To an extent, all footballers must have an element of bravery or courage and with the Western Bulldogs brand of football, there are many at the Club who have it in spades.

The Scott West Most Courageous Player award at the 2013 Charles Sutton Medal is one of the most sought after honours, recognising those who typify the true Bulldog spirit.

Won by Club champions’ Daniel Cross and Dale Morris in recent years, there are a number of Bulldogs in contention for the award - with Koby Stevens, Dylan Addison, Ryan Griffen, Dale Morris, Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith the frontrunners.

Liberatore and Griffen have been the engine room for the Bulldogs this season, not afraid to get their hands dirty, running and battling all day to help get their team over the line.

Ranked first and second in the Club’s tackling count, clearances and contested possessions respectively, both midfielders will go up against any opposition to win the ball and contribute to their team.

The new breed of tough nuts Koby Stevens and Clay Smith have also put their hand up for the award.

While Smith takes any opportunity to withstand a tackle and or use his physicality to beat his man, Stevens came to the kennel with a desperation to win at every contest.

Dylan Addison is another whose relentless pursuit of the ball cannot be downplayed, with his shift into a defensive forward role paying dividends.

Season 2013 has seen the 25-year-old time and time again put himself in the hole to take a contested mark or put his body on the line to lay a tackle.

The 2011 Most Courageous Player Dale Morris is also in the running, to add to the accolades of his decorated career.

Completely selfless in how he plays, the veteran’s return to football after a seriously broken leg this season needs to be commended.

Continuing to play with little regard for his own welfare so long as it benefits the team, Morris is as honest as defenders come and has been rarely beaten.