Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli remains uncertain for Saturday’s match against North Melbourne after experiencing back spasms during training this week. The five-time All-Australian participated in a light training session at Whitten Oval on Friday morning and will undergo further evaluation indoors later in the day.
Bontempelli, who recently recovered from a bout of flu to deliver a standout performance in round 14, leading his team to a commanding victory over Fremantle, currently ranks highly in the coaches’ award and is considered a frontrunner for the Brownlow Medal.
Coach Luke Beveridge expressed cautious optimism about Bontempelli’s availability, noting that while he feels okay, they want to ensure he is fully fit before making a final decision.
With Aaron Naughton returning from an MCL injury and Sam Darcy back from suspension, the Bulldogs are set to field all four key forwards against North Melbourne for the first time this season, alongside Rory Lobb and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Beveridge emphasized the team’s commitment to selection integrity following Lobb’s impressive performance in the previous game, underscoring the strategic challenge of balancing a formidable forward line.
The Bulldogs made the decision to omit Buku Khamis from the lineup on Thursday, opting not to replace him with another defender alongside Liam Jones and James O’Donnell.
Beveridge hinted at Lobb potentially playing a defensive role, while also highlighting the anticipation surrounding former first-round pick Jedd Busslinger’s awaited debut in the AFL.