Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he has never really been a planned manager who has a "strategic plan to rest your more experienced players".
The increased length of the home and away season, coupled with the ongoing handling of players and their physical welfare, has seen some clubs delve into mid-season management.
Collingwood has openly revealed managing some of their older players, with Scott Pendlebury, Brody Mihocek and Brayden Maynard missing last week's trip west to Perth.
It is quickly becoming the norm, especially with quick turnarounds in between games.
The Bulldogs will take on Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, before preparing for a reunion with Bailey Smith at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday.
The five-day break could force Beveridge's hand.
"I haven't been a manager or a coach that has a strategic sort of plan to rest your more experienced players," Beveridge said on Friday.
"Sometimes they get one at a turn anyway, and it's not disguised, and sort of happens, they might be a bit sore.
"We're just not in that situation. Tom's been unbelievably durable, but he seems to be coping with the load, and he's having an outstanding year.
"The test will be the one after this, the five-day (break) into Thursday night.
"But never compromise the health (of players), or risk the performance in playing someone who is just not quite right, and we'll always make the call that the player should have a spell."
Veteran midfielder Tom Liberatore has been flagged as a potential option given his combative style of play and age (33), but his form so far in 2025 has denied any such suggestion.
Rory Lobb's (32) importance to the Dogs' defence will mean he'll continue to face up each week.
The clash in Geelong also poses as a must-play contest for any Bulldogs player, who will get the chance to reunite with Smith.
The former Pick 6 traded verbal jabs with captain Marcus Bontempelli earlier this month, suggesting that playing in front of 80,000 fans is more enjoyable than a clash in Ballarat.
Beveridge also ruled out any surprise return for experienced duo Liam Jones and Adam Treloar before the club's bye in Round 12.
The pair are both recovering from calf issues off the back of soft-tissue problems earlier in the year, but will be given extra time to recover.
They'll miss clashes against the Bombers and Cats before the week off.
