The Western Bulldogs have made one change to their team ahead of Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Lewis Young has been recalled, replacing injured defender Ryan Gardner who sustained an AC joint injury in last week’s win over West Coast.

Young has played three senior matches this season, most recently featuring in the Bulldogs’ 111-point win over St Kilda in round 10.

The 22-year-old has been named on the bench alongside Toby McLean, Mitch Hannan and Riley Garcia.

Patrick Lipinski, Josh Schache, Mitch Wallis and Jordon Sweet have been named as emergencies, with one to be confirmed as the medical sub an hour before the first bounce on Sunday.

Defender Taylor Duryea will celebrate his 150^th AFL match, having played 31 games in the red, white and blue after crossing from Hawthorn at the end of 2018.

Fox Footy will broadcast the match live from 4pm.

The game will also form part of a Bulldogs-Roos double-header on Sunday, with Footscray taking on North VFL at VU Whitten Oval from 12.05pm.

ROUND 16 TEAM

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Sunday 4 July, 4.40pm

Marvel Stadium

B: Caleb Daniel, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams

HB: Taylor Duryea, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale

C: Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith

HF: Jason Johannisen, Aaron Naughton, Cody Weightman

F: Anthony Scott, Josh Bruce, Lachie Hunter

R: Tim English, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli

Int: Lewis Young, Toby McLean, Mitch Hannan, Riley Garcia

Emer: Patrick Lipinski, Josh Schache, Mitch Wallis, Jordon Sweet

In: Lewis Young

Out: Ryan Gardner (shoulder), Mitch Wallis (medical sub)

A career-best four-goal haul from emerging forward Cody Weightman has helped propel the Western Bulldogs back into pole position on the AFL ladder, with a 16.12 (108) to 11.13 (79) win against North Melbourne.

In a scrappy contest at Marvel Stadium, the Bulldogs opened up a five-goal lead at the major break and weathered a late storm from the Kangaroos to run out 29-point victors.

Star midfielders Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore again led the way.

Liberatore (25 disposals, two goals, eight clearances), Bontempelli (27 disposals) and Macrae (31 dispoals, seven clearances) all found plenty of the ball.

However, it was the Kangaroos who led a number of key statistical categories.

They finished with more disposals (367-341), clearances (36-29), inside-50s (52-50) and marks (138-99).

But it didn’t matter on the scoreboard, as the Bulldogs found regular avenues to goal.

Weightman’s form in front of goal was complemented by three goals for Mitch Wallis – who was a late inclusion for Ed Richards (illness) – and two majors apiece to key forward Josh Bruce and rebounding defender Bailey Dale.

Dale continued his outstanding season, finishing with 23 disposals and 602 metres gained, while Bailey Williams and Alex Keath also impressed down back.

The Bulldogs had a two-goal advantage by quarter time, extended that to 27 points at the half and then 39-points at the final change.

A late charge from the Kangaroos – they kicked 4.8 in the final term – forced a response from the Bulldogs, with Wallis kicking all three of his majors in the last period, including a long bomb from outside 50.

However, the Bulldogs will be without key forward Aaron Naughton next week, after he was substituted out at half time due to concussion.

Details for the Bulldogs’ clash with the Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium remain TBC.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    5.1    9.6    13.8    16.12 (108)
NORTH MELBOURNE     3.1    5.3     7.5     11.13 (79)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 4, Wallis 3, Bruce 2, Liberatore 2, Dale 2, Garcia, Hannan, Williams
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 4, Cunnington 2, Goldstein 2, Davies-Uniacke, Scott, Thomas

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Weightman, Dale, Liberatore, Macrae, Williams
North Melbourne: Zurhaar, Tarrant, Cunnington, McDonald, Hall, Thomas

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Naughton (concussion)
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
Western Bulldogs: Lipinski (replaced Naughton)
North Melbourne: Ford (unused)