LACK of consistency has claimed another big name at the Western Bulldogs, with forward Stewart Crameri the latest star to find himself in the VFL.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Dogs on a lucrative deal at the end of 2013, joins Will Minson and Jackson Macrae as nominal best-22 players to be dropped in 2015.
"He probably hasn't been at his best this year, had a great game against Sydney when we beat them, but he needs to get back to that consistency of his past," said Luke Beveridge
"This just breaks the cycle for him. He'll go back to VFL level and be back up very shortly.
While Crameri is averaging 16 possessions a game (up from 13) from two less outings this year, he's kicked only 10 goals compared to 20 at the same point last season.
"He has had a change in role and that's part of his journey, to improve that midfield part of his game and he'll play through the midfield for most of the game against Sandringham on Sunday because we need him to share that load when he comes back up."
Third-year midfielder Nathan Hrovat has also been left out, with draftees Bailey Dale and Toby McLean preferred as high half forwards for Saturday night's clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
In a quirk of the fixture, the Dogs face the Saints for the second time in seven weeks and Beveridge hasn't drawn on his side's dismal second-half fadeout that saw his side cough up a 55-point lead back in round six.
"It's always in the back your mind, but we haven't really discussed it," said Beveridge
"A third of our team is different to last time and the Saints have four or five different players.
"That was a very difficult day and the Saints were very good, but we need to refocus."
One man who didn't play in that disappointing loss to the Saints was Dale Morris, who will play his first AFL game since round three due to a pectoral injury.
Beveridge forecasted the All Australian defender could return in a foreign role.
"He actually played forward in the VFL last week and played really well, so he might even have a stint up forward," Beveridge said
"He's a great leader, he's strong and his contest is as good as anyone's in the competition and he's one of those teammates that helps our players walk taller."
