Will Minson is the old Bulldog learning new AFL tricks as he tries to force his way back into the senior team.
The 31-year-old is on the verge of a recall as the Western Bulldogs prepare for Saturday night's big match against Sydney at the SCG.
Minson has not played in the AFL since last year's elimination final loss to Adelaide.
He has languished in the VFL as teammates such as Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead have shared the ruck duties.
But coach Luke Beveridge is impressed with Minson's form, saying he has shown some form in attack as well as rucking well.
Beveridge is admamant that his AFL ruckmen must also be dangerous as resting tall forwards.
"As soon as we feel like he deserves a spot in front of someone, we'll play him," Beveridge said.
"To his credit, you can always teach an old dog new tricks and he's learning a few.
"He'll come in very soon, if it's not this week."
Saturday's twilight match will be the third time this season that the Bulldogs have gone on the road and one of the league's toughest away matches comes at a crucial time.
The Bulldogs suffered the worst loss of the year so far in round 13, with Geelong opening them up by 57 points.
It left the Bulldogs a game outside the top four as they come off their mid-season bye, while the Swans are second and will go top if they win.
The Bulldogs have shown mixed interstate form this season - a 25-point loss to GWS in round nine, but then an outstanding three-point win over Port Adelaide two games ago.
The last time they played Sydney was in round five last year, also at the SCG, when the Bulldogs' stirring four-point win was an early indicator of their re-emergence.
Meanwhile, Minson is among five players in the selection mix this week, with defender Easton Wood certain to return from a hamstring injury.
Dashing half-back Jason Johannisen could come straight back into the senior side, despite his nasty hamstring tear sidelining him since round four.
Tom Boyd and Koby Stevens are on the verge of recalls, but will have to convince the Bulldogs this week that they are over their injury problems.
