The Western Bulldogs will continue to hunt "top-end talent" in the coming years after missing out on St Kilda's Callum Wilkie, with the Dogs revealed to have made a "significant play" for another star defender before Wednesday's trade period deadline.
The Dogs were keen on Wilkie but failed to lure the Saints leader to the Kennel, with St Kilda handing the All-Australian a bumper deal amid external interest and the club's busy off-season plans.
The Western Bulldogs have shown a desire to bolster their key defensive options, but only want to do so through recruitment of the game's top level backmen.
Speaking on Trade Radio, Dogs player acquisition lead Michael Regan revealed Wilkie "wasn't the only player we approached".
"We did look at a few others," Regan confirmed.
"There was a fair bit going on behind the scenes, and Callum wasn't the only player we approached.
"The reasons for wy they didn't happen are layered and multifaceted."
A report from afl.com.au's Riley Beveridge has revealed the Bulldogs made a "significant play" for contracted Adelaide tall Mark Keane during the trade period.
Keane is signed at West Lakes through to the end of 2028 and is coming off a career-best year that saw him named in the All-Australian squad.
With moves for both Wilkie and Keane falling short, the Dogs will now look to future trade windows to better their list as part of an "aggressive" strategy.
Regan said the club will look to use the upcoming Supplemental Selection Period to potentially add experienced talent, but the Dogs want to be sure any list additions are a desired fit.
"We'll be open to that... SSP is something we'll explore at some level," he added.
"But we have to make sure whoever we bring in is going to make a meaningful impact for the football club. That will be the lens that we look at (recruiting) through.
"There's a much longer-term strategy at play, and we might not see the fruits of that labour until the next trade period or the trade period after.
"But we want to make sure we're aggressive and looking at top-end talent."
The attention of AFL clubs now turns to the draft, which will take place on November 19-20.
The Western Bulldogs exited the trade period with Picks 14, 33, 70 and 74, along with the acquisition of Connor Budarick from Gold Coast.
