The Western Bulldogs have made four changes for Friday night’s blockbuster against reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG.

Off-season recruit Mitch Hannan will play his first AFL game for the Western Bulldogs.

He will be joined in the team by key forward Josh Schache and midfield-forward pair Pat Lipinski and Rhylee West.

All four additions have displayed strong form in the VFL over the past fortnight.

Schache will make his first AFL appearance for 2021, while West will also play his first minutes this season – after being an unused medical sub in round one.

Hannan, a product of Footscray’s VFL program, will pull on the red, white and blue at AFL level for the first time after 50 AFL games across four years for Melbourne.

The Bulldogs will be chasing a seventh consecutive win to start the season.

Four players have been ruled out through injury.

Josh Dunkley (shoulder) and Lin Jong (hamstring) both had surgery this week to repair longer-term injuries sustained in last week’s win against the GWS Giants.

Tim English (concussion) and Laitham Vandermeer (back) are also out.

Last week’s medical sub, Lachie McNeil, has again been named an emergency – alongside Roarke Smith, Buku Khamis and number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.

ROUND 7 TEAM

Richmond v Western Bulldogs
Friday 30 April, 7.50pm AEST
MCG

B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Easton Wood
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale
C: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter
HF: Adam Treloar, Aaron Naughton, Rhylee West
F: Josh Schache, Josh Bruce, Mitch Hannan
R: Stefan Martin, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore
Int: Anthony Scott, Jason Johannisen, Hayden Crozier, Pat Lipinski
Emer: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Buku Khamis, Lachie McNeil, Roarke Smith

In: Josh Schache, Rhylee West, Pat Lipinski, Mitch Hannan
Out: Josh Dunkley (shoulder), Laitham Vandermeer (back), Tim English (concussion), Lin Jong (hamstring) Lachie McNeil

The Western Bulldogs’ six-game winning streak has come to an end, going down to Richmond by 22 points at the MCG on Friday night. 

In a tale of two halves, the Bulldogs were hot out of the blocks early, slotting the first three goals of the game to set themselves up with a 19-point lead at the main break. 

But the Tigers pounced in the third, kicking nine goals to the Dogs’ two after half-time in the 11.11 (77) to 7.13 (55) affair. 

The Bulldogs did what they could to remain within arms’ length, but inaccuracy in front of goal late and costly turnovers made things all the more difficult.   

Defensive duo Caleb Daniel (34 disposals) and Bailey Dale (27 disposals) were strong, while usual ball-magnet Jack Macrae (30 disposals) found plenty of the footy. 

Aaron Naughton finished with three goals from eight marks. 

The Bulldogs will now reset and look to bounce back against Carlton next Sunday at Marvel Stadium. 

RICHMOND                       1.4    2.8     7.10    11.11 (77)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.6    5.9     6.10      7.13 (55) 

GOALS

Richmond: Lynch 3, Bolton 3, Aarts, Riewoldt, Graham, Baker, Houli
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, Scott, Bruce, Smith, Schache 

BEST

Richmond: Lynch, Cotchin, Bolton, Houli, Short, Broad
Western Bulldogs: Dale, Liberatore, Bontempelli, Treloar, Daniel, Macrae 

INJURIES

Richmond: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Richmond: Naish (replaced T.Cotchin)
Western Bulldogs: McNeil (unused)