Roughead, Suckling may be clear to play
THE Western Bulldogs are increasingly optimistic key duo Jordan Roughead and Matt Suckling will be fit to take on Sydney in the Grand Final.
Roughead’s vision has fully returned following the nasty blow he suffered in the preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney, while Suckling is making solid progress in his recovery from an achilles tendon injury.
The former Hawthorn premiership player was a surprise omission from the preliminary side, but trained with the main group yesterday afternoon at Whitten Oval.
Both must pass fitness tests at the club’s main training session tomorrow in order to play against the Swans.
“(Roughead) is going well,” assistant coach Steven King said of his recovery from an eye bleed.
“He was in today and went through the review process with the group and he’s feeling a lot better.
“He’s optimistic and the specialist is optimistic as well that he’ll recover (in time). We’ve just got to make sure that he can train and the process from there is that it doesn’t bleed again, but he’s really positive about it.”
Suckling took part in a light 45-minute session then stayed behind for 15 minutes as he was put through his paces by fitness staff and assistant coach Rohan Smith.
In his first season with the Dogs since switching from the Hawks, Suckling is in line to play in his fourth grand final.
“Suckers has been fantastic for our group since he walked in the door,” King said. “The boys really rate him, he’s a great character, so we’ll give him every chance to get back.
“He’s in our best 22 when he’s fit and available, so hopefully he can prove his fitness.”
King said Lin Jong had pulled up well from his first game back from a fractured collarbone — a best afield performance in the VFL grand final — and would come into grand final consideration.