For the Western Bulldogs, this season will no doubt be one to forget, with a series of serious and bizarre injuries severely hindering their pre-season expectations.

Currently sitting 14th on the ladder with just six wins to their name, the Dogs’ chances for a finals berth are mathematically over, but if last week’s win is anything to go by, they won’t go down quietly.

Stars’ absence

There is no doubt the top-end talent on the Bulldogs’ list is capable of matching it with the competition's best, given it was less than two years ago when they won the premiership.

Unfortunately injuries to the likes of Marcus Bontempelli (appendix) and Jackson Macrae (hamstring) have prevented them from finding consistency this season, resulting in a similar effect on the wider team.

Taken pick four in the 2013 National Draft, Bontempelli has all the makings of becoming one of the game’s most influential players.

The 22-year-old was tracking nicely up until Round 17 and was one of, if not the most important player in the side, but was forced to have his appendix removed which sidelined him for two weeks.

Prior to the surgery, Bontempelli was averaging 22.3 disposals and 1.1 goal per game as he spread his time across the midfield and forward-line.

In those two weeks he was sidelined, the Bulldogs lost both games by in excess of 49 points.

The same applies to Macrae, who was well and truly in the Brownlow Medal contention before suffering a serious hamstring injury.

The midfielder was averaging over 31 disposals per game before being injured, and as a result, the Dogs lost two of their three matches while he was sidelined.

Losing both these stars in a crucial part of the season put them in an unenviable position, but now both are fit and back to their best, which is why you shouldn’t discount the threat the Dogs pose.

Young forwards thrive

All season the Bulldogs have struggled to kick a solid score, averaging just 69.5 points per game.

The Dogs rank third last amongst the competition in points for, however on the weekend they hit triple figures for just the fifth time this year thanks to a new look attack.

Veteran Tory Dickson was the oldest forward at 30, but he was accompanied by Marcus Bontempelli (22), Brad Lynch (21) Josh Schache (20), Fergus Greene (20) and Pat Lipinski (20).

The five goal-kickers under the age of 23 combined for nine of their side’s 15 majors after the Dogs were kept goalless in the first quarter.

With marquee forward Tom Boyd sidelined with a back injury and Jackson Trengrove spending the majority of his time in the ruck, the Dogs have been forced to find alternate avenues to goal, and that’s exactly what they did against St Kilda.

Given the age demographic of the forward-line, it’s yet to be seen how sustainable these performances are, but it will no doubt be a shining light on what has been a dull season for the club.

Added motivation

Some say milestone games provide no added motivation for teams, but when Round 21’s 250-gamer is as important and influential on a club as Dale Morris, it will certainly be a factor.

Selected in the Rookie Draft by the Bulldogs in 2004, the 35-year-old has become a revered figure at the Whitten Oval, highlighted by the revelation he played the successful 2016 finals campaign with a broken back.  

If Morris wasn’t already considered one of the most inspirational players at the club, he certainly is now, given he played this season just nine days after knee surgery.

Initially injuring his ACL in February, Morris was ready for action, but suffered a setback when he damaged the meniscus in the same knee.

The defender defied all odds by playing against North in Round 14, and continues to impress this season as he’s missed just one game since returning.

Undoubtedly one of the most popular players on the list, his 21 teammates will be sure to fight hard for a win this weekend.