In 2013 the Western Bulldogs forward line functioned better with Jarrad Grant in attack and the 24-year-old is getting closer to senior selection for the first time this season.

Two goals and increased game time in his most recent VFL outing has the forward eager for his senior return, after injuring his foot in the pre-season.

“I broke my foot in January, so I’ve actually played the last two weeks, coming back through the VFL so I’ve strung two weeks together,” Grant said.

“Unfortunately we [had a bye last week], so [there was] no footy.”

Playing an influential role in the VFL’s past two wins, Grant has used his time at Footscray to reacquaint himself with his role and prepare himself for the step up.

While the state representative game meant Footscray had a bye last weekend, the 24-year-old continued to press his claim out on the training track at the kennel.

“We have won the last two weeks… it’s more about developing down there and getting boys into positions that they can play so that when they are ready to come into the AFL team they are ready to go,” he said.

Keeping close tabs on the senior side while making his recovery, Grant is confident the Bulldogs have the game plan and personnel to challenge for more wins in the back half of the season.

“We’ve got to stay in games for longer – we are just having lapses,” he said.

“If we can stick to our structures and our game plan for long periods of the game, we’ve been in a lot of games this year and hopefully we can get more wins on the board.”

Fellow forward Liam Jones will also come into contention for senior selection against the Lions after serving his two week suspension, adding further versatility to the Bulldogs forward line.