Western Bulldogs midfielder/forward Toby McLean has fallen out of favour under coach Luke Beveridge.
McLean was dropped for the Bulldogs’ Round 6 match against Carlton after being overlooked for the opening two games of the season.
The 24-year-old’s omissions throughout last year and early in 2020 have perplexed some Dogs fans after he was part of the club’s 2016 premiership.
Former Bulldogs coach Terry Wallace believes it’s a skill issue that’s behind McLean’s absence from the senior side.
“It’s ball use in my opinion. It’s all ball use with him,” Wallace told SEN’s The Match Committee.
“We saw him do a couple of run-with roles over a couple of weeks and do them adequately but it’s all about whether he uses the ball well enough to be in their best side.
“I think he contests and competes. I don’t think there’s anyone that’s going to argue the point about his willingness to put his body on the line for the side.
“It’s what comes after that.”
McLean, who is contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2022, was named an emergency for Thursday night's match against Gold Coast.