AFTER a false start in his return from a hamstring strain, key Bulldog Robert Murphy is fit and ready to take on Port Adelaide in Darwin on Saturday night.

Murphy was a late withdrawal from the Dogs' side that went on to smash Richmond last Friday night and football manager James Fantasia said it had been a close call to leave him out.

"To be honest we actually thought he was going to play last week and I think he did too," Fantasia said.

"But Friday morning he was still feeling that little bit of bruising there, so we decided it was silly to risk him. A week on he's feeling a lot better, but I daresay if we had of played on a Saturday or Sunday last week he probably would have played. That's how close he was.

"With the break coming we considered giving him an extra week, but the decision was made that he'd get a lot more value out of playing this week than leaving him out."

In another boost to the forward line, Scott Welsh returns after serving a one-week suspension.

"You never like to see your players miss games for that reason, but I don't think the break has done him any harm in terms of his back," Fantasia said of the veteran who struggled through the pre-season with the injury.

"It probably freshened him up a bit, but in saying that we really need him to be playing footy at the moment so he can get back to a more consistent level of fitness."

Brennan Stack and Stephen Tiller are the unlucky players to make way in one of the strongest line-ups the Dogs have named this season.

"We're picking from nearly a full squad, which we haven't been able to do for some time," Fantasia said.

"That obviously puts pressure on the match committee, but it's a good problem to have because players are fighting for spots."

Tom Williams is the only player on a three-man injury list that would command a first-team spot with Fantasia confident he is close to shaking a persistent foot injury.

"Tommy just hasn't quite been able to get up. He has that bruising in his foot which is still causing him a little bit of pain, so he's been a bit unlucky there," he said.

"But he is a chance to come back and play for Williamstown next week when we have the bye. He's not far away."