MATTHEW Suckling is expected to be available for the Grand Final, but is no guarantee to play against the Sydney Swans even if he proves his fitness.
Western Bulldogs football chief Chris Grant confirmed on Wednesday Suckling missed the preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney through a mix of Achilles tendon soreness and the lack of a suitable match-up on the Giants' forward line.
Despite pictures that showed Suckling in apparent discomfort at training on Tuesday, Grant said the defender had emerged from the session "fine" and had "trained well".
Grant said he had no concerns about Suckling's fitness ahead of the premiership decider but suggested his hopes of a recall would hinge on the structure of the Swans' forward line.
"Matt has been a pretty important player for us, but certainly the GWS set-up with three talls in there gave us an opportunity of doing something differently," Grant said.
"We may have to do something different this week just because of the nature of Sydney's team.
"It's a nice problem to have. We've got a large number of players you could choose from to choose your best 22."
Grant also suggested ruckman Jordan Roughead would recover from the eye injury he suffered against the Giants in time for the Grand Final.
Asked what percentage he would put on Roughead's chances of proving his fitness, Grant said simply: "He's good, he's going well."
Grant said midfielder Lin Jong was also in the mix for Grand Final selection after he made a successful comeback from a broken collarbone in last Sunday's VFL Grand Final.
But the Bulldogs footy boss did not give much away when asked whether the Swans' enviable midfield depth increased Jong's chances of selection.
"It's part of the question but really we want to structure up the way we want to structure up, not necessarily just around Sydney," Grant said.
Matt Suckling reaches for his left Achilles on Tuesday. Picture: Michael Willson
