Tom Williams is over his foot injury, handing the Dogs a clean bill of health. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HWT Image Library
THE Western Bulldogs are on track to enter the NAB Cup with a full list to choose from with their sole injured player - Tom Williams - set to exit the rehabilitation group this week.
Assistant coach Shannon Grant said the key defender was over his foot troubles and, on the back of Daniel Giansiracusa's return from knee surgery this month, left the Dogs with a clean bill of health.
It shapes as a massive boost for second-year coach Brendan McCartney, who entered last year's NAB Cup with about six players - including Brian Lake, Adam Cooney, Dale Morris and Shaun Higgins - unavailable.
"By the middle of (this) week we'll have everyone on our list fully training, so we're in a pretty healthy state at the moment,'' Grant said.
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"It's been good for us, we've managed the loads across the group quite well, so let's hope it stays that way.''
Dogs fans will get advanced screenings of prized draftees Jake Stringer, Jackson Macrae, Nathan Hrovat and Lachie Hunter in the NAB Cup as the Whitten Oval rebuild hits overdrive.
Welcome to the major league, lads: Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae after being selected at No.5 and No.6 by the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Macrae, who has drawn comparisons to Scott Pendlebury for his crafty sidestep and vision, has stacked on 5kgs in muscle this summer, while No. 5 pick Stringer is completing extra bio-mechanical track sessions to fix his running gait after horrifically breaking his leg in 2011.
Grant said the Bulldogs would use the NAB Cup to blood their youngsters as well as get crucial minutes into their senior group.
"We haven't sat down and worked out exactly who will be playing and when but at this stage we're keen, as we were last year, to have a look at the younger kids and see how they're developing,'' he said.
"Our list has changed quite dramatically over the last couple of years, so to be able to get a look at our kids against quality opposition in the NAB Cup will be something to look at.''
A fully-fit Cooney, who avoided post-season surgery for the first time in four years, is reaping the rewards of specialist treatment on his right knee in Germany last year.
"He's training well. I think having a good break over the off-season and getting across to (Germany) for the treatment helped,'' Grant said.
Bulldogs star Adam Cooney back on the track after injury. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun
"He's certainly revitalised and vibrant and looks like he's enjoying his footy at the moment and you can tell by the way he's training that that's the case."
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