AFL: Major update on Bulldogs’ injured trio ahead of grand final

The Western Bulldogs have provided a huge update on the status of their injured trio as they look to win their second flag in five years.

Western Bulldogs star Alex Keath is fighting to be fit for the 2021 grand final. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains has provided a major update on the availability of a key trio of stars as they look to prove their fitness ahead of the 2021 AFL grand final.

Alex Keath and Cody Weightman missed out on the Bulldogs’ preliminary final thrashing of Port Adelaide due to a hamstring injury and concussion respectively, while young gun Laitham Vandermeer was subbed from the game as a result of a hamstring complaint.

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But with 10 days until the grand final, the Bulldogs are hoping there’s enough time for the players to prove their fitness as they look to repeat their 2016 premiership heroics.

Bains noted one member of the injured trio was certain to return, but the other two would use all the time they had to be fit and firing for the decider.

“I don’t think I can say with certainty, he’s (Keath) still got to progress through and train at full speed,” Bains told SEN.

“The fact that we’ve got that extra week built in to do it, we’re very optimistic that he’ll be right.

“Cody Weightman will certainly play.

“Obviously, from a concussion, he will be reintegrated into full contact training this week.

Laitham Vandermeer is hoping to prove his fitness in time for the AFL grand final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Laitham Vandermeer will need to get through full training next week, but also optimistic on him.”

The biggest question mark in terms of availability for the grand final no doubt hangs over the head of Vandermeer, but the 22-year-old’s injury is not severe injury according to Bains.

“He was cleared of any structural hamstring damage,” Bains said.

“He’s got a history of hamstring injuries and got a corky and felt a bit of tightness so didn’t take any risks and came off.

“You got a lot of people like myself with no medical training or interest asking a million questions about scans and parts of the body, but pleasingly the scan came out clear.”

Vandermeer is in just his second season with the Bulldogs after being selected by the club with the 37th pick in the 2018 draft.

He was awarded the Christ Grant Best First Year player award in 2020, and should he be fully fit to take the field in the grand final, he’ll look to add the biggest prize of all to his trophy cabinet.