STEFAN Martin is no guarantee to fill the Western Bulldogs' ruck hole, with coach Luke Beveridge declaring it would be a "big risk" to play the underdone veteran in Sunday's elimination final against Essendon.
The Bulldogs were belted in the ruck department during their two-point loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night, a defeat that ultimately cost them a crucial top-four spot.
Tim English was used as a key forward, with Beveridge instead trusting Lewis Young to go up against Power goliath Scott Lycett.
Martin was Brisbane's No.1 ruckman for eight seasons before his move to the Whitten Oval during last year's trade period.
The 34-year-old was important for the Bulldogs early in the year but has not played due to injury since round 12.
Beveridge reiterated his point after the loss to Port that Martin was not a player the Bulldogs could depend on in their premiership tilt.
"What do you think happens if we put a player out there who can't run the game out," Beveridge said on Tuesday.
"The pressure that he puts on his teammates, the probability that we can't get to the line as a group - that's the biggest consideration.
"It's not whether Stef can turn up to stoppages and get his hands on the ball, it's whether he can play four quarters and it's whether he can operate in the turnover game.
"He hasn't played much footy, he's had one full session and one practice match, which was eight and 12-minute periods - it's not a great preparation going into a final.
"I think everyone's got to understand what the situation is. If we pick Stefan we're taking a big risk, I'm not saying we won't, there's a chance we might.
"If we feel that Stef hasn't done the yards and won't be able to get there for the full four quarters, then most likely he won't be in the team."
Beveridge said the Bulldogs had quickly moved past the disappointment of blowing a double chance in the finals after three straight defeats to end the season.
They were in the top-four since round two but a late behind from Brisbane's Lincoln McCarthy against West Coast on Saturday saw the Lions jump into fourth, putting the Bulldogs in a sudden-death final in Launceston.
"The body of work, the 15 wins, there's a stable platform there we know that can help us from here on in," Beveridge said.
"There's a great opportunity for us to win our first final for a while and that's where we turned our minds really quickly."