All-Australian ruckman Tim English to miss Western Bulldogs’ must-win final round clash with GWS

The season will go down to the wire for the Western Bulldogs who will have to beat GWS on Sunday without one of their best players.

Rory Lobb will carry the ruck load for the Western Bulldogs against GWS. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs will rely on Rory Lobb to shoulder the ruck load again in their high-stakes clash against GWS after Tim English was all but ruled out for a second consecutive week.

English is slowly recovering from an ankle injury and coach Luke Beveridge said he would not play as the Dogs need a win to avoid their finals hopes hinging on other results from Sunday’s games.

Beveridge said the Bulldogs were fortunate to have Lobb available to continue in the No.1 ruck role after he suffered a heavy cork against the Kangaroos but declared himself fit to play.

English was absent from the track at Whitten Oval on Wednesday as he managed his moderate grade ankle ligament injury, but Lobb trained albeit on lighter duties.

“(English) is close … hopefully he gets a chance and we get a look (at finals) by winning this weekend, but we don’t anticipate he’s going to be available this week,” Beveridge said.

“(Lobb) will have a bit of a lighter week, Lobby has almost got that attitude that if you cut a leg off, he’ll grow it back.

Rory Lobb battles Tristan Xerri. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“I was trying to work out what sort of reptile – I’ll get in a bit of trouble here – whether it’s a salamander or a chameleon or just your garden variety lizard that can do that, but Lobby, that’s why I love his attitude.

“He’s a very durable player, and he’s just got the attitude to match. I love that straight away, he’ll declare that he’s going to be OK.”

Beveridge said Lobb’s “default position” remained as a key defender after a remarkable block of form behind the ball, but he was an important ruckman in English’s absence, as it allowed the in-form Sam Darcy to remain forward and raw teenager Lachie Smith to continue developing in the VFL.

The coach said he was likely to move Lachie McNeil deeper forward to replace Rhylee West (jaw) as Jack Macrae firmed for his first game in the starting 22 since round 18.

The 30-year-old midfielder had 17 disposals and 2.1 in only 47 minutes of game time against the Kangaroos after he was subbed on for West.

“Lachie McNeil probably played more wing time than he has in the past in the game just gone – he’s an option to play those forward minutes that Westy usually plays,” Beveridge said.

“Westy has had a hit of midfield time prior to last week, so with Caleb (Daniel) and Jack (Macrae) coming onto the ground near the end of the game, there are some options there for that midfield that weren’t there previously.

“The boys had a pretty good win for Footscray against Sydney last week, so we’ve got some candidates to come in and play some forward time in Rhylee’s absence.”

Originally published as All-Australian ruckman Tim English to miss Western Bulldogs’ must-win final round clash with GWS