Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has all but given the nod to AFL hopeful and ruckman Brayden Crossley ahead of the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period deadline this Friday.
Speaking at the Fox Footy and Kayo Sports Launch for the 2025 AFL Season, Bontempelli said the positional need for ruck depth can be met by signing Crossley amid Tim English's injury troubles.
Crossley has been training with the Bulldogs in recent weeks in a bid to return to the top flight, having spent two years at Gold Coast in 2018 and 2019 for five matches.
The Bulldogs have one list vacancy that is being fought for by the Queenslander and VFL star Dom Brew.
"It's not my call, but based on his character and energy he's brought, he's a ripper," Bontempelli said at Tuesday's Fox Footy and Kayo Sports Launch.
"Clearly from a positional perspective, the fact he's there makes good sense but him and (Dom) Brewy are outstanding people.
"We'd be happy with the character of both of them but it comes down to the balance of the team and what is needed and I think Sam (Power) will make a call on that."
Both Crossley and Brew featured in the club's match simulation against Essendon over the weekend, playing predominantly through the midfield as Luke Beveridge cycled 35 players across the day.
Elsewhere, star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan took huge steps towards returning to the AFL program, as reports indicate he trained with the club's reserves side.
"It would be the natural next step but it's probably still too soon (to determine when he returns)," Bontempelli added.
"It's good to see him at training, he had a nice weekend away at the All Stars game around his Indigenous mates."
Amid Ugle-Hagan's uncertain short-term future, bold suggestions have been made surrounding where he'll play in 2026, of which the Bulldogs skipper is not paying much attention to.
"I don't buy into it at all, to be honest," Bontempelli said
"There's always things going to be said, especially around high-profile players who are extremely talented, which is part-and-parcel with the game.
"It doesn't factor into my thinking at all. The focus is Jamarra and his personal health and well-being, and football will come second.
"But from my perspective, it doesn't change anything."
Aside from Ugle-Hagan likely missing the opening rounds of the 2025 campaign, the Bulldogs will also be without small forward Cody Weightman (knee), backman Liam Jones (hamstring) as well as Adam Treloar (calf) and Jason Johannisen (hamstring).
In line to take Jones' key defensive post is untried youngster Jedd Busslinger, who impressed Bontempelli on Saturday.
Busslinger - contracted until the end of 2026 - is deemed a project player under Beveridge and has been starved of senior opportunities due to the strength in defence, highlighted by the resurgence of Rory Lobb.
The Pick 13 selection from the 2022 National Draft has taken his game to new heights, and given the long-term injury to Jones, should come into selection consideration.
"(The injuries) will create opportunities for others but will also test our resilience, which will be a good thing," Bontempelli added.
"I've seen Jedd's growth as a player across the pre-season and the scratchies (practice match) we've played so far.
"He's had a great apprenticeship to get to learn off Liam Jones and Rory Lobb, and hopefully once Jedd comes in and he's ready, he stays in."
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports are set to reign supreme over the AFL landscape, hosting all nine matches with their own commentary team for the first time after securing the rights to the prime time slots.
