The Western Bulldogs have added another year to rookie Joel Freijah's contract, with the teenager now signed at the Kennel until the end of the 2026 season.
The Horsham product has played 10 games in his maiden season in the AFL since being drafted to Whitten Oval as the 45th overall pick in last November's National Draft.
Utilised in defence, the 18-year-old has averaged 14.2 disposals and 4.8 marks per game in 2024.
The outside ball-winner has also played six games in the VFL this year, with a 26-disposal and 11-mark performance seeing him handed an AFL debut against Richmond the following week in Round 9.
"Joel hasn't put a foot wrong since stepping into the Club at the beginning of the year,โ Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said.
โHe has worked extremely diligently to learn his craft as a defender and has shown positive signs throughout his 10 matches in the AFL side.
โWe see a lot of growth in Joel and we look forward to watching him develop over the next two years.โ
Freijah played 10 straight games at senior level before being managed and returning through the VFL.
He has been named as a potential inclusion for this week's game against Adelaide alongside Oskar Baker and Ryley Sanders.
The Round 22 game will be played at Adelaide Oval on Sunday at 4:10pm (AEST), with reduced squads to be named at 5:00pm on Friday.
The Bulldogs have managed to secure contracts for Lachie Brambleย (2025),ย Jedd Busslingerย (2026),ย Harvey Gallagherย (2026),ย Tom Liberatoreย (2025),ย Jamarra Ugle-Haganย (2026),ย Cody Weightman (2027) and Rhylee Westย (2026) already in 2024.
