Blues nudge ahead in battle for Western Bulldogs free agent

Carlton are ahead in the race for Western Bulldogs key defender Buku Khamis, who has been offered a longer and more substantial deal by the Blues than the Bulldogs. Khamis, 26, has been offered a deal of at least four years by Carlton, who have upped the ante in their discussions compared with the Bulldogs. The Dogs’ offer, at this stage, is for three years and less attractive than that of the Blues, whom Khamis sought to join during last year’s trade period when he had a year to run on his contract.

There is still the possibility that the Bulldogs could increase their offer as they are keen to retain the defender, but at this stage, industry sources say the Blues are ahead of the Dogs in the contest for his services. The defender has not yet decided where he would like to play next season with his focus solely on helping the Bulldogs’ 2026 campaign. Khamis’s decision will rest not only on contractual terms, but on the role he would play in future.

The Bulldogs have deployed him through necessity as a key defender often this season, in tandem with James O’Donnell, depending on whether swingman Rory Lobb is available and the role Lobb takes. The Bulldogs have also been impressed with Michael Sellwood’s development as an intercept marking defender in 2026. He has played every match this season after being a mid-season draft selection in 2025 and re-signed until the end of 2028 last month.

At Carlton, Khamis would be a third tall defender, given the presence of all-Australian Jacob Weitering and young gun Harry Dean in the key defensive posts. The Blues have veteran Nick Haynes, who is still out of contract, playing as a tall intercepting defender and youngster Harry O’Farrell another tall defender with promise who is recovering from a knee reconstruction. The Blues could not complete a trade for him last year as they were tied up on deadline day negotiating the trade which saw Charlie Curnow join Sydney.

As an unrestricted free agent, Khamis can simply cross to another club without any capacity for the Bulldogs to match the offer. Another factor at play is that the Bulldogs are keen to lure Adelaide key defender and free agent Jordon Butts and have made him a long-term offer; at 195cm, Butts is a genuine key position size (Khamis is 191cm) but has been behind Mark Keane, James Borlase, Josh Worrell and Nick Murray in the pecking order at Adelaide. Butts has been playing in the SANFL.

Murray has interest from North Melbourne however he remains contracted until 2028 so unlike Butts, the Crows’ would be entitled to retain him if he wanted to leave. Essendon defender Jordan Ridley, who is contracted until 2029, is also expected to explore the market as clubs clamour for defensive cover. Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country.

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