Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has fully recovered from the adductor injury that hampered him in recent weeks, declaring himself fit for the AFL elimination final against Fremantle.
Bontempelli had been troubled by what Luke Beveridge called "a niggle or two" and met with the coach and medical boss Chris Bell earlier this month to plot a course towards September.
The 26-year-old star was cleared to play the last two rounds of the home-and-away season and gave important contributions in wins over GWS and Hawthorn as the Bulldogs snuck into the top eight.
The pre-finals bye has since worked in Bontempelli's favour, with the break priming him for a big role in next weekend's clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
"It wasn't as bad as what was put out ... it was more of an overload result from a corkie the previous week," Bontempelli told reporters on Friday when asked about the adductor injury.
"He (Beveridge) was correct in the fact that we had a bit of a sit down and a chat about it.
"I know where my body's at so it was a good discussion around it but I'm feeling pretty good and I'm definitely over the adductor stuff now, which is good.
"I've found, like every year, you're dealing with different things and probably everyone is across the league at this point.
"The pre-finals bye does present that opportunity to freshen your mind and your body up and get set to go for another finals series."
While Bontempelli will play against Fremantle, teammate Jason Johannisen faces a race against time to be passed fit.
The 2016 Norm Smith medallist has played seven games since overcoming a calf injury that ruled him out of the first half of the season but has missed the last three rounds with an ankle complaint.
"He's tracking well and I think he has one or two speed-based parameters to tick off, but the good thing is we've got the time for that," Bontempelli said.
"I think he'll definitely be in the window to hopefully play.
"When you consider his speed and efficiency and effectiveness with the ball, it gives our front half a bit more potency with the mix that's up there.
"He's an experienced player, so it just adds that layer of maturity and he's a pretty dynamic player."
The Bulldogs trained at Port Melbourne's ETU Stadium on Friday and will use temporary bases throughout their finals campaign while the Whitten Oval playing surface is being revamped as part of a major redevelopment.
