Call from Bevo: St Kilda star speaks to Dogs coach over potential move

Cal Wilkie spoke to Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge at the weekend as the St Kilda star considers his playing future.

SEN can reveal that Wilkie took a phone call from Beveridge, with the pair speaking about a potential future at the Whitten Oval.

Wilkie, 29, is contracted at the Saints until the end of 2027 and is still unlikely to leave Moorabbin, where he stands to inherit the captaincy next season.

But as reported on SEN.com.au last month, Wilkie has been disillusioned with the direction of the club for periods of 2025, particularly over its list management direction.

There is also a feeling that, as an All-Australian and best and fairest winner, Wilkie is underpaid at around $750,000 a season – a figure that 25-game recruit Leek Aleer is close to signing for.

The Dogs are desperate to land a proven, high-calibre key back to support the likes of Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell. They have presented Wilkie with a four-year offer worth around $1.1 million a season.

But the Bulldogs have also made clear that they are prepared to increase that offer should Wilkie show an inclination to move.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon only last month emphatically denied reports of player unrest.

“There’s a lot of half-baked stories, that’s what I see,” Lyon told Channel 9.

“Callum Wilkie rang me, he goes, 'I've never entertained leaving St Kilda, I love St Kilda, I love what we’re doing’.

“I think that speaks volumes.”