Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is no guarantee to return against Melbourne as the superstar midfielder deals with an Achilles issue.
The Bulldogs, who are locked into a wildcard round berth, rested Bontempelli for Sunday's clash with Carlton, which they ultimately drew 12.10 (82) to 12.10 (82).
Coach Luke Beveridge confirmed after the match Bontempelli, one of the best players in the AFL, had been managing his Achilles recently.
"He may be right for next week," Beveridge said.
"He's just had a bit of a grumbly Achilles over recent time so it seemed like the time was right, this one, just to give him a week off.
"If it's still hanging around and we feel like another week will really help him, prepare him for the wildcard game, then we'll probably rest him again, give him another week to freshen up a bit.
"We'll see how we go."
Melbourne (60 points) are still in contention for a top-four berth ahead of next Saturday's clash at the MCG.
The Bulldogs (50) can at best leapfrog Collingwood (52) into eighth, and at worst slip to 10th if they lose and Carlton (46) beat leaders Fremantle.
Regardless, the temptation will clearly be there to have Bontempelli ready for the following week.
Beveridge had said at his midweek press conference he didn't plan to rest any players.
Then Bontempelli wasn't confident with the Achilles at Thursday's training and was ultimately left out.
"He trained ... he probably only did about 50-60 per cent of the session and he just didn't feel right," Beveridge said.
"I think my words were, 'we haven't planned for anyone to miss', but it didn't mean it wasn't a possibility. So I didn't fib.
"We knew that it might have been a chance when that press conference happened if he didn't get through training with flying colours.
"So yeah, he'll definitely play before the year's out. Hopefully he gets a run of games. That means we're all in business."
