The Western Bulldogs have made three changes ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash against the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium.

Key defender Ryan Gardner returns to the line-up after missing last week with a calf complaint, bolstering the backline against the Giants.

Ruckman Stef Martin makes his long-awaited return from injury for the vital clash, coming into the AFL side for the first time since Round 8.

The 35-year-old has been in fantastic VFL form over the past fortnight, notching 28 touches, two goals and 24 hit-outs in Footscray’s victory on Saturday.

Lachie Hunter returns to the fold after a standout performance of 31 touches and three goals against Coburg last week.

Forward Josh Bruce has been managed for Saturday’s fixture, while Riley Garcia and Alex Keath have been omitted.

Josh Schache, Riley Garcia, Roarke Smith and Alex Keath 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 22 TEAM 
Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants
Saturday 13 August, 1.45pm AEST
Marvel Stadium

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

In: Stefan Martin, Ryan Gardner, Lachie Hunter
Out: Josh Bruce (managed), Alex Keath (omitted), Riley Garcia (omitted), Toby McLean (medi-sub)

The Western Bulldogs' hopes and dreams of September action are still alive.

The Bulldogs simply had to beat Greater Western Sydney to stay in the hunt for finals and despite finding it difficult to break the game open, the home side found a way to win. 

The five-point victory completed the all-important first part of the equation, the other being a win over Hawthorn next week.

The Bulldogs were tested at every turn by a Giants side determined to play spoiler against their rivals.

After falling behind by four points at three-quarter time, Luke Beveridge's charges needed to respond and they did just enough in the final quarter to secure a season-saving five-point win.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had a cool head when it mattered, kicking the solitary goal of the final term to secure the 9.8 (62) to 8.9 (57) win and send the Bulldogs into ninth on the ladder, while adding another enthralling chapter to one of the game's burgeoning modern rivalries.

Caleb Daniel found plenty of the ball with 29 touches, while Josh Dunkley (26) and Bailey Dale (26) continued their consistent seasons in the tight victory.

Bailey Williams was the only multiple goal scorer for the Dogs with two majors from the win.

Sam Darcy was again important in his second game in the red, white and blue taking seven marks across his 15 touches.

Now the fate of the Dogs rests in the hands of both Melbourne and Hawthorn; a win from either this weekend against Carlton and Richmond respectively will ensure the Bulldogs will still be in the hunt come the final round of the season, where they will take on the Hawks in Tasmania in another 'must win and hope' game.

WESTERN BULLDOGS                  3.0     4.1     8.2    9.8 (62)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.1     3.3     8.6    8.9 (57)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Williams 2, Naughton, English, Weightman, Dale, Liberatore, Smith, Ugle-Hagan
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 2, Hogan, Ward, Stein, Haynes, Hogan, Keeffe

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Dale, Macrae, Smith, Dunkley, English, Daniel, Bontempelli, Richards
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Coniglio, Himmelberg, Green, Ward, Whitfield, Haynes, Taylor, Perryman

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore (head)
Greater Western Sydney: Keeffe (thigh), Taylor (head), Aleer (head)

MEDICAL SUBS
Western Bulldogs: Roarke Smith
Greater Western Sydney: Xavier O’Halloran replaced Lachie Keeffe in fourth quarter

CROWD
18,301 at Marvel Stadium