Western Bulldogs director of football Chris Grant says if there’s any athlete who can bounce back from an ACL injury at 36, it’s Dale Morris.

The inspirational Bulldog, who has overcome more than his fair share of injuries in his lengthy career, suffered an ACL injury at training on Friday.

Expert opinion is being sought by the Bulldogs and Morris around the extent of the injury, before determining the best course of action for his rehabilitation.

“That’s the question that everybody will ask, because of his age,” Grant told media at VU Whitten Oval on Friday afternoon.

“There’s two things probably around Dale. One, he wants to get the information and we want to get that for him ASAP, and then we’ll sit with him and determine an action plan from there.

“(Two) I guess if there was a player or an athlete within elite sport that could return at his age, or her age, from an injury like this, it’s Dale Morris.

“But in saying that, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before we even contemplate that.

“He’s had in his terms, a very, very good pre-season in comparison to others, so I think on the eve of the season for him and the team it’s a real cruel blow.

Grant said the Bulldogs would rally around Morris, and be ready for round one.

“We’ve had a pretty tough period of injuries over the last two years, so I think in that sense we understand that the group’s pretty resilient,” Grant said.

“But at the same time, as much as they’re excited for the season pending, they’re really devastated for him personally.

“The effort that he’s put in to get back last year in some ways was miraculous, and now to have this on the eve of the season is devastating for him.

“The positivity and spirit within the group is enormous, it’s at a really high level.

“We expect that they’ll be disappointed for him, but at the same time still looking forward to round one.”