Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has hailed two of his players who are holding key roles in the club's September push after falling out of the side this year, admitting the season "hasn't been easy for them".
All-Australian and premiership-winning duo Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel have both spent periods playing at VFL level in 2024 as Beveridge challenged the duo at selection, at times bringing in less experienced options in search of the right mix.
The pair have collectively either been the tactical sub or been subbed out of a match on a total of 11 occasions this year, Daniel making up eight of those, to add to their frustrations.
The helmeted ball-winner played his first full AFL game since Round 13 last week, while Macrae returned in the same match but started as sub for the second straight game.
The pair held down roles for the entirety of Sunday's win over GWS and looked back at the needed level, complementing an engine room that has seen Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Adam Treloar and Tom Liberatore lead the way this year.
Both Daniel and Macrae have had their futures at the Kennel questioned after falling out of favour, but Beveridge sees "long futures" in his veterans, who "are nowhere near finished" according to their coach.
Speaking after his side's finals-clinching win over the Giants, the Bulldogs' premiership coach lauded his senior pairing for overcoming the challenges presented to them this year.
"Those two gentlemen are two examples of experienced players who are nowhere near finished," Beveridge said.
"You challenge them in different ways and it provides opportunities for others, who may play the game a different way to what [Macrae and Daniel] do.
"But ultimately, CD and Jack have got inherent traits in their game that are real strengths. They have been challenged. For them, over the past couple of weeks to now, to play the roles they have been playing, drawing on their experience and their nous was important for the team.
"They've still got long futures ahead of them those two. I know it hasn't been easy for them."
Macrae is the Dogs' second most experienced player, behind Treloar only, while Daniel is one of eight players on the club's list with more than 175 games in their career.
The Bulldogs could regain one of those eight players for their first final in defender Jason Johannisen, who has not played since Round 9 due to a calf injury.
Beveridge is also a chance to regain small forward Rhylee West (jaw) for the club's first final, which will come against Hawthorn.
Details of the complete finals series fixture are expected to be confirmed on Monday.