Western Bulldogs key defender Alex Keath is expected to be available for Sunday afternoon’s clash with Hawthorn at UTAS stadium in Launceston.
The 31-year-old missed last Friday night’s win over Richmond due to the concussion he sustained against Greater Western Sydney in round 20.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Keath would be considered to return to the backline that performed exceptionally well last Friday night.
“We expect Keath to be available,” Beveridge told reporters at the VU Whitten Oval on Thursday morning.
“It has to be considered based on the team’s setup. The small to mediums worked really well for us last week.
“We haven’t always taken the old horses for courses approach where you pick your team around the opposition’s forwards.”
However, the news isn’t as good for defender Ryan Gardner who is set to miss another week.
The 2019 mid-season rookie draft selection missed last week with general soreness and Beveridge expects him to miss a second game
“He’s had a number of things. It came out in the injury sheet as a toe which he’s been dealing with but he’s had an ankle and a little bit of a calf,” Beveridge said.
“That was the challenge in Ballarat losing two key position players and then Gardy (Gardner) having to stay out there compromised. We just want him to be right and I think he will probably take another week.”
The Bulldogs will aim to nullify the influencer of Hawthorn captain James Sicily after the star defender collected 37 disposals and 19 marks in the win against Collingwood last Saturday.
“He’s a very good interceptor as we know and he uses the ball incredibly well and they try to get it in his hands,” he said.
“We will be aware of that. With our probably taller forward line, can they afford to play him in that role, we will wait and see."
Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli is a chance to be tagged by Hawthorn stopper Finn Maginness in the week after he kept Collingwood father son Nick Daicos to five touches at the MCG.
Beveridge said the Dogs expect Hawthorn to put some work into the four-time All-Australian and four-time Charles Sutton Medal winner.
“He’s (Maginness) had some influential outings and quelling influence of some marquee midfielders,” he said.
“Over recent history when we’ve played the Hawks it’s probably been Connor Nash who’s played that role, so we will be expecting someone to do it and if he’s picked you’d expect he’s got a negating role on someone.
“Marcus’ role and the way he plays it sometimes he will be stationed forward of the stoppage. There’s not many six foot four, speed and endurance, powerful ariel and ground taggers who can go with Marcus. He’ll challenge him forward.”
The Bulldogs have won five of their past six against the Hawks including by 27 points in round seven this year. They have also won their last two matches in Launceston including the elimination final victory against Essendon in 2021.
