Bulldogs forward Jason Johannisen will play his first game in 2022 after being named in the side to face Greater Western Sydney at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday night.

The former Norm Smith Medallist has had a challenging start to the season, sidelined with a calf complaint sustained in the warm-up of a round one clash against the Demons, before succumbing to illness upon return to football.

Johannisen is joined by young key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who returns fresh off a six-goal performance in the VFL two weeks ago.

Josh Schache comes into the side to provide depth at both ends of the ground, providing plenty of options heading into an important match against the Giants.

Bailey Smith will miss the next four weeks after being suspended for head-butting Zach Tuohy, before receiving a further two weeks from the AFL Integrity Unit earlier today.

Buku Khamis and Lachlan McNeil have been omitted from the side that suffered a 13-point defeat to Geelong.

The emergencies are Mitch Wallis, Hayden Crozier, Buku Khamis and Lachlan McNeil.

A player will be confirmed as the medical sub an hour before the first bounce.

Channel 7 and Fox Footy will broadcast the game live.

ROUND 14 TEAM 
Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants
Saturday 18 June, 7.25pm AEST
GIANTS Stadium 

B: Ed Richards, Ryan Gardner, Tim O’Brien
HB: Caleb Daniel, Alex Keath, Bailey Dale
C: Bailey Williams, Jack Macrae, Anthony Scott
HF: Jason Johannisen, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Tom Liberatore 
F: Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Cody Weightman
R: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar
Int: Rhylee West, Taylor Duryea, Robbie McComb, Josh Schache

Emer: Mitch Wallis, Lachlan McNeil, Buku Khamis, Hayden Crozier

In: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Jason Johanissen, Josh Schache
Out: Smith (suspension), Khamis (omitted), McNeil (omitted), Wallis (medisub)

Last week’s sub: M. Wallis (unused)

The Western Bulldogs have returned to the winners list, recording a 20-point triumph over GWS in a Saturday night goalfest at Giants Stadium.

The Dogs’ second-half dominance was critical to the 16.9 (105) to 19.11 (125) result, in the highest scoring game of the season so far.  

The opening half was an arm wrestle, with just a handful of points separating the two sides at both quarter-time and half-time.

The Bulldogs’ early accuracy was a highlight, helping them establish a 22-point buffer in the first before conceding three late goals which cut their lead to just three points.

Goals were exchanged throughout the second term, with the Giants looking more threatening as the main break approached.

Things could have turned sour when the hosts drew level midway through the third quarter, but the Bulldogs’ maturity came to the fore.

Five unanswered majors gave the visitors some breathing room at the final break, and while the Giants continued to press in the last, the Dogs were able to keep them at bay.  

Vice-captain Jack Macrae was everywhere, registering 37 touches, nine tackles, six clearances and a goal, while Josh Dunkley won a game-high 15 contested possessions to go with 27 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.

On-ballers Adam Treloar (31 disposals, Marcus Bontempelli (28, seven clearances, one goal) and Tom Liberatore (26, six marks, 10 clearances) were all impactful, while Tim English (23 touches, six marks and 35 hit-outs) and Rhylee West (14 disposals, five marks, two goals) impressed.

Cody Weightman produced five first-half goals, which was matched by Aaron Naughton who also finished with five himself.

Alex Keath, Ryan Gardner and Tim O’Brien were strong in defence, with recently re-signed duo Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale also important across half-back.

The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning form when they host Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium next Friday night.

GWS GIANTS                      5.4     9.7      11.8     16.9 (105)
WESTERN BULLDOGS       6.1     10.6    16.9     19.11 (125)

GOALS
GWS Giants: Greene 7, Hogan 3, Coniglio 2, Riccardi 2, Ash, Brander
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 5, Naughton 5, West 2, Williams, Bontempelli, McNeil, Scott, Ugle-Hagan, Macrae, Dunkley

BEST
GWS Giants: Greene, Green, Coniglio, Hogan, Himmelberg
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Weightman, Naughton, English, Dunkley, Bontempelli 

INJURIES
GWS Giants: Preuss (ankle), Peatling (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Duryea (knee), Weightman (elbow)

LATE CHANGES
GWS Giants: Matt Flynn (quad) replaced in selected side by Zach Sproule
Western Bulldogs: Nil  

SUBSTITUTES
GWS Giants: Jarrod Brander (replaced Preuss in the second quarter) 
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (replaced Duryea in the first quarter)