Western Bulldogs free agent Buku Khamis revealed he was "pretty close" to joining Carlton but opted to pen a five-year extension to remain at the Whitten Oval.
Khamis had been heavily courted by the Blues over the past 18 months, and a failed trade request last year meant he stayed in the tri-colours.
Entering 2026 as a free agent, a move was simpler from the western suburbs to Ikon Park, but Khamis realised the Bulldogs were where his heart belongs.
“To be honest, I was pretty close,” he told the Herald Sun.
“I was leaning … Carlton was the other side, so I was happily considering them.
“It's hard, because I feel like sometimes the emotions just fluctuate up and down and one week you want to do this, one week you want to do that. But for me, it was important to lay down all the facts and different options in terms of the clubs and have conversations with people that you feel like you need to have with so they can help best guide you.
“Throughout the whole process, Carlton were really, really good. I couldn't speak more highly of (Blues head of football) Chris Davies and his team.”
The Bulldogs signed Khamis - a South Sudan-born utility - as a Category B Rookie in 2018. He's played 66 games, but it was this year he featured in a career-high 25 matches, locking down a defensive role under Luke Beveridge.
And the lure of getting his name on the No.24 locker, after 100 games, was another reason Khamis signed with the Bulldogs.
“At times, it was definitely tough figuring out what to do and weighing up options and that sort of thing," he said.
“I feel like the players here and the staff are really great people. It's easy for me to come to work every day, and be myself and be happy.
“That allows me to play good footy, but the main factors for me was that I want to hit over 100 games at the Western Bulldogs, get my name on the locker and achieve life membership. And obviously push to win a premiership which is the number one goal that we all have. The work that I do here in our community foundation, as well, is something that keeps me really connected and grounded.
"Those were the main reasons that I wanted to call Whitten Oval my home for the next five years.”
