Western Bulldogs free agent Luke Dahlhaus says he would “love” to re-sign with the club but suggested he would likely wait out his contract year.

Dahlhaus, 25, returned to form with 31 disposals on Sunday as the Dogs recorded their first win of the season by beating Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Luke Dahlhaus outmarks Joel Patfull. Credit:Pat Scala

The 2016 premiership hero is one of five Dogs who are free agents this year. Dahlhaus and injure pair Tom Liberatore and Dale Morris are all unrestricted free agents, while Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead are on the restricted list.

Speaking after the game on Sunday, Dahlhaus said he was in no rush to put pen to paper.