Western Bulldogs superstar in doubt for blockbuster Sydney clash

A horror fortnight for the Western Bulldogs could be set to reach a new low, with the club’s superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli in doubt for the side’s blockbuster clash on Thursday night with Sydney.

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Despite the Dogs being forced into five changes, Bontempelli has been named in tomorrow’s side. However, a late change could still be on the cards, according to football insiderMitch Cleary.

«He’ll be named tonight, [they’ll] send him to the ground tomorrow at Marvel Stadium ahead of the game against the Swans, [and] see how he warms up,» Cleary said on Triple M on Wednesday.

«So there might be an emergency or two just waiting in the wings for the Bont to see how that knee responds.

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«They’re adamant there’s no actual injury, it’s more the bruising and the six-day break.»

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Bontempelli hyperextended his knee in the Dogs’ mammoth loss to Geelong last Friday, but he wasn’t the only player to walk away from the game less than 100 per cent. 

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Star forward Sam Darcy saw his season come to an end after rupturing his ACL in the second quarter, meanwhile midfielder Tom Liberatore will miss this week against the Swans with yet another concussion, as will defenders Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell (both hamstrings).

Jordan Croft has also been omitted from the side, but has been listed as an emergency for the game, meaning he is still a chance to face Sydney should Bontempelli withdraw from the contest.

The Dogs have welcomed back a host of players into the side, namely star midfielder Adam Treloar, who will make his season debut after 40 disposals in the VFL last week.

On the other side, Sydney themselves will be without one of their stars, with Isaac Heeney to miss his second game of the season with a calf injury. 

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