Dogs midfielder back to take on Swans

Western Bulldogs veteran Tom Liberatore is set to return from a quadricep niggle to take on Sydney in Thursday's practice hitout at Whitten Oval.

Liberatore has been managed in recent weeks, but has done enough on the track to join a weakened Dogs line-up against the Swans.

Adam Treloar looks much less likely to play after suffering a low-end hamstring issue on the club's recent Maroochydore training camp.

Given Treloar's soft-tissue history, and frustrating run last year, the Dogs will be cautious with his return. 

The Dogs will have six State of Origin players - Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton, Tim English and Rory Lobb - missing for the full-scale rehearsal.

Coach Luke Beveridge's use of Liberatore will be an interesting watch.

With Beveridge keen to unleash Joel Freijah into the midfield, Liberatore has been spending some time at half-back across the summer. The absence of Bontempelli and Richards means Liberatore is likely to get more centre bounce time against the Swans, but the Dogs appear to be in experimental mode with the midfield star.

Jordan Croft and Will Lewis, who is playing for a list spot after the retirement of James Harmes, look set to spearhead the Dogs' attack on Thursday in the absence of Darcy and Naughton.

Sam Davidson made his name as a winger last year, but trained in a third-tall role on the track on Monday, pointing to his likely starting position.

The Swans clash looms as an opportunity for Ryley Sanders to push his case for an Opening Round position. He was impressive in the midfield mix on Monday.

Small forward Josh Dolan (foot) is unlikely to be fit in time for the opening round, but impressive 2025 draftee Josh Carmichael is a chance to play in the final practice match against Hawthorn.

Carmichael was travelling so well through pre-season that he was close to being pencilled in for an Opening Round debut.