DALE OF A TIME
BAILEY Dale’s transformation into an All-Australian can be traced back to a gut-feel call by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge in the pre-season.
After Dale managed just nine games in 2020 as a floater, not locked into any position, Beveridge switched him to defence for the final quarter of a pre-season practice match against Hawthorn.
It was a masterstroke that gave his team a launching pad towards another premiership.
The free-running, big-kicking Dale took to the new position and six months later the 25-year-old is an All-Australian and a key man in a do-ordie finals campaign.
“It came about very late in the pre-season,” Dale recalled ahead of Saturday night‘s semi-final showdown with Brisbane.
“Bevo whacked me down there and the next week against Melbourne he stuck with me, and it sort of just flowed on from there.
“We had a little chat previous to that about where I was at, and where I would be playing this year.
“He sort of said half-forward and wing again, but if the opportunity arises we might try something different.
“It did and it’s been a good change. I’m happy that I got the opportunity to go down there and give it a crack and made a good impression.”
Dale said lessons learnt as a forward and a wingman helped with his transition.
“You pick up different things playing in different areas of the ground. There were things defenders did to me which I didn’t like,” he said.
“You love space and if you don’t get that as a forward it’s hard to try and have an influence, so I stay on my man and run off when the opportunity presents.”
The Bulldogs have to do things the hard way in the finals after missing a top-four spot on percentage behind Brisbane.
It started with an elimination final win over Essendon in Tasmania, moves to Brisbane this week, then Adelaide to play Port Adelaide for a preliminary final and Perth for the grand final if they keep winning.
But with wins already on the Gold Coast, in Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this season, Dale said road trips held no fears for the Bulldogs.
“We’ve been pretty good on the road this year, spending more time together. Getting to know each other on a deeper level has been good for our group. We are starting to forge some strong bonds,” he said.
“We know we travel pretty well.”