The Bulldogs have had an absolutely stellar season 2021 so far and find themselves atop the ladder with just a month until finals.
Their midfield has been the main sticking point of this year with their stocks in that department being unparalleled across the league.
However as the saying goes, sometimes standing still means going backwards, so it would be wise for Luke Beveridge and his side to strengthen whilst they're at the top.
5 Trade Targets: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
5 Trade Targets: Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets: GWS
5 Trade Targets: Hawthorn
5 Trade Targets: Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: North Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: Port Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Richmond
5 Trade Targets: St. Kilda
5 Trade Targets: Sydney
5 Trade Targets: West Coast
In no particular order, here are five players which the Doggies recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
The Fremantle defender has been out-of-favour this season after featuring heavily for the side in 2020.
Only managing to appear on six occasions in season 2021, the last of which came against Gold Coast in Round 13, and didn't have a bad game finishing with 22 touches.
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In the small sample space of games he has had in 2021, the 23-year-old has averaged 4.3 spoils and 2.8 contested defensive one-on-ones per match - elite figures for an AFL defender.
Should he decide to leave and move back home, Victoria could be just the trick to really ignite his career.
The only critique of the Western Bulldogs' side lies in their defence, with the back six sometimes not being able to cope with the forward pressure of their opposition.
If Duman were to go to the Doggies then he would be going to a side at the top of their game and, potentially with a premiership under their belt depending on how the rest of the season pans out.
It would be incredibly wise for Luke Beveridge to throw his hat in the ring for Duman's services.
Another defender who is on the outer at his club is Port Adelaide's Jarrod Lienert.
The 26-year-old hasn't been able to stitch together a decent run of games in season 2021, and has only featured recently in Rounds 13-18 before being dropped in Round 19.
Lienert's best game came against the Suns in Round 13, where he racked up 20 disposals, a goal and seven intercepts, however he hasn't quite hit those heights since then.
Defender
Seeing as he is off-contract come season's end, it might be wise for the defender to start searching for a new home considering how little game time he has been getting for Ken Hinkley's side.
With only 23 games under his belt, the Doggies could be a good destination for him if he wants to kickstart his career.
He wouldn't chew a massive chunk out of the Bulldogs' salary cap, and seeing how he doesn't look out of place when he steps into the Power's defence, could be a ready-made solution should any Doggies defenders not perform.
The Adelaide veteran is a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the season and with the experience he possesses, very well could be a big target for several clubs during trade period.
Talia hasn't been able to play at all during 2021 with foot surgery in April meaning he will likely miss the remainder of the year, but his track record until then has been more than solid.
His career average of 4.1 contested defence one on ones, 6.8 spoils and 5.4 intercept possessions per game are elite or above average numbers for a key defender, meaning any club that snatches him this trade period would be getting a true top level back-man.
If the two-time All-Australian is set to leave, then he could very well choose to move back home to Victoria where there would be no shortage of suitors wanting to take on his services.
A move to Whitten Oval would be huge for the Dogs, with Talia being a ready-made defensive stalwart who can sure things up at the back for Luke Beveridge.
However, the pair would need to cool over their past tensions following the controversies that included Daniel's brother, Michael.
Should they get the right offer in for him, then it would be a brilliant piece of business from the Dogs.
The ex-Bomber has been ruled out for the season with a back injury, however looked the goods last year when his St Kilda side made it to the semi-finals.
Carlisle was solid down back with Dougal Howard in 2020 and with his contract coming to an end at the end of this year, the 29-year-old could be looking to move on after five years at Moorabbin.
As well as playing in defence, Carlisle can comprehensively play in the ruck too, with his height of 200cm meaning that he can be employed at multiple positions around the ground.
The only thing that would perhaps deter potential buyers is the fact that he has only managed 151 games in his eleven years of AFL football, meaning he has missed large chunks of seasons in that time through injury.
Carlisle wouldn't break the bank for the Doggies, and would slot in nicely alongside the likes of Keath, Dale and Williams for the foreseeable future.
Another Crows defender, Jake Kelly is a restricted free agent at the end of the year and may well be looking for a new club if the right offer comes in.
Hailing from Victoria, the 26-year-old still has many years at the top ahead of him and could slot extremely nicely into the Doggies' backline.
Kelly is ranked 20th for total intercepts in the competition and averages 3.5 contested defence one-on-ones, 3.2 spoils and 6.4 intercept possessions per game, meaning he is very capable of breaking up attacks with his reading of the game.
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He is by no means a key defender but his athletic frame means he is able to play on both smaller and mid-sized forwards, something that the Doggies would love.
Being a restricted free agent, it would be easier for Western Bulldogs to pry him away from Adelaide should the right money come in.
If the Doggies want to sure up their back six with a solid defender, then Kelly would be a no-brainer for Luke Beveridge.