Dogs skipper unlikely to make trip west

Western Bulldogs' loss could be West Coast's gain.

Dogs skipper Ryan Griffen is unlikely to make the trip west for Sunday's season opener after failing to train with the club today.

Griffen hadn't been able to play in any of the club's pre-season matches and the likelihood of spending four hours on the plane to make the clash was likely to dissuade the selectors from adding him to the travelling party.

However, veteran Robert Murphy, whose pre-season was interrupted by an elbow injury, was expected to line up against the Eagles.