After 342 days, Josh Bruce will make a triumphant return to the Bulldogs line-up under the Friday night lights against St Kilda.

The key forward hasn’t played a game of AFL since injuring his ACL in Round 21 last season and will be a welcome return to the front half alongside Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Bailey Smith comes into the side after missing a month through suspension, continuing a stellar season averaging 32 disposals a game.

Buku Khamis and Lachlan McNeil have also been included in the 22, allowing flexibility at both ends of the ground.

Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache will both miss due to AFL Health and Safety protocols, while Dominic Bedendo has been omitted.

Anthony Scott won’t play against the Saints due to concussion, while Aaron Naughton has overcome his knee soreness to be named.

Both the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda will play for the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate, named in honour of legendary duo Ted Whitten and Trevor Barker.

The Plate highlights the Trevor Barker Foundation and the EJ Whitten Foundation – both of which partner with Challenge, an organisation dedicated to supporting children and their families living with cancer.

The emergencies are Tim O’Brien, Luke Cleary, Roarke Smith and Jordon Sweet.

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 18 TEAM 
Western Bulldogs v St Kilda
Friday 15 July, 7.50pm AEST
Marvel Stadium

B: Ed Richards, Ryan Gardner, Buku Khamis
HB: Mitch Hannan, Alex Keath, Bailey Dale
C: Bailey Williams, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae
HF: Rhylee West, Josh Bruce, Bailey Smith 
F: Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Cody Weightman
R: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar
Int: Jason Johannisen, Riley Garcia, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Lachlan McNeil
Emer: Tim O’Brien, Roarke Smith, Luke Cleary, Jordon Sweet.

In: Bailey Smith, Josh Bruce, Buku Khamis, Lachlan McNeil
Out: Lachie Hunter (H&S protocols), Josh Schache (H&S protocols), Anthony Scott (concussion), Dom Bedendo (omitted), Robbie McComb (medi-sub)

Last week’s sub: R. McComb (replaced Anthony Scott)

The Western Bulldogs have kept their finals hopes alive with a much-needed win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

Despite a late Saints surge – which saw the margin diminish from 52 points to just 22 – the Dogs were able to hold steady, partly thanks to some Marcus Bontempelli brilliance.

The 13.6 (84) to 7.14 (56) victory moves the Dogs into ninth spot on the ladder, while also retaining the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate.

Having learnt from the past fortnight, the Bulldogs looked switched on from the start, moving the ball through the corridor with confidence.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan broke through for the Dogs’ first after a somewhat scrappy opening eight minutes, which kickstarted a run of seven unanswered red, white and blue goals.

Forced to share the forward load after Aaron Naughton (AFL Health and Safety Protocols) was withdrawn was no issue for the Dogs, with Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar and Mitch Hannan three of 10 goalkickers for the night.

Holding a comfortable 36-point buffer at half-time, the Bulldogs continued to assert dominance in the third.

A couple of misjudged kicks gave the Saints a look at the start of the final stanza, but a captain’s goal in the dying minutes ultimately put a stop on any St Kilda comeback.

Bontempelli was at his best, registering 34 disposals, 11 marks, five clearances and two goals, while Tom Liberatore (31 disposals, five inside 50s, 11 clearances) was also impactful.

Buku Khamis was a shining light in defence, while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan finished with three majors.

Bailey Dale (30 touches, five rebound 50s, 705 metres gained) and Adam Treloar (25 touches, eight marks, one goal) were solid across half-back, while Mitch Hannan impressed in defensive 50.

The Bulldogs will next host Melbourne on Saturday 23 July.

WESTERN BULLDOGS         5.2       8.4       12.5       13.6 (84)
ST KILDA                              0.2      2.4        3.9.        7.14 (56)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 3, Bontempelli 2, Dale, Dunkley, Garcia, Hannan, Johannisen, Treloar, Weightman, West
St Kilda: King 2, Steele, Wood, Jones, Sinclair, Billings

BEST   
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Dale, Gardner, Macrae, Smith, Khamis
St Kilda: Sinclair, Wilkie, Billings, Steele

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Alex Keath (corked quad)
St Kilda: Ryder (calf strain)

SUBSTITUTES  
Western Bulldogs: Luke Cleary (unused)
St Kilda: Ben Long (replaced Paddy Ryder in the third quarter)

Crowd: 25,981