Western Bulldogs sweating over captain’s fitness ahead of North Melbourne clash following training injury

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has the club in a frenzy after sustaining an injury during training on Wednesday which called for an early close to the day for him. He might be unable to feature in Saturday’s game against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.

Bontempelli suffered back spasms after an awkward landing from a tackle during the Bulldogs’ training session on Wednesday. This injury puts the 28-year-old who has barely missed a game in all of his career, in doubt for the Round 16 clash with the Kangaroos. Even in the Round 15 game, he had been batting some illness, but pulled through and finished best afield with 30 possessions and three goals.

The five-time All-Australian has been in scintillating form all season. He is among the leading Brownlow Medal contenders this year after finishing runner-up for the second time in 2023.

Among the premier midfielders of the competition, Bontempelli has played in all of the Dogs’ games this season, including the wins over both Fremantle and Collingwood before the mid-season bye.

The Bulldogs have won four of their past six matches, balancing their season record at 7-7 as they sit at position 11 on the AFL ladder in pursuit of a shot at the Finals.

Bontempelli will undergo more assessments in the coming days to determine if he would be a part of Saturday’s lineup against the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium.

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Western Bulldogs team updates ahead of Round 16

AFL Rd 14 - Western Bulldogs v Fremantle

The team lost midfielder Marcus Bontempelli to a back injury during training on Wednesday, but key forwards Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton’s return might make up for his possible absence at Saturday's game against the North Melbourne. The former has returned from suspension, and the latter has a chance to come back from a knee injury.

Nick Coffield (shoulder) and James Harmes (hamstring) would both undergo fitness tests later in the week.

The Western Bulldogs’ side for the last round included:

B: L.Bramble, L.Jones, B.Khamis

HB: J.O’Donnell, T.Duryea, B.Dale

C: A.Treloar, E.Richards, B.Williams

HF: R.Lobb, C.Weightman, J.Macrae

F: J.Ugle-Hagan, L.Vandermeer, R.West

Followers: M.Bontempelli - C, T.English, T.Liberatore

Interchanges: J.Freijah, C.Daniel, R.Sanders, H.Gallagher, A.Scott

Emergencies: J.Busslinger, O.Baker, L.McNeil

The Western Bulldogs are currently in 11th place on the AFL ladder with a 7-7 win-loss record. In their pursuit for a finals berth, concerns have been raised over the fitness of captain Bontempelli.

James Harmes (hamstring) should also be fit for return, although is most likely to play in the reserves first. Rory Lobb’s place in the side may not be so sure with Darcy and Naughton’s return.

Herald Sun’s journalist Sam Landsberger reported on Wednesday that Nick Coffield (shoulder) will return from injury via the VFL. Jason Johannisen (hamstring) is still a few weeks away from being in the selection frame.

For their Round 16 match, the Western Bulldogs go against the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, June 29.