WESTERN BULLDOGS ruckman Stefan Martin is “absolutely in the mix” to face Port Adelaide this weekend, according to senior foxfooty.com.au reporter Tom Morris.
Martin has played just seven games for the Dogs this season, with his most recent match in Round 12 when he was subbed out against Fremantle with a shoulder injury.
Since that game, Martin has been hampered by persistent hip and groin issues.
The day after the Bulldogs lost to Port Adelaide by two points in Round 23, Martin played well in a scratch match, emerging from his 90 minutes of game time unscathed.
Speaking on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight, Morris said Martin was “a very good chance” to face the Power in Saturday night’s elimination final.
“Stefan Martin hasn’t played for quite some time, but he is a chance to play this weekend. I’m told that he’s absolutely in the mix as he recovers from this injury,” Morris told AFL Tonight.
“One of the criticisms from Luke Beveridge towards his team in the press conference after that Port Adelaide game was the ruck division. It was Lewis Young, it was Tim English – they got belted by the Port Adelaide ruckmen.
“They’re playing Port Adelaide again with the same ruck division, so there’s no doubt that Stefan Martin is in the mix to play. Lewis Young had 53 per cent game time last weekend, it might be Stefan Martin’s last year in the AFL system, but he is fit to play.
“He had a big training session in Tasmania with other players who didn’t play in the semi-final on the weekend and he got through that OK. He’s now in Perth with the team.”
The Dogs have been reluctant this season to re-call young ruckman Jordon Sweet, who hasn’t played an AFL game since May.
Superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli remains a test for Saturday night’s game after his late-game knee scare against the Lions.
The Bulldogs will have to find a replacement for small forward Cody Weightman, who’s been ruled out due to concussion. Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen, who was subbed in for Weightman against Brisbane, is the leading candidate to move into the starting 22, while emergencies Anthony Scott and Mitch Wallis would also be considered.