The Western Bulldogs are in "no rush" to inject top draft selection and father-son prospect Sam Darcy into the AFL, with the 18-year-old on the mend from a foot injury sustained last year.
Darcy was placed on light duties ahead of last November's National Draft, which saw the Bulldogs rise up the draft order to secure their priority selection with the second overall pick.
Just days out from the count Darcy revealed he had been battling with a stress fracture in his foot, with the key-position Pup not a feature in Vic Metro's final hit out in front of talent scouts
The teenage sensation has remained sidelined heading into the 2022 AFL season, with Jack Macrae revealing that Darcy is still nursing the injury, having not featured in their match simulations.
“There is no rush on it, and he has the right appetite for what he has brought," Macrae said on Monday.
"Injuries are a part of footy ... he has missed a lot of footy through COVID as well.
"Everyone forgets, probably the under-18 program has been compromised out of all of them."
The Bulldogs' pre-season planning has been buoyed by a predominantly healthy list, with Cody Weightman (foot) and Josh Bruce (knee) among those attending the casualty ward ahead of the season.
Bruce isn't expected to return to full fitness until later into the year following an ACL injury sustained last season, while Weightman and onballer Adam Treloar (management) are beginning to near their returns to full training.
“I think they are pretty close to being back into full training in the next week or two,” Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli said.
Luke Beveridge's side are set to open their season in a grand final rematch against Melbourne on Wednesday, March 16.
The Bulldogs will give their first look into the year ahead when they face the Bombers and Lions as part of their pre-season schedule.
