ARRIVING at the Club for his first official look at the facilities, new Assistant Coach Dale Amos shared his excitement for the opportunity at hand. 

Amos joins the Dogs having spent the last five years working as the Head of Football at Xavier College in Melbourne, but expressed his refreshed enthusiasm to return to the AFL landscape. 

“I jumped at the opportunity off the back of where the Club sits and the opportunity it presents,” Amos told Bulldogs Media. 

“The Club and the position the Club is in is really exciting.

“The chance to back in a high performance-environment working with really motivated and driven individuals, along with what I know is a really-high calibre coaching group.” 

Amos will be a familiar face amongst both the playing and coaching group, having spent time with AFLW Head Coach Tam Hyett, General Manager of Football Operations and Matt Egan and Head of Development Luke Power across his time coaching with Melbourne AFLW, Geelong and Carlton. 

Known and loved by players for his tough-but-fair approach, the new coach is keen to see the Dogs’ backline continue building on the strong foundations which emerged during the 2026 season. 

With the young talent of James O’Donnell, Buku Khamis and Michael Sellwood setting the tone with support from the more seasoned campaigners of Bailey Dale and Rory Lobb, the potential of the group was another factor which enticed Amos to look more closely at the opportunity. 

“They all seem really motivated and excited about the season ahead,” he said

“The idea that the group has got great potential and is on the cusp of being able to really forge forward and do some exciting things on the footy field. 

“I was wanting to step into something like that and, obviously, the Bulldogs present a great opportunity to do that.”

The new coach won’t have to wait long to sink his teeth into the new role, with the AFL pre-season getting closer by the day. 

For Amos, the time ahead of the 2027 will be defined by a few simple philosophies. 

“Competition,” he said on what he’d like to see from the group.

“For me, probably having worked in-and-around footy a fair bit a real foundation of what I believe as a coach is around ability to compete really strongly - particularly on the training track. 

“That will be foundational. 

“Then just try and create an environment where people feel really cared for, and loved and supported so that they can be themselves and also be at their best.