Bontempelli came to life with nine touches in the last quarter against the Giants but was well below his scintillating best for most of Saturday's match at Marvel Stadium.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge admitted Bontempelli had been troubled by a "niggle or two".

"I had Marcus and (club head of sports medicine) Chris Bell in my office (on Friday), he's got an adductor thing going," Beveridge said.

"Both Marcus and Chris were sure he'd get through the game and Marcus reassured me that it wouldn't inhibit him.

"He's not 100 per cent, not many players at this point in time (of the season are).

"He pushed through a bit of discomfort, and when it mattered in that last quarter, he really stood up for us."

After finishing second in last year's Brownlow Medal count, Bontempelli started this season as favourite to claim the league's highest individual honour.

However, the 26-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the opening round grand final rematch against Melbourne.

Bontempelli looked to have recaptured his glittering best in outstanding performances against St Kilda and Melbourne last month.

The Bulldogs will need Bontempelli fit and firing if they qualify for finals, having to win their last game against Hawthorn and rely on Richmond and Carlton to make the top-eight for a fourth-straight season.

Australian Associated Press