Tom Boyd's AFL return remains unclear, with a gluteal injury setting back the Western Bulldogs ruck-forward by a couple of weeks.
Injury and illness mean Boyd has not played senior football since round 13 last season.
He did not play in the Bulldogs' opening pre-season match against Hawthorn and was named as an emergency for their Moe game on Saturday against Collingwood.
"Boydy and probably a handful of others are in the mix," said Bulldogs assistant coach Steven King.
"He's still definitely not out of contention for round one - he'll get a good, solid hitout here on Saturday and look to make some improvements, to keep building.
"We forget he missed 11 games last year and had an interrupted campaign.
"For him, (it's) just finding his feet and getting back into the program full-time."
The 2013 No.1 draft pick showcased his talent with an outstanding game in the Bulldogs' drought-breaking 2016 grand final win.
A year after GWS drafted him with the top pick, he went to the Bulldogs in a bumper trade deal.
"His highs are obviously first-class and he's shown that on the biggest stage," King said.
For the first time in his coaching career, King will be in charge of the Bulldogs in Saturday's match.
Shane Biggs is a late withdrawal with a back problem and King said Mitch Wallis also is returning to full fitness after missing a couple of weeks with a gluteal injury.
But one positive in their pre-season has been onballer Tom Liberatore, who struggled last year.
"He's almost like a new recruit for us, the way he's been attacking his training," King said.
"We just saw some of the old Libba back - that gives everyone a huge lift."
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