THE WESTERN Bulldogs expect to welcome back three crucial players for Saturday night's cut-throat elimination final with Adelaide at the MCG.
In-form veterans Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris all missed the weekend's loss to the Brisbane Lions with general soreness and the trio will add some much needed finals experience to Luke Beveridge's young side.
“Dale (Morris), ‘Murph’ (Robert Murphy) and ‘Boydy’ (Matthew Boyd) all presented really well on Monday," Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe told the club's website.
“They’ve done some good preparation over the weekend so they’re looking really positive to be available for selection this weekend.”
The news gets even better for the Dogs with forward Stewart Crameri pulling up better than expected from a corked thigh that saw him subbed out against the Lions.
“We’re certainly positive about him, he’s come in well at the start of this week so we’re positive about him being available to play this weekend," Lowe said.
Big men Tom Boyd and Tom Campbell, both late withdrawals from the VFL at the weekend, are also expected to be available to face the Crows.
“(Tom Boyd) had a little bit of tightness there that we wanted to make sure we managed conservatively, which we did so he’ll be available to be selected this weekend," Lowe said.
“Tom (Campbell) was ill on the weekend and wasn’t available to play on Saturday but he’s certainly come in well this morning."
Impressive draftee Toby McLean will play his first game in nearly two months in the VFL after recovering from AC joint surgery.
Josh Prudden will join McLean after the defender missed the past few weeks with a hamstring complaint.
