Adam Treloar could make finals return for Western Bulldogs
It comes as the Bulldogs confirmed Jordan Croft, son of former defender Matthew, would become the club's fifth debutant this season against West Coast on Sunday.
The Bulldogs have to win their final two games against the Eagles and Fremantle to lock in a finals spot and a fit Treloar, an All-Australian in 2024, would enhance their chances.
But the 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been limited to just four games in 2025, his most recent in round 16, after a series of calf issues that impacted his pre-season.
Beveridge said Treloar's progression through to full training in recent weeks had been 'encouraging', and while caution would be exercised, Treloar could yet be a presence in the finals should the Bulldogs make it.
'He's had a couple of good weeks, almost surprising weeks,' Beveridge said on Wednesday.
'Encouraging stuff, to the point where now we can consider him for some state league minutes.
'My philosophy around playing players who are underprepared is they can't compromise the team at any level.
'But we believe that he won't because he's done the necessary preparations.
'We just need to firm it up. It's still early in the week and we've got another session on Friday.'
But while Treloar could return in the VFL this week, troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan won't.
Beveridge said comments from Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade last weekend that Ugle-Hagan had 'put himself back a couple more weeks' by missing more training sessions and would be 'lucky to get a game' in the VFL side were a lesson for the prospective senior coach.
'I think it was more about how well Footscray are going, rather than Jamarra's preparation,' Beveridge said.
''Ladey' will live and learn.
'That's the thing about taking lines like that in different contexts, it can come back to bite you.
'He's learned an early lesson if he's hopefully part of that market for a senior coaching job.'
Beveridge said it 'remains to be seen' whether Ugle-Hagan would get back to his best. He has another year of his contract to run in 2026.
Croft, taken at pick 15 in the 2023 draft, comes in after kicking three goals in the VFL against the ladder-leading Box Hill Hawks last Saturday.
His father played 186 games for the Bulldogs as a key defender.
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The Australian
35 minutes ago
- The Australian
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The Australian
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Axed Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton tells all about Lachlan Galvin saga amid surprising call on Phil Gould
Axed Bulldogs star Toby Sexton has given his side to the Lachlan Galvin and Phil Gould saga, which continues to simmer as Canterbury's slide down the NRL ladder continues. On Friday night, the Roosters totally outclassed the Bulldogs 32-12, as the decision to drop Sexton for Galvin continues to age poorly. After years of rebuilding, the Bulldogs appeared to have finally positioned themselves as genuine premiership contenders in 2025, but in the last three weeks, they have been smashed by both the lowly Tigers and the Roosters. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Sandwiched in between those losses was a win over the struggling Warriors, who have lost three of their last four games. Yet despite their form slump, the Bulldogs still sit in third on the NRL ladder, thanks to a strong start to the season. But there is a sense that the damage done by unsettling a spine that was thriving by bringing Galvin in mid-season could ultimately cost them the title. A large part of that blame has been placed on the shoulders of Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould and coach Cameron Ciraldo. While there have even been suggestions of a rift in the team. However, Sexton played down all that talk, stating he has no hard feelings towards Galvin, who is simply doing what is best for him. 'There's no issue with Lachy, not at all,' Sexton told Code Sports. 'At the end of the day, he chose the Bulldogs because he thinks that's a side that will win a comp and where he can add value. He's a kid who has come in, works hard and does his job at halfback. I can't be critical of him.' Billed as the next big thing at the Titans in 2021, Sexton's NRL career went into free fall before Gould and Ciraldo gave him a lifeline. Under the tutelage of Ciraldo, the playmaker quickly developed into one of the most consistent halves and played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs' strong start to the season. Sexton will head to the Super League next season after he was somewhat tapped on the shoulder by Gould and Ciraldo, following Galvin's arrival. But the halfback holds no ill will towards the pair, crediting them for turning his career and the Bulldogs around. 'Phil Gould is very good. He was the one with Cameron who took a chance on me in 2023, and at a stage of my career where I didn't know where I was going,' Sexton continued. 'I was playing reserve grade for Tweed at the time (in the Queensland Cup) and wasn't sure what I was going to do. 'Gus has been in a lot of great systems. You can't fault his knowledge. He helped set up Penrith and the Roosters, and I realise why there have been so many good halves coming through at those clubs, it's on the back of what he's done. 'He's a very honest character. He will let you know where you are at, whether you are doing well or you have stuff to work on, that's what players appreciate the most from him.' Next year, Sexton will join French Super League club Catalans, where he will replace Roosters veteran Luke Keary. But at just 24 years of age, there is a good chance he will return to the NRL down the track. In the meantime, Sexton says his sole focus is on trying to win a premiership with the Dogs. While he is clearly on the outer, after being dropped for Galvin, if injuries strike, he may be able to once again turn the stuttering Dogs ship around and lead them to grand final glory.
