It was one of the most talked about stories coming out of the 2025 AFL Trade Period after Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis requested a trade to Carlton.

The 25-year-old was looking for more consistent opportunity at senior level, but when the deal couldn’t get done, Khamis put his head down and got back to work.

The results of that team-first commitment speak for themselves.

Khamis would become just one of three Bulldogs players to feature in every game of the season, locked into a backline that became one of the most effective in the comp, a source of pride as he reflects on his season.

“I’ve been pleased with the way that turned out in playing every game,” Khamis told Western Bulldogs Media. “It’s taken me a while to achieve that but I’m very happy.”

On an individual level, it was Khamis’s best season to date. The defender played in his 50th game, registered career-high marks and intercepts, and finished third overall in the competition for spoils.

Khamis credits the evolution of his game to teammates, backline coach Daniel Pratt and, to at least some extent, a chip on his shoulder created by external commentary on the Bulldogs’ backline mix.

“A little bit of that is used as motivation,” he said. “The rest of it is just up to us to do something about it and make a change.

“A lot of it, at the end of the day, was between the four walls and we worked to stay more connected and try to achieve the outcomes that we set in our pre-season.

“[We did] a lot of work with our backline coach Daniel Pratt and I feel like there’s so much room for growth as well, so I’m excited for the future.

“Playing with guys like JOD, Lobby when he’s down there, Bailey Dale, Jedd Busslinger and the rest of the defenders, I feel like we’re really connected.

“We’ve been able to achieve some really good outcomes this year.”

While the decision to stay may have taken slightly longer than Bulldogs supporters might have liked, the call was relatively simple for Khamis.

Having come through the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy before being selected as a Category B rookie in the 2018 AFL Draft, Khamis hasnow spent the better part of eight years at Mission Whitten Oval.

It was this time, the connections he has formed with teammates and fans, and a desire to have his name permanently on the No. 24 locker at the Kennel that ultimately drove his decision to stay.

“I’m super happy to be staying in the red, white and blue,” he said.

“I feel like, for me, the factors were that I wanted to stay here and play over 100 games. To get my name on the locker, that would be really cool.

“If we can get the name in gold as well, that means we’ve won a premiership. Name in gold is my preference and to try to achieve life membership here as well.

“The main thing is it’s a great bunch of boys. I love all the players here, and the staff as well.

“It’s a place where I can come to work every day and be happy, while also being myself.

“It’s just a great place to be.”

The five-year deal will see Khamis remain at Mission Whitten Oval until at least 2031, with the opportunity to repay the faith shown in him by the Club and its fans a critical motivator.

“Our supporters, I feel like they’re among the best in the AFL,” he said. “Every time we run out onto the field at home games, being able to play in front of them is awesome.

“It’s something that I definitely don’t take for granted. It never gets old. I don’t think it will ever get old playing in front of our fans.”