HAVING "dodged a bullet" in the AFL off-season, Western Bulldogs utility Daniel Giansiracusa has declared himself available for round one.

Giansiracusa and several other key senior players from the Bulldogs and Melbourne played in sweltering conditions today at suburban Sandringham.

They were given AFL permission to play in the bye week ahead of the start of the regular season, with the Bulldogs turning out for new VFL affiliate Williamstown and the Demons in the Sandringham side.

It was the second game back for Giansiracusa, who partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee before Christmas.

He managed to avoid the dreaded reconstruction surgery that would have ruined his 2008 season.

"I'm available, obviously it's up to the coaches, we've had guys in form," he said.

"I've sort-of dodged a bullet with the knee, if it takes a couple of rounds to get in, then so be it."

Other AFL players who played in the game included Giansiracusa's teammate Lindsay Gilbee and Demons such as Cameron Bruce, Jared Rivers and Paul Wheatley.

"It was hot, that's an understatement, but I think all the AFL guys got through," Giansiracusa said.

"It was obviously scrappy, but the intensity was up, which is I suppose what everyone wanted - just a bit of a hit-out and conditioning.

"That's the main thing, that everyone got through healthy and ready to go for next week."

Rivers also had his second game back after his 2007 season was ruined by the groin condition osteitis pubis.

Sandringham coach Andy Lovell said the key defender was improving his fitness, but might need one or two more weeks in the VFL before he pushes for senior selection.