Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli is no guarantee to feature for his side's Round 2 bout with Carlton next Thursday, with the star midfielder needing to overcome an ankle sprain.
Bontempelli suffered the setback in Wednesday's loss to Melbourne, however was able to play out the match after initially requiring treatment off the field on multiple occasions.
Bulldogsโ Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell has since revealed Bontempelli will be a test for next week's match, with further assessment required before a final call is made on his selection.
โLike any ankle sprain, he has some pain and swelling that we are managing in the early part of this week,โ Bell said, with the club's website.
โWe will work through a process with Marcus into next week to determine his availability to play against the Blues on Thursday night.โ
The Bulldogs were forced to move the magnets in the final moments leading into their Round 1 grand final rematch with Melbourne, with Jason Johannisen a late withdrawal from the game after suffering a calf complaint during the warm-up.
The speedy Bulldog was replaced by prized forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in the match, with midfielder Lachie Hunter taking a spot on the field while Ugle-Hagan was named medical sub.
Bell has revealed that Johannisen will miss at least the next fortnight of action after suffering calf tightness.
โDuring the warm-up for the game against the Demons, Jason had an acute episode of calf tightness,โ Bell said.
โScans have confirmed our clinical suspicion that โJJโ has suffered a calf muscle strain.
โWe will confirm our return to play plan over the coming days, but expect him to miss the next 2-3 weeks.โ
Following their clash with the Blues next week, the Bulldogs will host Sydney at Marvel Stadium before a trip to the MCG to face Richmond.
Recruit Tim O'Brien could be in line for a spot in Beveridge's Round 2 side after completing the next step in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
โTim successfully completed a game like rehab session last Wednesday.ย He ticked off full speed and acceleration and has competed a solid block of training,โ Bell said.
โIf he gets through our final main training session on Monday, he will be putting his hand up for selection.โ
Dogs pair Toby McLean (knee) and Josh Bruce (knee) remain at least four months from a return, while young forward Sam Darcy is listed as indefinite as he battles a stress fracture in his foot.
