With the one-year extension of utility player Dominic Bedendo’s contract, the Western Bulldogs have secured their last on-field loose ends.
After the Bulldogs announced earlier this week that Lachlan McNeil and Taylor Duryea will be delisted and then selected by the team at the Rookie Draft later this month, Bedendo was the only player still without a contract for 2024.
Bedendo, who is in his third year of playing for the Blue, White, and Red, will remain with the team until 2024, it was reported on Thursday.
“Dom hasn’t had much luck with injury over the past 12 months, but we feel he’s got real growth in his game heading into 2024,” Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said in a club statement.
“He has shown glimpses throughout his games at VFL and AFL level and will benefit from a full pre-season, beginning in November.
“Dom’s athletic traits and ability to compete in the air will hold him in good stead as he aims for more regular football next season.”
After being selected by the Bulldogs in the 2020 draft, Bedendo has only appeared in two games. He made his professional debut in the Round 16 of the previous season and doubled his total a week later.
Since then, injuries have limited the 21-year-old’s availability; he has only played in two VFL games this year and is now playing senior games.
Bedendo is the latest addition to the Bulldogs’ re-signing class, which also includes Oskar Baker (2025), Luke Cleary (2025), Sam Darcy (2025), Ryan Gardner (2026), Arthur Jones (2025), Alex Keath (2024), Buku Khamis (2024), Tom Liberatore (2024), Aaron Naughton (2032), James O’Donnell (2025), Caleb Poulter (2025), Ed Richards (2025), Anthony Scott (2025), Laitham Vandermeer (2025), and Bailey Williams (2027).
