Dale Morris continues to amaze the AFL with his powers of recovery.
Even Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is surprised that the defender will return for Saturday night's match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
It will be less than a fortnight after he needed minor knee surgery and despite Morris' reputation for toughness, Beveridge thought the backman would need another week.
"It's lightning quick (and) his reputation continues to grow, doesn't it, as the ironman," Beveridge said.
"His recovery has been astronomical.
"His physical preparation week to week is second to none and I suppose it just helps you recover quicker.
"Even some of the things he applies himself around diet, which is going the extra yard, really helps him."
Asked if Morris simply had a different pain tolerance to most people, Beveridge noted the 35-year-old has not suffered the sort of soft tissue injuries that hobble older players.
Instead, Morris' injuries have tended to be impact or structural.
"So hopefully his body can continue to hold up and we get some really good form from him as we traipse into the back end of the season," Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs coach added star onballer Marcus Bontempelli would definitely play, after he sent a massive scare through the club in last week's loss to Port Adelaide.
Beveridge expects no late changes, despite their rash of injuries.
"We all got a bit of a shock when we saw him hyper-extend that knee," Beveridge said of Bontempelli.
"There was all sort of talk about black cats and ladders and all that sort of stuff, but he's fine."
As the Bulldogs' struggles continue, the Kangaroos are defying expectations and hold eighth spot.
"They're a different team in the way they're playing, their defensive system has changed," Beveridge said.
"What they've done with some of their change and personnel has obviously been able to gain them some territory on the ladder.
"We'll need to bring our best to challenge them."
The Bulldogs shivered through an early-morning beach session earlier this week, but Beveridge was adamant it was not punishment for their poor form.
"It had nothing to do with the Port Adelaide (loss) - you would have recalled, I was quite buoyed by the way the boys fought it out," he said.
"It was in our program and we picked the coldest morning of the year.
"But it was a unified dip and we all enjoyed it. ... one-in, all-in and it was a good start to the day.
'I don't think the Brightonites were too happy that the car park was full."
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