Captain Marcus Bontempelli is "pretty optimistic" he will be fit to play in the Western Bulldogs' AFL match against North Melbourne despite lingering concerns over a back issue.
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Bontempelli completed the Dogs' light touch session at Whitten Oval on Friday, two days after suffering a back spasm when he fell awkwardly under the weight of a tackle at training.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge suggested his star man was an "above 50 per cent" chance of playing against the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
If required, Bontempelli will be given until the opening bounce to prove his fitness.
"It's just one of those back spasms where he's been a bit 'discy' from the tackle that he received," Beveridge told reporters on Friday morning.
"That can settle down or it can last for a bit longer.
"It has settled down and now it's just the bending and the mobility and agility aspect of it.
"He's pretty optimistic he's going to be OK, but we'll just make sure.
"From a probability point of view, he's more on the 'above 50 per cent' side, but I can't tell you whether he's playing or not."
Bontempelli has been in scintillating form this season, again being rated among the leading Brownlow Medal contenders after finishing runner-up for the second time last year.
The five-time All-Australian is third on the AFL Coaches Association's player of the year leaderboard, behind Sydney star Isaac Heeney and Collingwood playmaker Nick Daicos.
Bontempelli has played every game so far in 2024 and was outstanding in wins over Fremantle and Collingwood before last week's mid-season bye, despite battling illness in the lead-up to both fixtures.
"Some of us might just step off or flick the bails, but he's obviously prepared to push himself through," Beveridge said.
"He's had a couple of his really outstanding games off the back of being sick."
The Bulldogs have made three unforced changes, with key forwards Aaron Naughton (knee) and Sam Darcy (suspension) returning against North Melbourne.
Oskar Baker has been recalled after strong VFL form, while Caleb Daniel, Buku Khamis and Anthony Scott have been dropped.
Naughton and Darcy will link up with fellow talls Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Rory Lobb, as well as ruckman Tim English.
"Fitting them all in our front end will be a challenge at times, so you'll probably just need to hang on and have a look at the variations of where they all play," Beveridge said.
"But we think that as a collective ... they can put North under a bit of pressure no matter where they play."
North Melbourne have lost Rising Star candidate George Wardlaw (concussion), replaced by Kallan Dawson.
The Kangaroos (1-13) will be looking for another step forward after showing improved form since their bye, with a win over West Coast followed by narrow defeats to Collingwood and Melbourne.
Australian Associated Press
