The Western Bulldogs remain hopeful injury-plagued veteran Adam Treloar can return if the club qualifies for finals.
Coming off a career-best season in 2024 when he was named All-Australian for the first time, the star midfielder has been struck down by persistent calf issues this year.
The 32-year-old has managed a career-low of just four games this year, the last against Richmond in round 15.
The Bulldogs sit ninth with three home-and-away games left, but should make finals if they go 3-0 in this period.
Treloar trained strongly on Thursday but the Bulldogs will be extra careful with him considering the setbacks he has endured.
"He is going through his rehab ... we're building again," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said of Treloar.
"Hopefully see him play a game within the next three weeks."
Helping Treloar's cause is the Footscray VFL team is contending for the premiership, sitting second on the ladder, and should go deep into finals.
The former Collingwood and GWS star will almost certainly need to find touch and confidence in the VFL before being risked in a cut-throat final.
As he often does, Beveridge told a story about his VAFA days coaching St Bede's Mentone, referencing how an injury-prone veteran managed to play a crucial role in finals.
"I said to him (Michael Hazell) just persevere, hang in there, and it might come good," Beveridge said.
"I use 'Haze' as an example to Adam to say just hang in there.
"You never know what might be at the end of it, just persevere through your rehab."
After starting the season hit hard by key injuries only Treloar and dynamic forward Cody Weightman are sidelined from the Bulldogs' best 23.
Versatile midfielder James Harmes struggled with illness for three weeks, returned for two VFL appearances, but is back away from the club again.
Harmes won't play at any level this weekend as the Bulldogs prepare to play at the MCG on Sunday against Melbourne, who this week sacked coach Simon Goodwin.
"In these circumstances, let me publicly congratulate Simon on what he's achieved at the Demons," Beveridge said.
"Obviously they got us in '21 (grand final) and after a long period of time to break their (premiership) drought.
"I was able to spend some time with Simon in the off-season and get to know him a little bit so we're all feeling for him."
