IN-FORM Bulldog Lachie Hunter is "raring to go" after recovering well from concussion symptoms sustained in a head-high tackle from Kangaroo Lindsay Thomas, according to Luke Beveridge.
The prolific playmaker was taken to hospital after the game.
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Hunter has been in career-best form this season by averaging 33 possessions a game.
The 23-year-old has also been impressive helping out a half-back line ravaged by injuries to key components Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matt Suckling.
"He's fine. He's good to go," Beveridge said of Hunter on Friday morning.
"He's done all the testing, (there's) no dramas and he'll be ready and raring to go tomorrow night (against Adelaide).
While he refused to get involved in the debate over Thomas' one-match suspension for the hit, Beveridge said he was just happy Hunter had no lingering effects and would be available for Saturday night's massive clash at Etihad Stadium.
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"I'm just glad Lachie's all right and ready to play." Beveridge said.
Missed opportunities cost the Dogs dearly against North Melbourne last week, as they did in the seven-point Elimination Final loss to the Crows last year.
The Dogs had 10 more inside 50s in that final, but failed to take their chances.
They were also caught pressing up too far on a few occasions, and the Crows scored some easy goals as a consequence.
Beveridge insisted the club has "definitely moved on" from the heartbreaking defeat and declared his young side had gained plenty from the experience.
"We're always trying to look forward, but there's no doubt we learnt a lot out of that game last year and it's helped us become a better defensive side," he said.
"The combination of scoring and defence is still a work in progress."
The coach refuted suggestions his side had become overly defensive in recent weeks and that it was costing them on scoreboard. But he did concede there had been an attacking theme at training this week.
"It's not like we've gone all defensive, we just haven't been able to capitalise on the opportunities we've created," he said.
"We have put a lot of work in to another significant phase of the game this week. Now our challenge is to ensure we don't have an over-correction and lose something elsewhere.
"This week has been all about correcting a few things, particularly how we use the footy."
With Tom Boyd still nursing a shoulder complaint, hulking forward Jack Redpath will play his first game of the season.
Beveridge said the 25-year-old had suffered a slow start to the year due to off-season surgery, but was ready to give the Dogs a presence and help them kick more goals.
"His form has been pretty good at VFL level, (so) he's earned his chance to come in," the coach said.
"We're probably a little bit bigger than we have been with Jordan (Roughead), Tom Campbell and now (Redpath), and probably a bit bigger in our backline.
"It's a different approach, a different model forced by unavailable important and talented players on our list.
"I think we've got a really strong side going into this game."
