Bulldogs hero set to return for Lions clash
The Dogs are in line to make multiple changes for Friday’s bout with Brisbane.
There’s mixed news for the Western Bulldogs, who could be looking at two ins and two outs for Friday’s meeting with Brisbane.
The club has confirmed midfielder James Harmes has suffered a low-grade hamstring strain and will miss up to a month of action due to the ailment, which was sustained in last Friday’s win over Collingwood.
Utility Laitham Vandermeer also hurt his hamstring in the Round 12 victory but might not be facing as long on the sidelines, with the young Bulldog likely to have suffered a corked hamstring instead of a strain.
Vandermeer remains a chance to play against the Lions and will need to prove his fitness over the coming days.
“Scans have confirmed that James has suffered a low-grade hamstring injury,” Bulldogs sports medicine boss Chris Bell said in a club update.
“I expect him to miss the next 3-4 weeks of footy.
“Scans have confirmed a pocket of fluid surrounding his hamstring muscle that is related to a corky that has bled. This explains his hamstring muscle not working properly.”
“We will work through a process with Laitham this week to restore his hamstring function which will determine his availability.”
The pair of potential outs come as the Bulldogs hope to have midfield pair Tom Liberatore and Ed Richards back from concussion protocols.
Liberatore is tracking well after an extended period on the sidelines while Richards is likely to exit protocols after missing the match against the Magpies, with both players listed as tests for Round 13.
“Tom has built some great continuity in his training in the last few weeks,” Bell said.
“He has progressed as well as we could have hoped and ticked every possible box to declare his availability.
“If he gets through main training Wednesday like I expect, he will return to availability.”
Unfortunately, veteran defender Jason Johannisen is at least another month away from a return after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a calf injury.
Johannisen hasn’t played since the Dogs’ Round 9 win over Richmond, with his latest setback pushing his return to a fortnight after the club’s bye.
Forward Cody Weightman (elbow), defender Nick Coffield (shoulder) and spearhead Aaron Naughton (knee) are all close to a month away from their respective returns.