The Western Bulldogs are in a world of hurt after a disastrous trip down to Geelong, but a major positional move has been floated as a saviour.
Speaking on the Six Points AFL podcast, Mark Stevens has called for Bailey Dale to go back to where he started - the forward line.
“Bailey Dale, who at the moment has been just off his game, he's not kicking well, seems out of touch completely, he's moving to the goal square, so he's going to play full forward, lead out of the square," Stevens said.
"Bailey Dale's done it before, he started as forward, in 2019 he kicked 21 goals in 10 games, including five against Adelaide, a natural forward, knows where to lead, is a good finisher, and away we go."
Under the plan to move Dale forward, Joel Freijah would be pushed to half-back to improve the disposal out of defence against the Swans on Thursday night.
"They need to change a few things up the Dogs, Joel Frejiah is an absolute gun, apart from a quarter or two against Adelaide, where he dominated, hasn't quite clicked this year, and they're not kicking it well out of the back line," Stevens said.
“So what would I do? Frejiah is going to half-back, so to set up back from there."
The Dogs are reeling after a 75-point loss and a raft of injuries, including a season-ender to Sam Darcy.
Midfield bull Tom Liberatore suffered a concussion after a stray knee from Patrick Dangerfield, and James O'Donnell and Rory Lobb both suffered hamstring injuries.
Speaking on the Six Points AFL podcast, Daniel Harford described the night as a "Nightmare".
“A nightmare night at the office for the Bulldogs," Harford said.
“Luke Beveridge mentioned traumatic three times in three sentences in the presser."
The Bulldogs are likely to gain Adam Treloar this week against the Swans, and may also gain a star ruckman, Tim English.
