Bevo was sick last week didn’t coach at all, do we ease him back in with just coaching the reserves next week then comes in for the first game depending on his form ? ;-)
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Fingers crossed re:JOD. I can't believe how important he has become to our structure given his time in the game
Macrae and JOD cleared looking to play first game.
Boost for Dogs as gun mid returns to full training
WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae has returned to full training, just in time to push his case for a spot against Melbourne in round one after injuring his hamstring during the club's pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast.
The three-time All-Australian sustained a low-grade hamstring injury at the start of the month and missed last Friday's match simulation against Hawthorn.
But after completing match simulation at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday, Macrae is on track to bank some minutes this weekend.
Luke Beveridge's side travels to Launceston to face Hawthorn at the University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday in the final tune-up ahead of the Bulldogs' season-opener on March 17.
Footscray hosts Box Hill at the Whitten Oval on Saturday, although the Bulldogs' VFL side won't be stacked with Marcus Bontempelli, Tim English, Adam Treloar, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Dale, Ed Richards and Cody Weightman, like they were last Friday afternoon.
The club will make a decision later in the week on whether to play Macrae in the AFL or VFL side after missing most of the February block of pre-season.
The 29-year-old played 119 games in succession until that streak ended when he entered the AFL's concussion protocols late last August, missing the final game of the 2023 home and away season.
Scans have cleared Category B rookie James O'Donnell of structural damage after he injured his ankle at the start of last week's scratch match.
The 21-year-old has trained as a key defender all summer and has looked set for a spot in the Dogs' backline across the summer.
After training with the main group on Wednesday, the cricket convert is expected to play some minutes this weekend.
All-Australian ruckman English was assessed for a shoulder issue during last Friday's VFL game but played on after having his shoulder strapped and hasn't reported any issues since.
So we have only two in the injury box now ?
Smith and O Driscoll ?
Shin splints is a prick of an injury for a player like Croft.
He really needs to build his body in the gym and he can?t really put on weight while battling shin splints.
Has Croft trained at all over pre season?
James O'Donnell Ankle Test Bailey Dale Hamstring Test Laitham Vandermeer Concussion Test Jordan Croft Shins 3-6 weeks Ryan Gardner Foot 4-6 weeks Aiden O'Driscoll Concussion Indefinite Bailey Smith ACL Indefinite
*Updated: March 5, 2024
Fittest most ready group of players.....is Bailey Dale a doubt for round 1?
Medical Room | Round 1
Bulldogs' defender Bailey Dale will be a test ahead of the Club's round one clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Dale suffered hamstring tightness during a pre-season fixture and will train this week before a decision is made on his availability.
Forward Laith Vandermeer remains in concussion protocols but is expected to be available for selection after Thursday's main session.
James O'Donnell (ankle) played managed minutes in the VFL and will be tested ahead of the MCG fixture.
Jordan Croft, Ryan Gardner, Aiden O'Driscoll and Bailey Smith all remain in the rehab group.
James O'Donnell Ankle Test
Bailey Dale Hamstring Test
Laitham Vandermeer Concussion Test
Jordan Croft Shins 3-5 weeks
Ryan Gardner Foot 4-5 weeks
Aiden O'Driscoll Concussion Indefinite
Bailey Smith ACL Season
JOD with his second concussion, so we won't see him for a few weeks.