Important defender Bailey Williams is back for the Western Bulldogs’ blockbuster clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The South Australian returns in his home state, after overcoming the collarbone injury that has seen him miss the last three rounds.

Williams is one of three inclusions to face the third-placed Power.

He’s joined in the team by emerging forward Cody Weightman and wingman Roarke Smith, with both making their first AFL appearances in 2021.

Tim English (concussion) will miss another week, while Lachie Hunter has also been ruled out despite remarkably almost proving his fitness less than a week after surgery to repair a broken hand.

Hunter is one of four players out of last week’s 23 that defeated Carlton.

Debutant Buku Khamis, defender Hayden Crozier and unused medical sub Rhylee West also make way.

Crozier and West have been named as emergencies, alongside Lewis Young and Louis Butler.

The match will mark midfielder Bailey Smith’s 50^th AFL game.

Smith hasn’t missed a game since joining the Bulldogs with pick seven in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, with the 20-year-old making his debut in the opening round of 2019.

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

ROUND 9 TEAM

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 15 May, 7.10pm ACST / 7.40pm AEST
Adelaide Oval

B: Bailey Smith, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams
HB: Jason Johannisen, Aaron Naughton, Pat Lipinski
C: Cody Weightman, Taylor Duryea, Roarke Smith
HF: Mitch Hannan, Easton Wood, Lachie McNeil
F: Anthony Scott, Josh Bruce, Jordon Sweet
R: Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel
Int: Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore
Emer: Lewis Young, Rhylee West, Louis Butler, Hayden Crozier

In: Cody Weightman, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith
Out: Lachie Hunter (hand), Hayden Crozier (managed), Rhylee West (managed), Buku Khamis 

The Western Bulldogs have conquered one of the most difficult tasks in the AFL – defeating Port Adelaide on their home turf by 19 points on Saturday night.

Before the Round 9 top-four clash, the Power had won 10 of their last 11 games at Adelaide Oval – losing only to Richmond in last year’s preliminary final.

A four-goal haul from Aaron Naughton and three crucial majors from Cody Weightman - in his first game for the season - were key to the Dogs’ second consecutive interstate victory.

The win saw the Bulldogs improve to eight wins and one loss so far in this campaign, with three of those coming against current top eight teams.

After a rollercoaster first half, the Dogs made their move with the first four goals of the third term, and withstood a late charge from the Power.

The margin was just eight points at the 24-minute mark of the final stanza, before Weightman scored a miracle goal over his left shoulder.

Naughton’s fourth, from a strong contested mark shortly after, eventually iced the contest.

Marcus Bontempelli completed another best afield performance, with 26 disposals, two goals, six score involvements and seven inside 50s.

Midfield warrior Tom Liberatore was immense inside the contest, finishing with 27 touches (with a game-high 20 contested possessions) and 12 clearance (the most of any player).

Jack Macrae’s remarkable season continued with his ninth consecutive match of 30 or more disposals.

The win was soured by a hamstring injury to defender Easton Wood, which he suffered in the opening quarter.

MATCH DETAILS
Port Adelaide                    2.1          8.1          9.4          12.5 (77)
Western Bulldogs            6.2          8.2          12.5        15.6 (96)

GOALS
Port Adelaide:  Fantasia 2, Georgiades 2, Dixon 2, Hartlett, Amon, Drew, Wines, Powell-Pepper, Gray
Western Bulldogs:  Naughton 4, Weightman 3, Bontempelli 2, Bruce 2, Johannisen 2, McNeil, Hannan

BEST
Port Adelaide: Wines, Fantasia, Georgiades, Boak, Amon 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Naughton, Liberatore, Daniel, Weightman 

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Clurey (jaw)
Western Bulldogs: Wood (hamstring)                                                             

SUBSTITUTES 
Port Adelaide: Martin Frederick (replaced Clurey)     
Western Bulldogs: Hayden Crozier (replaced Wood)

Crowd: TBC at Adelaide Oval