GVGjr
19-02-2020, 11:28 PM
Alex Keath (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/alex-keath-set-to-open-for-the-western-bulldogs-20200219-p542fm.html)
Western Bulldogs defender Alex Keath looks set to play his first game for the club since crossing from Adelaide in Friday night's Marsh Community Series match against North Melbourne.
The intercept defender played against his new club in his final match for the Crows in round 23 in Ballarat, but he didn't see out the game because of a stress fracture in his leg that required an operation after he was traded to the Bulldogs on the final day of last year's trade period.
The 28-year-old has recovered well enough to be in the mix for the Friday night clash despite the slow start to his pre-season and shapes as an important asset for the Bulldogs in 2020.
The Bulldogs are expected to make a call on their other star recruit, former St Kilda forward Josh Bruce, leading into Friday night's game as they work out the best pre-season program for each individual in between now and their season opener against Collingwood on March 20.
Unlucky midfielder Mitch Wallis is also in the mix to play as he returns after being sidelined for the second half of last season with bone stress in his ankle. The 27-year-old missed the Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership in 2016 after breaking his leg and has played just one final in his 133-game career.
New captain Marcus Bontempelli is expected to be in the squad, with the Bulldogs expected to play their trio of players selected in the Bushfire Relief match at Marvel Stadium on February 28. Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen is to play for the All-Stars and Jackson Macrae has been selected to play alongside Bontempelli for Victoria.
The Bulldogs also expect Caleb Daniel to play after a flawless pre-season that came after he missed the end of last season due to a poorly-timed hamstring injury.
The versatile Daniel will add to the Bulldogs' options in 2020 as they enter the season with high expectations. The Bulldogs will be without premiership captain Easton Wood as he recovers from a hamstring niggle with the club being cautious as they hope to have him back in the second Marsh Community Series match.
They also lost unlucky midfielder Lin Jong after he injured his hamstring in a scratch match last week. The Bulldogs anticipate it being a medium-term injury that could see him sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.
Western Bulldogs defender Alex Keath looks set to play his first game for the club since crossing from Adelaide in Friday night's Marsh Community Series match against North Melbourne.
The intercept defender played against his new club in his final match for the Crows in round 23 in Ballarat, but he didn't see out the game because of a stress fracture in his leg that required an operation after he was traded to the Bulldogs on the final day of last year's trade period.
The 28-year-old has recovered well enough to be in the mix for the Friday night clash despite the slow start to his pre-season and shapes as an important asset for the Bulldogs in 2020.
The Bulldogs are expected to make a call on their other star recruit, former St Kilda forward Josh Bruce, leading into Friday night's game as they work out the best pre-season program for each individual in between now and their season opener against Collingwood on March 20.
Unlucky midfielder Mitch Wallis is also in the mix to play as he returns after being sidelined for the second half of last season with bone stress in his ankle. The 27-year-old missed the Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership in 2016 after breaking his leg and has played just one final in his 133-game career.
New captain Marcus Bontempelli is expected to be in the squad, with the Bulldogs expected to play their trio of players selected in the Bushfire Relief match at Marvel Stadium on February 28. Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen is to play for the All-Stars and Jackson Macrae has been selected to play alongside Bontempelli for Victoria.
The Bulldogs also expect Caleb Daniel to play after a flawless pre-season that came after he missed the end of last season due to a poorly-timed hamstring injury.
The versatile Daniel will add to the Bulldogs' options in 2020 as they enter the season with high expectations. The Bulldogs will be without premiership captain Easton Wood as he recovers from a hamstring niggle with the club being cautious as they hope to have him back in the second Marsh Community Series match.
They also lost unlucky midfielder Lin Jong after he injured his hamstring in a scratch match last week. The Bulldogs anticipate it being a medium-term injury that could see him sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.