PREMIUM
Sport

Goulburn Valley export re-signs at Western Bulldogs until end of 2024

author avatar
Locked in: Kialla product Alex Keath, in action earlier this year for the Western Bulldogs, will remain at the Kennel for another year. Photo: AAP Photo by AAP Newswire

Kialla export Alex Keath will call Whitten Oval home for another season following a one-year contract extension announcement last week.

The Western Bulldogs announced on Friday the key defender had re-signed for another year and would remain at the Kennel until the end of 2024.

Fresh off reaching 100 AFL games, the former professional cricketer has morphed into a classy and valuable asset for the Bulldogs.

The 31-year-old, originally drafted as a Category B rookie, spent multiple years at Adelaide before he joined the Bulldogs at the end of 2019.

Keath has averaged 12 disposals and five intercept possessions across 14 games this season.

He joins fellow Goulburn Valley export and Mooroopna product Laitham Vandermeer to re-sign at the club.

Western Bulldogs’ general manager of list management and recruiting Sam Power said the club was thrilled to lock Keath in for another year.

“Since crossing over from the Crows, Alex has proved a consistent performer in our backline with reliable performances on some of the best forwards in the game,” he said.

“His professional standards on and off the field set a strong benchmark for our young players, finishing inside the top six of the club’s best-and-fairest during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

“Alex remains an important part of the Bulldogs’ defence and we’re pleased he’s staying on into the 2024 season.”

The contract re-signing news was quickly overshadowed on Saturday when Keath suffered a second concussion of the season during the five-point loss to GWS.

Keath will miss the fixture against Richmond this weekend.