Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Western Bulldogs are adamant ruckman Tim English is going nowhere and will see out his AFL contract.
GWS were linked to English, but their football boss Jason McCartney said those talks were shut down within a week.
English was a 2023 All-Australian and has made the All-Australian extended squad for the past three years.
His wife Rudi Ellis has now joined the NSW Swifts in Super Netball, adding intrigue to English’s AFL future.
“I believe his wife is contracted for a couple of years,” McCartney said pointedly on the last day of the trade period.
With Kieren Briggs going to Richmond under free agency, the Giants are in the market for an established ruckman.
But with McCartney listening in the background on trade deadline day at Marvel Stadium, Bulldogs recruiter Michael Regan stressed that English will stay at their club.
“Knock away, Jase – you can knock all you want, but we’re not answering the door,” Regan said.
“Tim’s an integral member of the football club and one (who) we’re hell-bent on keeping.”
The Bulldogs also recruited Hudson O’Keeffe from Carlton as back-up for English. They were big winners in free agency, bringing in star midfielder Zak Butters from Port Adelaide.
“It’s been an interesting space, the ruck space. There a lot of clubs searching for some depth there and it’s really hard to acquire, so we’re really excited to bring Hudson in,” Regan said.
He was also confident the Bulldogs could help English and Ellis with their long-distance relationship.
“Tim and Rudi have lived that life before. As a footy club, we’re certainly in a position to be able to be flexible with our players on a number of levels, to make sure they’re able to balance their working life,” he said.
