Western Bulldogs veteran Jason Johannisen is reportedly assessing his options ahead of the off-season, with the 2016 Norm Smith Medal winner eligible to exercise his rights as a free agent in 2022.
Johannisen is yet to recommit to the Bulldogs beyond this year, having last re-signed with the club in 2017 on a stunning five-year deal.
That contract has taken Johannisen into free agency for this year as an unrestricted target for rival clubs.
The Bulldogs have already been able to lock away a bevy of key names this year, however Johannisen's name is yet to surface as an incoming retention signing for the club despite opening negotiations at Whitten Oval earlier this year.
Now, according to 7 News' Mitch Cleary, Johannisen has “parked contract talks” in favour of “assessing the free agency market” this year.
Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen has put off contract talks - having previously started them earlier in the year. Assessing the free agency market.
A sense among clubs now that the Dogs are in the box seat for Liam Jones https://t.co/pRHijl0gYl
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) July 27, 2022
The Bulldogs are already bracing for external interest in midfielder Josh Dunkley, who has recently been linked to Port Adelaide.
Johannesen and Dunkley are among 15 Bulldogs players currently unsigned for next season, a group that includes Bailey Smith, Toby McLean, Taylor Duryea and Rhylee West.
McLean, Duryea, Mitch Wallis, Stefan Martin and Zaine Cordy joined Johannisen in falling under the unrestricted free agents band in 2022, meaning the Dogs won't be able to match a bid for any of their sextet.
Johannisen has played just the six matches this season after battling a calf injury throughout the opening half of the season, making his return to Luke Beveridge's side in Round 14.
Likely to line up for his seventh straight match this weekend, Johannisen and the Dogs will be looking to snap Geelong's nine-game winning run at Kardinia Park on Saturday night.
