Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Rhylee West was still able to find joy out of being dropped to the VFL.
After a career-best season in 2025, the Western Bulldogs forward’s form dipped to the point where he was axed for the round-17 trip to Sydney.
Instead of playing in a Friday night showdown against the Swans at a heaving SCG, West was battling it out at the notoriously cold and windy DSV Stadium in Williamstown.
The 26-year-old took the demotion as well as he could have, relishing a rare opportunity to play with his younger brother Levi.
Eight years separates two of the sons of Bulldogs legend Scott West, meaning they had never got a chance to be in the same team.
Still just 18, Levi is eligible to join the Bulldogs as a father-son selection in November’s AFL draft and be on the same list as Rhylee in 2027.
“I probably haven’t had the season that I would like this,” Rhylee told AAP.
“You’ve just got to find a way to get through the ups and downs, battle on and think about when can my next best game be.
“Going back to the VFL, I got to play with my youngest brother, which was really awesome.
“It just taught me that you can’t take anything for granted, and you’ve got to keep putting your head down and keep working.
“It doesn’t matter where you think you sit in the team, no one’s invincible.
“You’ve got to take it all in your stride and put a smile on.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and his team haven’t been afraid to make big calls at selection this year.
But West and Joel Freijah, who was dropped for 24 hours in July before being recalled due to an injury – are coming good at the right time of the season.
Both players had big moments to help the Bulldogs secure a place in Saturday night’s elimination final against Adelaide.
“They just wanted me to get back to my best, play with confidence and a bit of freedom,” West said of the message from the coaches.
“I went back to the VFL, played midfield and they were happy with how I went, and obviously come back up the next week.
“It’s something that I’ve just been trying to take into AFL games since, just play with freedom and a bit of fun.
“When you do that, you play better overall and hopefully that will continue this week.”
