bulldogs have suspended Jason Akermanis for two matches and banned him from media work for three weeks.

"I think it's a good outcome for everyone at the club and myself - and that is what we do here; we are a very supportive group," Akermanis said of the club's decision.

"I can't really say what I expected except that we wanted an outcome that was mutually beneficial for everyone and I think that's exactly what's happened."

Jason Akermanis ignores an ultimatum by the Bulldogs' to choose between football and the media by appearing on radio station MTR.

"I am here because I am a contracted employee of this station and I am a contracted footballer and it doesn't affect my football," Akermanis said on MTR.

"I can do this as well, I can do columns, I've been doing that for years, there's nothing out of the ordinary there. Getting my form back is all in front of me ... I have to play a lot better than I have been."

Jason Akermanis says an injury, and not off-field controversy, is the reason for his recent drop in form.

"The real issue is that I'm playing injured and I've been doing it for seven weeks," Akermanis said.

"I've got nerve damage in my hamstring. I'm sick of getting bashed over the head and trying to help my team when I'm injured."

Bulldogs forward Jarrad Grant says his development has improved after playing with veteran players in Jason Akermanis, Robert Murphy, Brad Johnson and Barry Hall.

"There are a lot of guys who have had great careers so far and they're all very different in the way they go about it," Grant said.

"Watching on over the last two years, I've learnt a lot of things off Aker, Johnno, Murph and obviously Hally this year. It is terrific to be able to watch guys like that."

Jason Akermanis may be suspended by the Western Bulldogs after the controversial veteran revealed he was entirely responsible for his homophobic column in the Herald Sun where he recommended that gay footballers remain in the closet.

"We just want to get all the circumstances together and have a closer look as a club. Then we'll work out how we're going to deal with it," general manager of football James Fantasia said.

North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson talks to the Herald Sun about his confrontation with Barry Hall during the Kangaroos-Bulldogs clash when the burly forward had him in a stranglehold.

"I thought I was all right, but it soon became a pretty tight grip and I got a little scared, but he knew to let go," Thompson said.

"He had me across the neck and I was struggling to breathe, but I think Barry felt that as well and that's why he let go."

Thompson admits to deliberately trying to niggle Hall and says he will try to temper his penchant for getting under his opponents skin after the incident.

"The weekend's incident has brought home that I don't want to be seen as that sort of (dirty) player," he said.

"Some people can see that I may have taken it too far, but I just want to be hard at the ball and I think I can definitely learn from the weekend."

Barry Hall can accept a $3000 fine for misconduct after match review panel throws out rough conduct charge against him for wrestling with North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten has joined the Barry Hall debate, questioning the tactics used by Kangaroo Scott Thompson to rile the reported Bulldog.

Thompson was seen to niggle Hall as the forward doing up his shoelaces.

"I wouldn't like to to see my son doing it or being the one that's being hit - that's my answer," Ratten said.

"I think we have a responsibility as AFL clubs and the AFL to make sure nothing goes down through the grades. We're the role models for society on the field and off the field, and I think we have a responsibility there."

Daniel Giansiracusa says he and his teammates need to give forward Barry Hall more protection from niggling opponents after the key forward was reported for wrestling with Kangaroo Scott Thompson while Hall was doing up his shoelaces.

"I was up the other end of the ground but we probably have to do a bit better to help Barry out because there were a few coming at him," Giansiracusa said.

"We knew it was going to happen when we recruited Baz and we probably knew it was going to happen with Scott Thompson because that's his thing. He starts to get into players and stuff like that."

Rodney Eade has called on umpires to protect star recruit Barry Hall after his star forward was reported twice while tussling with Kangaroo Scott Thompson during a big win by the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

"I just wish he'd get some protection," Eade said.

"It's going to get blown up because it's him, but if it was anybody else ... he's got kneed while he was doing his lace up.

"Then he gets besieged, then he gets attacked while he was coming off the ground. [There's] no protection."

The Western Bulldogs plan to celebrate Brad Johnson's 17-year contribution to the club in round 20 when they meet Geelong but say it will not be a farewell match.

"He's having a run of injuries at the moment but who knows, that might actually prolong his longevity in the game," club general manager of football James Fantasia said.

"He's missed nearly half the season getting the other part of his body right. Obviously we'll make a decision at the end of the year as he will, but [retirement] is not a fait accompli."

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott knows from his playing days that Jason Akermanis has a habit of putting his teammates under pressure and believes he has done it again after a controversial article in the Herald Sun where Akermanis states that gays in AFL clubs should remain in the closet.

"He's put more pressure on his teammates," Scott said as North Melbourne prepare to play Akermanis' club, the Western Bulldogs.

"Aker's had a history of responding fairly well when he is under pressure, but I know his teammates wouldn't be happy, and I know that first hand."

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Jason Akermanis's claim that AFL clubs are not ready to embrace an openly gay player is incorrect.

"There's some comments there we don't agree with, no doubt," Eade said.

"I think maybe Jason was trying to put a point across in a different way. It's certainly created some discussion, which has probably got it on the table a bit and we can debate and talk about it and maybe get some positive outcomes."

The Western Bulldogs release a statement stating that the club disagrees with Jason Akermanis' views on gay footballers.

"The Western Bulldogs are a progressive, community-based organisation that prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming," the statement read.

"Jason Akermanis' article is based on his opinion and by no means does he speak for the club or AFL players as a whole."

"The club do not agree with the views expressed by Jason Akermanis in relation to the potentially negative impact an openly gay footballer would have on a club."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos has labelled Jason Akermanis' comments about gay footballers 'irresponsible and bizarre'.

"Football clubs are very different environments. Locker room nudity is an everyday part of our lives and unlike any other work place," Roos wrote in a column for News Limited.

"I believe it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay."

Sydney Swan Adam Goodes has disputed Jason Akermanis' belief that it would be difficult for a gay player to come out.

"I'd like to think the environment isn't [homophobic]. Does that mean there aren't guys who are gay in our football competition? If you look at statistics purely on the blokes that we have, there probably are a couple," Goodes said.

"Whether or not they're too scared to come out, hopefully it isn't the environment they're in [that is stopping them]."

Jason Akermanis says gay footballers should remain quiet about their sexual preferences in an article written for the Herald Sun.

"The world of AFL footy is not ready for it. To come out is unnecessary for a lot of reasons," Akermanis wrote.

"Imagine the publicity associated with a current player admitting he's gay. It would be international news and could break the fabric of a club."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is confident veteran captain Brad Johnson can still return from an achilles injury.

"What we're concerned about is the continuity to be able to play four or five in a row," Eade said.

"He'll be able to play again. We just have to get to a stage where there's continuity, and there's plenty of time in the season to be able to do that."

Barry Hall kicks five goals against his old club, Sydney.

"I think Barry's game, if you're going to measure it in goals, it's probably an eight-goal game," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said after the game.

"But we don't measure in goals. If Barry had kicked two and done the same thing we would have been extremely pleased because he was able to lay off at times and his pressure skills were good and he provides a target."

Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney has turned his back on Gold Coast to remain with the Western Bulldogs after signing a three-year deal.

"It's just one less thing you have to worry about. There's a security there [in knowing] you're going to be around the footy club for another few years and you can just concentrate on playing the best football you can," Cooney said.

"My wife's pretty settled over here and I've got family over here and the kids go to school - everyone's pretty happy. I've got a house over here now so I'm settled in pretty well to the Melbourne lifestyle.

"I think I'll be 27 or 28 coming out of contract, so it will be 10 years at the club, which will be fantastic. Hopefully I've still got a few more years after that."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos says he is keen for the focus to be on the football ahead of Barry Hall's first game against his former club rather than trying to bait and niggle the former Swan.

"We don't adopt those tactics. You can't change your own game because you don't want to put yourself off your game, either," Roos said.

"Whoever gets Barry will play him fair and square and if [Hall] beats him, he'll be beaten fair and square. If our guys beat him, it'll be the same. There will be none of that from our point of view."

Type 1 diabetes will mean Bulldog Sam Reid will have a blood test every time he heads to the bench to test his blood suger levels.

"Sometimes I'll have to sit down for a bit and maybe eat some lollies or drink some Powerade," Reid said.

"It's quick. I only have to prick my finger and then it takes five seconds to read so the maximum time I need is 20 seconds."

Overcoming osteitis pubis and serious surgery has left young Bulldog Sam Reid with a burning desire to return to the ranks of the AFL.

"My goal is to be back by at least round nine," he said.

"Then I want to play finals as well. Once I get in there, I want to stay in there. I wish I was up and running now because there are injuries. Whenever I get injured, someone else does too and there's a spot there and I'm not able to take it."

Outspoken Bulldog Jason Akermanis confirms that Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes is a stager but says he isn't alone in acting for free kicks.

"Unfortunately for Kane he's been doing it for many years and he's not the only one ... and the players know [who they are]," Akermanis said.

"Didak, I mean these kind of guys, you've got Leon Davis. And the umpires know it and they detest it."

Western Bulldogs veteran Jason Akermanis has called for the League to rotate the Anzac Day match amongst other teams apart from just Collingwood and Essendon.

"I am totally against what is happening tomorrow," Akermanis said.

"Not because it wasn't a great idea by Kevin Sheedy, but Kevin Sheedy, you don't own that idea. Anzac Day is Anzac Day. There must be a rotation system."

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson says he felt like he had been on the sidelines for seven or eight games ahead of Friday night's win over Adelaide.

"I've only played two games for the season [but] it feels like I've been on the sidelines for more than seven or eight games," Johnson said.

"It was great to get back out there and now just really looking to build on the rest of the season."

Young Bulldog Jordan Roughead hopes to carve a niche as a modern-day mobile ruckman as he prepares to make his AFL debut against Adelaide.

"Obviously it's good to stay mobile as a ruckman these days, to be able to get around the ground, get used and get a bit of the football," Roughead said.

"But I've still got to work really hard inside the contest and try to lay a few tackles or put on some shepherds for my teammates.

"I'm certainly hoping that I can be a part of that new breed, but I'm not about to get ahead of myself. I've still got a lot of work to do."

Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake incurs the wrath of coach Rodney Eade who made him the target of a post-match spray following the Bulldogs' win over Hawthorn.

"I thought he was playing for them with the way he kicked the ball back to them," Eade said of Lake's game.

"There are a few elements of his game that he's got to work on and listen to the coach and coaching staff rather than do it his own way."

Lake responds saying that he needs to continue to improve.

"There's always something. You can never play the perfect game," Lake said.

"It's more when I've got the ball than when I don't that he talks to me about. There's a few things where there's room for improvement."

Off-season speculation of Andrejs Everitt's move from Whitten Oval never dinted his desire to remain with the Western Bulldogs.

"There was no one really driving a trade. It was all a bit of talk," he said.

"There was nothing really to come out of it at all, no bad blood or anything. It was mainly the media pumping it up. I never wanted to leave; definitely not. It was all a bit bizarre and something different to read really."

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson is expected to miss Sunday's clash with the Hawks as he recovers from a virus.

"On Sunday he got really crook. He has been crook for a couple of days and he's just a little bit better now," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"He was vomiting a lot and really had a high fever."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is confident that Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen and Jarrod Harbrow will re-sign before season's end, keeping them away from Gold Coast's reach.

"I would like to think they would and I'm confident because of our environment and culture and the fact the team has been together for a while," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"No club is going to be able to match the Gold Coast's money. But our team has been relatively successful in winning games and making the finals and we'd like to think that's going to be enough."

Barry Hall kicks only a single goal against Richmond and Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says the forward will need time to become more familiar with his teammates.

"I would think it'll take a good six to eight weeks into the season to be able to have that symmetry. We've got some tough games ahead with good defences, so that's going be difficult to get it right as well," Eade said.

"But as I've said all along with Barry, if he plays his role and he works hard defensively - some of his tackles were terrific - and he provides a target for us and provides a contest, that's all we can ask."

Callan Ward strains a groin in the Bulldogs NAB Cup Grand Final and is not expected to return to action until round 4.

Ryan Griffen says a flawless pre-season has given him every possible chance to put his consistency issues to bed.

"I've hardly missed a session and I'm fit and I've got a lot stronger as well so I hope it's going to be a good year," he said.

"I work pretty hard on my game. It's just a confidence, between-the-ears thing. I've got to start believing in myself a bit more because I know everyone else does."

Brodie Moles is rewarded for his excellent pre-season form by being named in the Bulldogs 2010 round 1 squad to take on Collingwood.

The Bulldogs represent a second chance at an AFL career for Moles when he was delisted by Geelong after two years on their list.

"I was obviously shattered (after being axed by the Cats) but I was just rapt to get another opportunity," Moles said.

"Leading up to the rookie draft, I only spoke to Hawthorn and the Bulldogs a week before the draft, so I was really unsure what to do with my life, but it has worked out amazingly for me."

Bulldogs midfielder and former Cat Brodie Moles has his sights set on a round one debut after being officially promoted to the senior list this week.

"I was in a squad at the Cats for round 16 last year but I was never promoted because I was playing okay footy in the VFL," Moles said.

"I'm just really excited and hopefully I'll get picked to play against Collingwood in round one."

Barry Hall says he is surprised by his own form and the jubilation it has set off at his new club the Western Bulldogs.

"I never expected things to go so well so early, especially at the ripe old age of 33. It's a bit of a shock as I was just hoping to cruise in, go under the radar and swan into Round 1, but it hasn't gone that way," Hall said.

Mitch Hahn fractures an eye socket after clashing with teammate Barry Hall but is still a chance to recover in time for the Bulldogs' round 1 clash against Collingwood.

Western Bulldogs forward Barry Hall wins the Michael Tuck medal for being best on ground in the 2010 NAB Cup Grand Final against St Kilda and says he is enjoying his footy again.

"In Sydney I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform. I had a lot of good years there but towards the end, it was unhealthy, the high expectations," he said after the game.

"I got older and I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself and it really weighed heavily on me.

"The Bulldogs have given me a chance and I just want to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on myself. I've slotted in nicely and there's no pressure on me internally."

Brad Johnson is coping well with the knowledge he will not play in this weekend's NAB Cup grand final, according to coach Rodney Eade.

"He's a fairly upbeat sort of guy and a pragmatic sort of person," Eade said.

"He's disappointed underneath that he is not playing but he's got the whole season ahead of him and he knows that.

"He had a little bit of a setback for a few days but he's not too bad. He's in a positive frame of mind. He's the sort of guy who gets on with it and doesn't really dwell too much."

Kevin Sheedy says the Swans made a mistake by trading Barry Hall and should have just asked the forward to take some time off instead.

"It might have been better if Roosy just told Barry to take half a year off: `We're probably not going to make the finals, go away on a holiday, and come back next year all refreshed to start again'," Sheedy said.

"It takes a huge lot of character to do that, but sometimes you have to do that."

Bulldog Brian Lake discusses the controversial free kick he gave away in last year's preliminary final which resulted in a subsequent Riewoldt goal and a change in momentum.

"In the heat of the battle, a few of the opposition players mentioned, 'It might have cost your side a Grand Final spot'," Lake said.

"I can't go into it too much, but I think I was a little stiff. It's a body contact sport. I thought it was fair. It wasn't high. It wasn't in the back."

"It wasn't as if we were targetting him or anything. When he was in the vicinity we wanted to make body contact. You have to bring your presence to the game."

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson will miss the season opener against the Pies and may not play until round three due to calf tightness.

"He trained yesterday and when he came in this morning it was just a bit tight," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"There was no real pain with it, but it was always going to be right on the edge whether he played on it or not so we're just going to err on the side of caution."

This is the year the Bulldogs could break their premiership drought according to forward Jason Akermanis.

"This is the window, we spoke about it last year as well. There's not too many years when we can get that group [of players] in their late twenties," Akermanis said.

"St Kilda will be saying the same and Geelong still think they're in it, so there's a number of teams that know that time is running out, but from our point of view we would have liked to have won it last year, but we've got to look at this year."

Despite the fact he still hasn't returned to full training, Brad Johnson insists he'll be ready for the season opener against Collingwood.

"I didn't miss a beat until a couple of weeks ago so I've got enough of a fitness base behind me and it shouldn't be an issue leading into the first game," he said.

"The week after [the final NAB Cup/Challenge match], the decision will be made in regards to what part they want me to play, possibly at Williamstown, or do a hard session at the footy club."

Christian Howard has been placed on the long-term injury list and will not play until at least round four of the 2010 season after having surgery on a hip impingement in late December.

"He can start running next week and then there will be a few weeks of rehab running," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"Then he'll have to go through a mini pre-season. That's going to take time. He'll be eight to 10 weeks away before he's able to play.

"Everything is going well from the surgery. It was a fairly invasive surgery that he had and we wanted to get it right."

New Dog Barry Hall lived up to the hype in his side's 57-point NAB Cup win against Hawthorn after kicking six goals on debut for his new club.

Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson says the recruitment of Barry Hall has attracted more of their supporters to the club.

"He has been fantastic for us," Johnson said.

"You just have to look at our intraclub as evidence of the momentum that he has brought to the club in regards to membership.

"It was a huge turnout and every time he went near the ball the excitement of the supporters was right up there."

Jarryd Roughead may face his cousin Jordan Roughead in round 2 of the 2010 NAB Cup against the Bulldogs.

"I've never played against him in any sport, so it should be a bit of fun. And good for Dad and uncle as well," Jarryd said.

"He's a Ballarat boy. It's only NAB Cup (round) two, if it happens in Round 3 I might claim a bit of bragging rights."

Adam Cooney remains uncontracted at the Bulldogs leading to speculation he may draw interest from the new Gold Coast franchise.

"Ricky's pretty busy at the moment, but hopefully we'll get something sorted out pretty soon and we'll have a chat," Cooney said about his manager Rick Olarenshaw.

"Maybe Ricky can then start chatting to the club, but I think I'll get stuck into the footy first."

Adam Cooney has been added to the Bulldogs leadership group but says he may not have what it takes to ultimately become skipper of the club.

"I'm too left-field to be a skipper," Cooney said.

"I'm maybe a little bit too casual and I'm never going to fully change my personality as much as you need to for captaincy. As a captain you need to think footy 24/7 and I'm not the type of person who lives and breathes it."

Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis has his doubts as to whether Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola can work together in the Brisbane Lions' forward line saying that Daniel Bradshaw was a better complement for Brown.

"Bradshaw was a great sort of swingman for 'Browny' and 'Browny' was happy to play the lead role," Akermanis said.

"What will happen if two guys are playing the lead role? 'Hang on man, this is my show'. I know they are both very dominant guys, so they're both going to want their piece of the pie."

Western Bulldog recruit Barry Hall says it felt good to finally play a game of football again in the club's intraclub match.

"Just being in the game, in among it again was weird because I hadn't done it for so long," Hall said.

"You do get that when you have eight weeks off, but I had about six months off. I got a few touches, nothing too flash, but it was good to do it again because I had missed it."

Former Swans spearhead Barry Hall booted two goals in an encouraging effort at the Bulldogs' intraclub game on Saturday.

"It was his first real run. He's been steadily building up and he's still got a bit to go," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"I thought he moved pretty well. If he'd kicked straight, he would have had four or five [goals] but his attack on the ball was pleasing and you could see he's a real competitor."

Assistant Paul Williams believes Robert Murphy is well and truly over the knee injury that hampered him in 2009.

"Rob looks like a different man to where he was this time last year," Williams said.

"Everyone knows how much duress he was under last year - he hardly trained at all, he would basically recover after games and then play again.

"So to have him doing what he's doing now is really good for all of us. His knee is now no problem at all."

Midfielder Nathan Eagleton appears likely to miss his side's NAB Cup campaign after locking his knee at training.

"It was quite undramatic, really, how Eags locked his knee - he just had a little bit of cartilage jam up the joint, and unfortunately we needed to get that fished out by a surgeon," Bulldogs medical service manager Andrew McKenzie said.

"So he had a little arthroscope, the knee was cleaned out - he removed a little bit of frayed cartilage.

"But Nathan's got his full range back, his full movement now, so we're not expecting him to be out for long, it should only be probably three weeks that it disrupts his pre-season for."

The Western Bulldogs' first round draft pick Christian Howard is yet to start running as he recovers from hip surgery.

"He's a chance to play early on in the season, but we have to make sure we do the right thing by the kid and make sure that he gets enough fitness into his body before we'll expose him to games of footy," Bulldogs assistant coach Paul Williams said.

"You can't expect a kid who hasn't had a proper pre-season to come and play AFL straight away, so he will do what all kids have to do, which is demand their spot, train hard and play well and make us pick him."

Western Bulldog Brian Lake ties the knot with long-time love Shannon O'Malley at a church wedding in Adelaide on new year's eve.

"We never know what to do on New Year's Eve so we thought this way we're giving everyone a party," O'Malley said.

"We wanted to have all our family and close friends there."

The Western Bulldogs' first draft selection, Christian Howard, will undergo hip surgery and be unavailable for the NAB Cup.

"It's a light thing. We were across that prior to drafting him," general manager of football James Fantasia said.

"We're going to do it pre-Christmas so it gives him some good recovery time.

"We picked it up early through our screenings and it was always on the cards."

Touted as a first-round draft pick, Matthew Panos had to wait until the NAB AFL Rookie Draft to find his way to the Whitten Oval.

"I was quite upset when I didn't get picked up in the national draft," Panos told afl.com.au.

"My hopes weren't extremely high, but I was still disappointed not to get picked up. Now, I'm just really excited to be on an AFL list and to be with the Bulldogs, who have had good success over the past few years."

New Western Bulldogs recruit Barry Hall says he is fit and ready to go in round one of 2010.

"I'm a bit lighter. I actually have to put on some weight. I've got three of four kilos to put on.," he said.

"But the skin folds are good. My upper body strength is little bit off what I usually am, which is good, because there is obviously going to be some improvement ahead."

Barry Hall says the move back to Melbourne and the Bulldogs has invigorated him personally and professionally.

"You try and impress everyone again - I'm feeling 18 at the moment," Hall said.

"Melbourne's good, the weather's been alright and it's good to get home. You can escape a bit of the footy up in Sydney so I'm back in the swing of it here and it's like I never left."

Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson remains hopeful of playing in the 2010 NAB Cup despite recent shoulder surgery restricting his pre-season.

"It's coming along quite well," he said.

"I haven't been restricted in any of the running and I've been able to do most of the skill drills.

"It's really not an issue. With the competitive side of things, we really don't do much before Christmas anyway".

Western Bulldogs coach says Christian Howard was the best player available at No. 15 in the 2009 NAB AFL draft.

"We had 12 or 13 players that we thought were the best players in the draft and they'd all gone, so really he was our next player on our list," Eade said.

"He fits the profile of what we wanted -- a guy that can run and kick and set the play up. He ticked a lot of boxes, so we're certainly very pleased to take him at that level."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says he is happy with Barry Hall's recovery from post-season ankle surgery.

"He's not running yet. He'll be able to run in about a week," Eade said.

"He's been walking pain free from the start and he wants to run, but the doctors are holding him back at the moment."

Christian Howard was as surprised as everyone else was to be selected with the Bulldogs' pick 15 in the 2009 national draft after not having been rated by anyone as being a first round pick.

"I think most of the country was pretty surprised I went at pick No.15," Howard said.

"I just sat there in disbelief for about five minutes. I couldn't move. My family was going nuts and I just couldn't believe it."

Hawthorn is considering drafting an experienced ruckmen, one of Chris Bryan, Cameron Cloke, John Meesen, Adam Pattison or Wayde Skipper on Thursday night.

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says he believes Brad Johnson can play for at least two more seasons with the addition of Barry Hall helping to prolong his career.

"Barry Hall will not just add to us, but take pressure off Johnson and Mitch Hahn and Robert Murphy," he said.

"Johnno might be able to prolong his career by 12 months. He won't have to play the contested football. He might be able to play more of a high forward or running role, which he still has in him."

Western Bulldogs' renowned hard worker Dale Morris has been forced to slow down after having to rest his broken leg that he played with for several weeks in 2009.

"The leg is fine. It just needed some time off and you can't really take time off during the year for something like that," Morris said.

"That's another reason why I had to spend a few weeks off doing nothing, which was pretty hard."

Despite a breakout 2009 Shaun Higgins says he is not feeling any extra pressure to perform next season.

"Last pre-season was the first time that I've had a full pre-season, and I pretty much got through the year injury-free as opposed to the last couple of years," he said.

"If you can stay on the park and have a good pre-season, then everything is in good stead to have a consistent year."

Midfielder Nathan Eagleton to stay at club for at least one more season after agreeing to contract extension.

"Like Aker, we were unable to offer Nathan a contract that reflects his importance to our club but he has decided to put team success ahead of personal gain,'' Dogs football manager James Fantasia said.

Guy O'Keefe, Dan O'Keefe and Bryce Carroll will join Geelong's pre-season training in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Draft.

Western Bulldogs forward Jason Akermanis has committed to a new one-year deal with money playing no part in his decision.

"I am just excited to go again for another 12 months. It's a real bonus," he said.

"You are retired for a long time and I still feel I can play a valuable role for the team up forward and at times on the ball.

"Football has never been about the money. It has been about the thrill and enjoyment of winning. That is the most important thing for me."

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade believes there is a regular spot available for Andrejs Everitt if he is willing to work for it.

"At times, he didn't do the work. No one gets a game on a plate, and if he's prepared to work, he'll get games. Liam Picken was a rookie and Andrejs was taken at No.11 in the draft. It doesn't matter how you got here; it's about the work rate and the work ethic you've got," Eade said.

"Andrejs works in fits and starts, and if he can work hard enough and long enough, he'll get games because he's got enough talent."

The Western Bulldogs may not know for several weeks if the revised contracts they have offered to veterans Nathan Eagleton and Jason Akermanis will be accepted .

"We've let both boys know we'd like them to play on next year, and we're in the process of putting some detail around what that might look like," football operations manager James Fantasia said.

"We've got a bit of time up our sleeve. We don't need to lodge the list for three weeks, so it could hold out until then."

Rodney Eade says Brad Johnson took his leadership to another level in 2009 and supports him keeping the role in 2010.

"He finished fourth in the best and fairest after a very good year. In the previous year, he had a few little injuries that held him back a bit, but I thought his leadership was outstanding," Eade said.

"His ability to delegate at the right time and develop some younger people in the leadership group was fantastic. Over the last two or three years, he's taken that part of his football to another level and he's been quite outstanding."

Daniel Cross says Western Bulldogs players threw their support behind recruiting Barry Hall just two days after bowing out of the AFL finals.

"I think looking forward, having big Barry down there is going to give the forward line more help," Cross said.

''Hopefully, he's going to open more options for the team and for the coaches going forward."

Jason Akermanis will finish his career at the Bulldogs on a significantly reduced wage.

"The Dogs didn't plan for him to play on so they didn't budget for Aker, but he is willing to commit to the club at whatever money they have left in the cap," Akermanis' manager Rick Olarenshaw said.

"He understands he has been well rewarded financially throughout his footy career and now he just wants to help the Dogs win a premiership."

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson has committed to the club for yet another season.

"I am obviously rapt to be playing on next year. The fact that Brian (Lake) has recommitted to the club and with the inclusion of Barry for the 2010 season, it's a fantastic time to be at the Western Bulldogs," Johnson said.

The Western Bulldogs have confirmed that Brad Johnson will be asked to play on in 2010, but a decision is yet to be made on Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton.

Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake has signed a four-year deal that should see him at the club for the remainder of his career.

"It will take me to 31 and I'll spend the rest of my life at the Western Bulldogs and be a one-club player," Lake said.

"They gave me the opportunity in 2001 after taking me with pick 71. They took the punt. Over time I've repaid them and no doubt a four-year contract will see out my days here."

Defender Brian Lake has agreed in principle to a new deal with the Western Bulldogs, with only minor details to be worked out.

Lake is believed to have been given an ultimatum by the club to re-sign or face the prospect of being reluctantly traded by the club.

Lake's manager Ricky Olerenshaw told radio station SEN that his client was never seriously considering leaving the Bulldogs and had agreed to sign a new contract on Tuesday night.

Western Bulldog Matthew Boyd narrowly edged out Daniel Cross to win his first Charles Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs' best and fairest.

The Western Bulldogs plan to develop Leon Cameron with the skills required to be a senior coach, but not necessarily at their club.

"You want to develop your people and Leon is an outstanding coach and we want to give him as much exposure as possible," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"It's certainly not a succession plan for me to hand over to him in two years, it's for him to get wider knowledge so he is ready to senior coach wherever and whenever that may be."

After a career spanning three AFL clubs Western Bulldog Scott Welsh announced his retirement.

"I think he really enjoyed that role and we certainly thought it was very beneficial to the team," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"As a person he was terrific for the club, he fitted in extremely well and was very popular among his teammates.

"He is obviously leaving the club having made a huge impression and he knows he is welcome back at the Western Bulldogs anytime."

Scott Welsh retires from football after giving two years of service to the Western Bulldogs since moving over from Adelaide.

Welsh's retirement provides salary cap room for the Bulldogs to pursue former Swan Barry Hall.

Jason Akermanis is revealed to have been drunk and in a state unfit to go to the 2009 Brownlow Medal presentation.

"I picked him up and we were on our way to (Brad) Johnson's - I had his suit with me - and he was just not in a state to be seen in public at all," Akermanis' wife Megan told radio station Nova.

"He was a little sleepy. We were in the car and he said 'I can't go' and I said 'you shouldn't go'. So we turned the car around and went home."

Dale Morris is revealed to have played with stress fracture to his tibia against superstar Nick Riewoldt in the Bulldogs' loss to the Saints in their preliminary final.

"He has had a bit of a crack or a stress fracture," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"We were worried about it . . . if it cracked too far he wouldn't have been able to run.

"He is so mentally tough. He told us he was right to give us 100 per cent, but he is very sore."

Western Bulldogs' Brian Lake is in no doubt who is the toughest opponent he has faced - Barry Hall.

''Barry Hall has stitched me up a bit, so I'd have to say he was the toughest I've played on this year,'' Lake said.

''They're all reasonably tough but it really depends on the guys up the field and the midfield pressure. If the ball comes in easily, there's not really much you can do as a defender.''

Defender Brian Lake is unlikely to sign a new contract until the Bulldogs season is over.

"We would have liked to have progressed it earlier, but when we sat down, we realised, from where we sit, he has no intentions of moving," football operations manager James Fantasia said.

"We are quite comfortable with saying let's leave it until the end of the season, and really concentrate on this campaign we have before us, and that's what we've done."

Ryan Hargrave has signed a three-year contract extension and believes he will remain at the Western Bulldogs for the rest of his career.

"It was a pretty easy decision for me," he said.

"It will probably see me through to the end, and it's great to know I'll stay at the one club for my whole career."