Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has provided the latest on pair Liam Jones and Cody Weightman, who were both surprisingly left out of the team's Round 17 side due to injury.
Jones is dealing with a knee issue that the Dogs hope is just a one-week layoff for the key defender, while Weightman is dealing with groin soreness that will force him to miss Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide.
The Bulldogs have their fingers crossed that Weightman also won't miss any further matches, with Beveridge confirming to media on Friday morning that the small forward and Jones pulled up sore from last week's win over North Melbourne.
"They haven't come up. They were a bit of a chance before yesterday," the Dogs coach said.
"Cody is a bit 'groiny' and Jonesy has just got a bit of knee soreness. We're not being too conservative, but hopefully, they get up pretty quickly. We'll see how we go for availability next week.
"[Weightman] just came out of [Round 16] pretty sore. It's something he's had before and did miss some footy last time. We're just hoping that settles and that he doesn't miss too much football."
"[Jones] is a bit ginger. We're hoping it's only a week. He was about to play his 100th game for the club too. We were looking forward to celebrating that, so hopefully it's next week. We don't think it's anything too severe."
Jones' absence could see forward-turned-backman Rory Lobb take on one of the Power's leading tall forwards as he looks to build on an impressive defensive switch last week.
The Dogs tall was dominant in the air behind the ball against the Kangaroos to stake his claim as a long-term defensive asset for Beveridge, who is yet to state Lobb will remain in his new role for the remainder of the year.
The 31-year-old will start in defence against the Power and will be relied on even more given Jones' omission, with youngster James O'Donnell and Buku Khamis likely to assist, while recruit Nick Coffield returns from injury.
"Lobby is experienced and highly skilled. So that gives us some piece of mind," Beveridge said.
"There's still some flexibility there for us. He can still go forward and play in the ruck if we need that in-game or any other week.
"If you're predicting (the positional switch) is permanent, I'm not making that statement today. But him being able to do what he did last week... it was really important for him and the football club.
"It provides us with something extra to think about. With Liam out this week, it goes without saying that he'll play the same role or maybe even closer to their goal."
After a month of illness and back issues, captain Marcus Bontempelli is set to enter the weekend without an ailment for the first time in four weeks.
Coffield, Khamis and Lachlan McNeil were named as inclusions by Beveridge to face the Power, with wingman Oskar Baker making way alongside Jones and Weightman.
The Power host the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 1:45 pm (AEST).
