AFL: Tim English, Ed Richards set to return from concussion for Western Bulldogs’ crunch clash with Sydney Swans

The Bulldogs are preparing to welcome back a key pair as a star midfielder who was under an injury cloud also expects to play.

Adam Treloar isn’t expected to miss any games despite reporting some hamstring tightness in last week’s game. Picture: Getty Images

Tim English and Ed Richards will return for Western Bulldogs’ Friday night clash with Sydney as coach Luke Beveridge declares there are no “alarm bells” over his team’s predicament.

Both players have recovered from their respective concussions, with English sitting out the past two games because of his history of brain injuries.

Beveridge also confirmed star midfielder Adam Treloar (hamstring tightness) would be fit to play, while spearhead Josh Bruce (hamstring) is expected to resume in the VFL on Sunday.

The Bulldogs will find themselves two games outside the top eight if they fail to beat the eighth-placed Swans for a second time this season, after losing four of their first six matches.

They had won five of their previous six matches before going down by 41 points to Brisbane at the Gabba last week, with that formline instilling belief in Beveridge that his men can return to September.

Giants ruckman Braydon Preuss was suspended for one match for this tackle on Bulldogs counterpart Tim English Picture: Phil Hillyard

“There’s a third of the season, or just under, to go,” Beveridge said.

“People have got to remember that, and our formline has been relatively strong in recent times – we’ve just been beaten by a good side.

“We fell apart a little bit in that third quarter, no doubt, which is disappointing, but the alarm bells aren’t ringing.

“There’s one or two (games), like every team, that got away, but I’m always of the mindset, like I was six or seven weeks ago when we started to string them together, there’s no reason why you just can’t win every week.

“It’s a tough competition, and obviously off the back of (making the grand final) last year, the expectation is you’re there again, and the fact of the matter is we’re not, but the belief is still high.”

Ed Richards has recovered from his concussion. Picture: Getty Images

Beveridge strongly hinted there was some anger at the Braydon Preuss tackle that almost certainly was to blame for English’s delayed concussion symptoms.

Preuss copped a one-match ban for his action, with English sustaining a third concussion in as many seasons.

“I talked to him about whether, this time around, his emotions were different or how does he feel about it. I think, generally, he’s pretty angry that it happened, initially,” Beveridge said.

“He was fine within himself. But that’s the disappointing thing – a vulnerable player (in that incident) and it can be quite costly, so he was more frustrated with that aspect of it.

“He hasn’t been out for anywhere near as long as he was last time and he’s been able to train earlier, so I don’t imagine he’ll have too many issues in getting going again.”

Beveridge also got on the front foot to defend the club against criticism of its defensive efforts.

Josh Bruce is nearing his AFL return after suffering an ACL rupture in round 21 last season. Picture: Getty Images

He conceded the Lions got away from them later in the game but that another issue was the Dogs’ inability to capitalise on the scoreboard from the “world record” 11 forward-50 turnovers they generated in the first term.

In other selection news, Beveridge said Sam Darcy was still some way from an AFL debut despite being an emergency last week, while Bruce could be back in the senior side in the next fortnight.

“(Bruce) obviously had the hiccup with a slight hamstring injury, so he’ll train today and should play Sunday against Sandringham, and then we’ll just play it by ear, whether he’s available a week after,” he said.

“He reports that he feels more comfortable over his knee through some more training, even though he’s been out. He’s been able to train a little bit.

“So his comfort levels with the competition that he’s playing in – that’s the feedback we’re after. He’s probably still another two or three weeks away from being available to play in the AFL, I’d say.”