Ironman to take on Roos

DALE Morris continues to amaze the AFL with his powers of recovery.

Even Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is surprised the defender will return for tonight’s match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

It will be less than a fortnight after he needed minor knee surgery and despite Morris’s reputation for toughness, Beveridge thought the backman would need another week.

“It’s lightning quick (and) his reputation continues to grow, doesn’t it, as the ironman,” he said.

“His recovery has been astronomical.

“His physical preparation week to week is second to none and I suppose it just helps you recover quicker.

“Even some of the things he applies himself around diet, which is going the extra yard, really helps him.”

Asked if Morris simply had a different pain tolerance, Beveridge noted the 35-year-old had not suffered the sort of soft tissue injuries that hobble older players.

“Hopefully his body can continue to hold up and we get some really good form from him as we traipse into the back end of the season,” he said.

The Bulldogs coach said star onballer Marcus Bontempelli would play after he sent a scare through the club in last week’s loss to Port Adelaide.

“We all got a bit of a shock when we saw him hyperextend that knee,” Beveridge said of Bontempelli.

“There was all sort of talk about black cats and ladders and all that sort of stuff, but he’s fine.”

The Kangaroos are defying expectations and hold eighth spot.

“They’re a different team in the way they’re playing, their defensive system has changed,” Beveridge said.

“What they’ve done with some of their change and personnel has obviously been able to gain them some territory on the ladder.

“We’ll need to bring our best to challenge them.”

The Bulldogs shivered through an early-morning beach session this week, but Beveridge was adamant it was not punishment.

“It was in our program and we picked the coldest morning of the year,” he said.

“But it was a unified dip and we all enjoyed it . . . one-in, allin and it was a good start to the day.”

Picture: QUINN ROONEY/GETTY SURPRISE PACKET: Bulldog Dale Morris will make a sooner than expected return tonight after he head minor knee surgery less than two weeks ago.