Injury-hit Dogs eye Minson for AFL return

Forgotten ruckman Will Minson is in line to play his first AFL game of the season as injuries and suspensions continue to bite the Western Bulldogs.

Will Minson of the Bulldogs

Forgotten Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson is in line to play his first AFL game of the season. (AAP)

Forgotten Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson is in the frame to play his first AFL game of the season as coach Luke Beveridge's selection options continue to be savaged by injury and suspension.

The club's personnel issues, due largely to a lengthy injury list, were exacerbated on Tuesday when Matthew Boyd and Jack Redpath accepted one-game bans arising from incidents during the Dogs' win over Melbourne.

The Bulldogs, fifth on the AFL ladder, face a daunting task on Sunday when they take on third-placed Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.

Beveridge forecast the possible return of mobile ruckman Jordan Roughead to a defensive post against the imposing Giants' forward line, opening the door for Minson after an impressive display at VFL level.

"He dominated the ruck and, as the game went on, I think we got more value out of his dominance out there at Port Melbourne," Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday at Whitten Oval.

"So he's doing everything he can to get back in. You can't ask for more than that, so we'll definitely consider him.

"He played really well in the corresponding game (against GWS) last year and that will go in his favour."

Minson, an All Australian in 2013, fell out of favour in Beveridge's first season at the club, managing just 10 games last year.

The coach said midfielder Koby Stevens is a strong chance to return from an abdominal strain but former Giant Tom Boyd will remain sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen, Marcus Adams and Matt Suckling - all defenders - are among other notable Bulldogs injured.

Beveridge admitted the cupboard was pretty bare down back but added he was 'stoked' with the way his onball brigade had taken up the slack.

"Our players have been enormous in that every time there's been a challenge and they've lost one of their teammates, they've adjusted and done everything that we've asked of them," he said.

"We've been a little bit unlucky but we're still definitely glass half-full.

"It's been a real credit to our players to continue the momentum when we've lost players throughout the course of the year."


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Source: AAP



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