Western Bulldogs make call on Bailey Smith amid Sam Docherty's return for AFL finals

Bailey Smith is back at training but Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he won't be rushing the midfielder into the team. A day after Carlton utility Sam Docherty was confirmed to make his comeback from knee surgery after just six months out, murmurs began that Smith may also be on track to make an expedited return from an ACL injury for the AFL finals.

But Beveridge slapped down those suggestions, stating the club will stick to the standard 11-month recovery period for ACL injuries. The out-of-contract midfielder, who tore his ACL in December last year, joined teammates on the track at Whitten Oval on Wednesday but won't be back until next season when he is expected to be playing for a new club.

"It's an 11-month turnaround in our medical department, that's tried and true, we make sure the player is ready, we don't want recurrence," Beveridge said on Wednesday. "Bailey wasn't operated on by (club surgeon David Young), but we're sticking to our 11-month protocols because we want to make sure that 'Baz' is OK to have a bright future in the game.

"Maybe with Sam Docherty ... you're prepared to take a bit more of a risk at the end of your career. If you ask the Blues, that's probably what they're doing, and I think everyone understands that."

Smith completed training with the main group during an open training session at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday, without any strapping on his legs, but still isn't expected to play again in 2024, in a move potentially to preserve his trade value. Geelong appears favourites for the out-of-contract star but they would have to table a long and lucrative contract.

Smith, 24, would command a first-round draft pick from Geelong (currently pick No. 13) which the Bulldogs could then on-trade to West Coast if they manage to strike a deal for Eagles’ defender Tom Barrass.

Adam Treloar expected to make injury return against Carlton

But one midfielder who will make his return at the MCG against the Hawks is Adam Treloar. The newly minted All-Australian has been on a modified program after picking up a calf niggle during the Bulldogs' round-24 win over GWS.

Treloar completed training on Wednesday, albeit with his calf heavily strapped. But he is expected to line up this weekend. "Adam's a real pro, his cross-training is always in order, and I wouldn't be concerned after a long year about anything fitness-wise," Beveridge said.

"He had his calf strapped during the (Giants) game in Ballarat, but towards the end of last week he was feeling pretty good, and his powers of recuperation are pretty strong. We anticipate he's going to play."

Beveridge is expected to go with a relatively unchanged side to the one who comprehensively toppled GWS, as the Bulldogs charged into finals with the best defence across the home-and-away season, combined with the second-best attack. The Bulldogs have won eight of their past 10 matches, with their only defeats in that period coming at Adelaide Oval against the two South Australian clubs.

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"It's important that your players get a pat on the back for their execution," Beveridge said. "You have philosophies and principles around your game style, how you feel like you can execute it, but ultimately it's up to the players to get it done. By and large, we've been pretty good for most of the year."

with AAP