THE WESTERN Bulldogs are set to lose key players Jordan Roughead and Jason Johannisen to injury for Saturday night's elimination final against Adelaide at the MCG.
Roughead sustained a finger injury in the win over North Melbourne in round 22 while Johannisen has a minor calf injury.
"They're two big loses," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge conceded on Tuesday.
"(Roughead) ripped a tendon off the bone on one of his fingers against the Kangaroos two weeks ago and he's been sore in another couple of areas.
"He's most likely not to play.
"We'll lose Jason Johannisen as well, unfortunately. He's got a minor calf injury."
Once a scarce commodity at Whitten Oval, Beveridge believes the Dogs' newfound depth will again serve them well.
"As we have all year, we've lost players and had boys come in and step up, and this week will be no different," Beveridge said.
"It's a credit to our players and how resilient they've been and young guys coming in and playing their roles."
Out of favour for much of the season, Will Minson looms as a possible replacement for Roughead.
The All Australian ruckman is best credentialed to confront key Crow Sam Jacobs, but he hasn't been sighted at senior level since round 15.
"Between Will, Tommy Campbell, Tommy Boyd and Ayce Cordy, we'll need another ruckman and we'll make that decision later in the week," Beveridge said.
Roughead's absence will also be felt down back, with youngsters Fletcher Roberts and Joel Hamling set for pivotal roles on Adelaide's key forwards Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins.
The inexperienced duo has only played 28 AFL games between them.
"'Fletch' will be better for last week's run (after injury) and Joel Hamling is tall - between those two and Dale (Morris) and (Easton Wood) helping them out, we'll be OK," Beveridge said.
"(Michael) Talia is also there and he's a wildcard selection."
In better news for the Dogs, skipper Robert Murphy declared himself "ready to go" for the Bulldogs' first finals campaign since 2010.
The 32-year-old missed the loss to the Brisbane Lions with general soreness.
"I've put my name up, (Beveridge) has got to pick me, but I'm expecting to be there," Murphy said.
"I was a little bit proppy last Thursday, but had a run on Sunday and moved freely again."
Beveridge said he was pleased to have the 32-year-old back to add some much needed experience and leadership.
"I was just saying to Bob, (it's a credit) to him, Dale Morris, Easton Wood, Matty Boyd, they've been the core of our backline all year and all around them we've been losing players," he said.
"And with young players coming in and out, that stability has been really crucial for us."
Fellow veterans Boyd and Morris are also near certainties to play in their return from general soreness while the Dogs are confident Stewart Crameri will overcome a corked thigh.
