WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Dale Morris says he is over his hamstring problems and ready for Sunday's high-stakes clash against Fremantle at Domain Stadium.
Morris, 33, has missed three of the past four games with a back-related hamstring concern. He is a massive inclusion to a young Bulldogs backline which will miss stand-in skipper Easton Wood because of an ankle injury.
In his 12th season at Whitten Oval, the ever-reliable stopper has been in All Australian form and is statistically the AFL's best one-on-one player.
Morris has averaged 91 per cent game-time in 18 matches this season.
If the Dogs defeat the lowly Dockers as expected, the club is likely to secure a home elimination final.
"Every game over the past month has been really, really important and this one is no different," Morris told AFL.com.au.
"I've pulled up really well and got through training, so I'm feeling great and ready to go.
"It was a back-related hammy that I had going on and with the short break into the Collingwood game (round 21) and with finals around the corner it was smart to just give it a rest.
"I've played a lot of game-time this year."
With several of his teammates racing the clock to be fit for the finals, next week's bye hasn't come at an opportune time for Morris as he is looking to build some continuity ahead of his sixth September campaign.
Along with Wood, gun playmakers Tom Liberatore (ankle) and Jack Macrae (hamstring) are considered some chance to be available for a cut-throat final in two weeks.
"It's probably not ideal the bye (for me) because it would be nice to roll straight into finals, but if you look at other guys in the team it works out really well for them," Morris said.
"It's a different situation and all teams are in the same boat, so we'll just roll with it."
Morris is looking forward to one last battle with Matthew Pavlich in the Docker great's 353rd and final match.
In the past decade they have staged some memorable contests and Morris believes the man he respects immensely has one more match-winning performance in him.
"He's one of those players that never gives up, he's one of the greats and what he's done for footy is a huge achievement," Morris said.
"It's been a privilege to play on such a champion."