Western Bulldogs Veteran Robert Murphy is eyeing a round one return to football, after Club medical staff have cleared him to begin contact training next week.

The defender has been restricted in his pre-season preparations in recent weeks after enduring an elbow injury during tackling drills in February.

“He returns to full contact training next week and we are confident he will be available for round one,” McKenzie said.

Captain Ryan Griffen is also still on track to be available for the season opener, however a no risk approach will be taken.

“We are taking a cautious approach with Ryan, he’s progressing well but we will see how he comes [up] heading into round one,” he said.

Diligently working through his rehabilitation program, Jarrad Grant is making steady gains as he looks to return from a foot injury early in the season.

“He is on schedule, he’s doing his rehab training, he’s coming along nicely and he will have a review with the surgeon soon,” he said.

Jake Stringer, Tom Williams and Luke Dahlhaus pulled up sore after last week’s NAB Challenge clash against Fremantle and are being monitored accordingly.