Western Bulldogs premiership forward Liam Picken could return to the Bulldogs’ senior ranks after the club’s bye in round 12.
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Picken, who is originally from Hamilton, has missed the opening nine rounds of the 2018 season with concussion, after he was knocked out in the Bulldogs’ March 3 pre-season win over Hawthorn and was still feeling the effects of the knock weeks after the injury.
But premiership coach Luke Beveridge was optimistic the hard-nut forward could be eligible to play after the bye, after he returned to full training this week. He admitted in March that there was a slim chance the head knock could end Picken's career.
“We believe there's a chance he might play not too long after the bye, so we will wait until we get there,” Beveridge said in a press conference.
"He's still getting some minor headaches and there's still some remnants from the concussion but good signs he's able to sit in meetings and be among his teammates for the whole program. It's good to have him back.”
Beverage said everyone at the club was “up and about” on Picken and that the 31-year-old had been a key player the Bulldogs have missed in their first nine games, with the Dogs’ win-loss record sitting at 4-5.
“It’s really positive when you consider how good he has been on field for us and we have missed that,” he said.
“The allure of him coming back into the 22 is fantastic and whether he can find his best again, that’s his next challenge.”