Matthew Suckling has emerged as the heartbreak story of grand final week but teammate Jordan Roughead will need to get final approval from his eye specialist before he joins the Western Bulldogs quest for their first flag since 1954.
Suckling, a dual premiership player with the Hawks before crossing to the Whitten Oval during last year's trade period, has battled an Achilles injury and was overlooked for Saturday's clash against the Sydney Swans.
He did not train with the main group before thousands of fans at Whitten Oval on Thursday but has been named as first emergency in an unchanged side for the Dogs' first grand final since 1961, indicating he is fit to play.
Suckling was a shock omission from the preliminary-final side against Greater Western Sydney, with the initial reason being an Achilles injury. But Bulldogs' director of football Chris Grant said this week the former Hawk had been left out also because of team balance.
Suckling trained on Tuesday in a bid to prove his fitness but appeared to experience trouble when he reached for his Achilles while chatting with club medical staff.
Midfielder Lin Jong – who had been best on ground in last week's VFL grand final – and back-up ruckman Tom Campbell were also named as emergencies.
Ruckman Jordan Roughead is set to take his spot in the side after completing training. Roughead suffered bleeding in his eye, having been hit by the football against the Giants, but had been confident as early as Sunday that he would play.
He will still need to have the eye checked for a final time on Friday, with his fate resting on the diagnosis.
"I guess so. We'll get the final tick off tomorrow and away we go," Roughead said.
"It's all good, no complaints, we'll see what happens."
Dogs assistant coach Joel Corey said Roughead's eye specialist would have the final say.
"He moved around pretty well out there. My understanding is he is good." he said.
"The welfare of our players is really important to us and blood in the eye is not a minor thing. It could have complications. What (the doctor) says will certainly hold a lot of weight."
Veteran defender Dale Morris, who could spend time playing on Swans superstar Lance Franklin, also did not train with the main group on Thursday but had passed a fitness test on Wednesday.
Injured skipper Bob Murphy took part in the warm-ups and was given a rousing reception in a week where he could be forgiven for having mixed emotions.
Corey dismissed suggestions the Dogs' young playing group would struggle to handle the grand-final intensity, with the Swans determined to continue their match-shaping first terms.
"This group is unique ... but they're as focused as any group that I've been involved with," he said.
The Swans have made two changes, recalling injured pair Jarrad McVeigh (quad) and Callum Mills (hamstring). Mills, the Rising Star winner, was hurt in the qualifying final against the Giants while skipper McVeigh was injured against the Crows in the semi-final a week later. Mills and McVeigh will strengthen the Swans' defence.
"Nervous but excited," Mills said.
Injured defender Aliir Aliir, having hurt his knee on the cusp of quarter-time against the Cats last weekend, could not be considered while Harry Marsh was dropped.
Journeyman defender Jeremy Laidler, who was an emergency in 2014, and had faced a nervous wait this week, will play in his first grand final.
Marsh could consider himself unlucky, for he had played the past four matches. He was named as an emergency alongside ruckman Tony Nankervis and dasher Harry Cunningham in the 25-man squad.
The Swans will have a light run at the MCG before Friday's traditional grand final parade.
