Western Bulldogs tall defender James O'Donnell has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until the end of 2027.
The 22-year-old wasn't due for contract renewal until October 2024, but the Bulldogs have moved quickly to secure his future after an impressive start to his AFL career.
Originally drafted as a Category B rookie in 2023, O'Donnell has played 26 games for the club since making his debut in Round 9 of the 2023 season.
O'Donnell's rise to AFL level has been anything but conventional. A former cricketer, O'Donnell only made the switch to football after a growth spurt and a lack of opportunities in his earlier teenage years.
The talented 197cm athlete was initially pursuing a professional cricket career before a chance conversation with Bulldogs staff led to him signing as a rookie.
In his debut season, O'Donnell played 12 games, including a late-season appearance in the elimination final loss to Hawthorn.
Despite a disrupted 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury and concussion issues, he has shown steady growth as a key defender. Some strong performances in the Bulldogs' backline have made him a valuable asset for coach Luke Beveridge.
The Bulldogs are also turning their attention to securing other key players, including out-of-contract stars Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, and Sam Darcy.
O'Donnell's contract extension comes at a busy time for the club's list management team, who are working to solidify their future heading into the 2025 season.
List manager Sam Power will now focus on re-signing key players as the Bulldogs look to continue building their list for the upcoming years.
