BROWNLOW medallist and Western Bulldogs great Scott Wynd believes Will Minson still has plenty to offer at AFL level, despite the ruckman being out of favour for much of 2015. 

Minson, 30, will play in the VFL again this weekend after being dropped twice and playing just nine senior games so far this season.

Luke Beveridge has preferred Tom Campbell in recent weeks, and Ayce Cordy for a period earlier in the season, while Jordan Roughead has spent plenty of time in the ruck, too.

Wynd, the 1990 Brownlow winner and a champion ruckman over 231 games says he's 'surprised' Minson hasn't played a bigger role in the Bulldogs' resurgence this season. 

"I think Will has a future in the game as he has the ability to give his midfielders first use, which is massively important with the amount of stoppages in the game now," Wynd told AFL.com.au

"While he may not collect a huge amount of possessions around the ground, you've got to be able to get your hand on the ball first and he does that.

"I'm a little bit surprised by it (Minson playing VFL), but I still think he has plenty to offer the club when the opportunity arises."

Wynd disputes the popular belief that slower ruckman like Minson are endangered species, but he does agree being versatile is a big advantage for the modern day follower.

"I think from time to time Will has been playing 90% in the ruck and that does wear you down," said Wynd. 

"The way I think the game is going is that you need a physical and tall ruckman who plays 70% of the game in the ruck and then you have the pinch hitters who come in and play the other 30%.

"It's always a bonus to be able play that second position up forward, but I still think there's room for that first ruck."

And versatility is what excites Wynd about Roughead, who is better suited to the ruck, but can hold down a spot in defence or attack.

"I really like Roughead in the ruck because technically he's really good at centre bounces and he's gives you mobility around the ground," said Wynd. 

"Hopefully the Dogs can play him in various roles because I think he's got that flexibility in his game."

And for a man who played a massive part of the Bulldogs' preliminary finals teams of the late 90's, Wynd is elated at the how the new breed of Dogs have turned their fortunes around. 

"It was all doom and gloom 10 months ago, but I think 'Bevo' and the club have done a fantastic job," said Wynd.

"You get the right people in the right places; you can turn things around pretty quickly.

"It makes a lot easier to play footy when you're enjoying it."