The Western Bulldogs have made five changes to the side that went down to St.Kilda last weekend, with Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus headlining the inclusions for Friday night’s clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Jake Stringer returns after missing a week with an AC injury, while Dahlhaus will play his first game since injuring his knee against Port Adelaide in Round 12. 

Speaking with westernbulldogs.com.au on Thursday, assistant coach Steven King said the two of them are ‘huge ins’ who will bring a combination of intensity, speed and power to the side.

“Dahl brings that in spades,” King said, “and we know what Jakey can do, not only forward but around the footy as well, so they’re two very welcome additions that I’m sure will help us.”

Joel Hamling and Jed Adcock have been named down back, while second-year defender Zaine Cordy will make the trip down to Geelong for his first senior game of the year after impressing at VFL level for Footscray.

King said that it’s 19-year-old Cordy’s attack on the football that sets him apart.

“He’s got great closing speed, he’s a competitor and he’s very aggressive.

“We love the way he competes and he’s not afraid to hang onto the footy and wait for the right option.” 

“He’s also really composed in traffic, which is a great quality to have as a defender.”

While Mitch Wallis and Jack Redpath will miss on the back of injuries suffered against the Saints, a hamstring strain will also keep Dale Morris out while Matthew Suckling and veteran Matthew Boyd won’t play due to soreness. 

King said the five day break between games meant the group needed to put the weekend’s injury-related events behind them and that’s what they’ve done.

“Footy’s a pretty good distraction, and as brutal and ruthless as it sounds, I think Murph (Bob Murphy) said it perfectly earlier in the week when he said we have to move on but we can’t leave anyone behind. 

“I’m sure the with the boys, the five that come in, will relish the opportunity and with Dahl and Jakey back in the team there’ll be a bit of a spark there.”

Skipper Easton Wood will play his 100the game for the Club on Friday and King was full of praise for the 26-year old’s achievement.

“He’s so courageous and athletic, but it’s not just that, it’s the type of person he is around the place, King said.

“It’s incredible to think it’s only 100 games… the way he plays now, the way you speak to him, the way he carries himself around the Club, you’d think he’s been around for a couple of hundred. 

“He’s a tremendous athlete and a great footballer so you’d think his next 100 games is going to be pretty special.”

Lukas Webb, Mitch Honeychurch and Bailey Dale have been named as emergencies.

Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Friday 29 July 2016, 7:50pm
Venue: Simonds Stadium

IN: J. Adcock, L. Dahlhaus, J.Stringer, J.Hamling, Z. Cordy

OUT: M.Boyd (Achilles), D.Morris (Hamstring), M.Suckling (Achilles), M.Wallis (Leg), J.Redpath
(Knee)

MILESTONE: Easton Wood (100 games)