Luke Beveridge is remaining both tight-lipped and optimistic about the Western Bulldog's list management needs.
Speaking after his side's elimination final loss to the Adelaide Crows, "Bevo" would not be drawn on the club's pursuit of superstar free agent Zak Butters, or a litany of other potential inclusions, to protect the Dogs players currently in those roles.
"It's too early to be speculating on all that sort of stuff," Beveridge said, of Butters, post-match, offering that the club are well-positioned to make a play for the Victorian, or anyone else, come free agency.
"It's going to be difficult for everyone with the compromised draft(s) over the next couple of years. I believe we've set ourselves up pretty well with trying to evolve over the last couple of years, (to) generate some productivity through the younger guys, making some tough decisions.
"We're in a pretty good spot, but ultimately, that list management side of it - that's for another day."
Beveridge did, however, appear confident in the club's prospects of retaining Buku Khamis and Arty Jones - two players linked with moves away from the Kennel.
"The signs are pretty good with "Buk" (Buku Khamis) and Arty (Jones). We're getting to the point where that will come to a head shortly, and we're really hopeful that those two boys are going to be with us next year.
Beveridge was asked for the names of some potential inclusions, with names like Gold Coast's Charlie Ballard and Adelaide's Jordon Butts finding themselves persistently linked with the club over the Westgate, but would not comply. He did, however, offer that the club will take a keener interest in established talent, given the wealth of youth blooded in recent times.
"I'd rather not go there because I'm always wary of being disrespectful to boys who are currently playing in different positions," Beveridge answered.
"As you'd expect, we've been working through our calculations with our list management team, planning for the future. We've got to keep doing what we can for the football club and our supporter base, to continue to try and make it watertight.
"In this market, with Tasmania coming in and the compromised situation, we've had to plan a long way out. We're working through it, but we're a younger group. We've emerged, we've evolved, so looking at more experienced acquisitions are pretty important for our list management team at the moment."
The free agency period begins on October 2nd.
