Bulldogs youngster Sam Darcy headlines four inclusions ahead of a bumper clash against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The son-of-a-gun will run out for the first time in red, white and blue, becoming the third generation from the Darcy’s to represent the Club.

Adam Treloar is a welcome inclusion for the side after a week on the sidelines with a calf complaint, while Lachlan McNeil also returns to the 22.

Alex Keath is back after missing the fixture against Geelong last weekend.

Ryan Gardner comes out of the team with a calf injury, while Buku Khamis, Robbie McComb and Mitch Hannan have all been omitted.

Defender Caleb Daniel will play his 150^th game for the red, white and blue, returning to the team last weekend after a layoff with a knee injury.

Stefan Martin, Laith Vandermeer, Toby McLean and Buku Khamis have been listed as emergencies.

One of the four will be confirmed as this week’s medical substitute an hour before the first bounce.

Fox Footy will broadcast the game live. 

ROUND 21 TEAM 

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle
Saturday 6 August, 4.35pm AEST
Marvel Stadium 

B: Bailey Williams, Alex Keath, Zaine Cordy
HB: Adam Treloar, Sam Darcy, Bailey Dale
C: Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith
HF: Jason Johannisen, Josh Bruce, Josh Dunkley 
F: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
R: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
Int: Rhylee West, Lachlan McNeil, Caleb Daniel, Riley Garcia
Emer: Stefan Martin, Laith Vandermeer, T.McLean, B.Khamis

In: Adam Treloar, Sam Darcy, Lachlan McNeil, Alex Keath
Out: Buku Khamis (omitted), Robbie McComb (omitted), Mitch Hannan (omitted), Ryan Gardner (calf)

The Western Bulldogs’ 2022 finals hopes have taken a hit after a 17-point loss to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

The Dockers, stinging from last week’s loss to Melbourne, played a much more attacking brand of football which, combined with strong conversion in front of goal, proved too much for the Bulldogs.

After being 23 points down at half time, the Dogs threw everything at the visitors in the final two quarters, but ultimately couldn’t get close enough to challenge for the four points.

The Bulldogs now need to win both of their remaining games – against GWS (Marvel Stadium) and Hawthorn (Tasmania), and hope other results go their way, to feature in the finals.

Fremantle key forward Rory Lobb had a significant say in the outcome, with three of his four goals coming in the opening half – each from set shots outside 50 – to help his team to the early advantage.

Josh Dunkley fought valiantly for the Dogs in a losing cause, finishing with 32 disposals (including a game-high 20 contested possessions), a goal and four tackles.

Tom Liberatore continued his impressive season, collecting 28 disposals to go with eight clearances, nine score involvements and five tackles.

Spearhead Aaron Naughton kicked three majors to take his season tally to 47, equalling his career-best (achieved in 2021), while Cody Weightman booted three – the 10^th time he has kicked multiple majors in a game this campaign.

There were flashes of brilliance from debutant Sam Darcy, who finished with 10 disposals and eight marks (two contested) as a key defender.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.4          5.5          9.9          11.12 (78)
FREMANTLE                     5.1          9.4          13.8        14.11 (95)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs:  Naughton 3, Weightman 3, Vandermeer, Smith, Bruce, Dunkley, English
Hawthorn: Lobb 4, Frederick 3, Taberner 2, Logue, Schultz, Walters, Brayshaw, O’Driscoll

BEST   
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Liberatore, Smith, Naughton, Macrae, Weightman
Fremantle:  Ryan, Lobb, Serong, Clark, Chapman, Brayshaw 

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Fremantle: Taberner (calf) 

MEDI-SUBS  
Western Bulldogs: Toby McLean (unused)
Fremantle: Liam Henry replaced Matt Taberner