The Western Bulldogs have named their 26-player squad for Sunday’s elimination final against Essendon at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.
Key defender Ryan Gardner, midfielder Rhylee West and utility Anthony Scott have been added to the team that played Port Adelaide last week.
The trio have been named on the extended bench, alongside Josh Schache – last week’s unused medical sub – Jason Johannisen, Roarke Smith, Mitch Hannan and Easton Wood.
A team of 22 players and four emergencies will be confirmed by the Bulldogs at 5pm on Friday.
One of the four emergencies will be named as the medical sub an hour before the first bounce on Sunday.
The last time these two sides met in a final was almost 70 years ago, in 1953, when a Footscray side featuring the likes of Ted Whitten and Charlie Sutton overcame an Essendon outfit boasting John Coleman by eight points in a semi-final at the MCG.
In more recent times, the teams met just three weeks ago. The Bombers secured a 13-point win in that meeting.
Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
ELIMINATION FINAL SQUAD
Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Sunday 29 August, 3.20pm AEST
UTAS Stadium, Launceston
B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale
C: Adam Treloar, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter
HF: Laitham Vandermeer, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith
F: Tom Liberatore, Tim English, Cody Weightman
Foll: Lewis Young, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli
Int (ext): Josh Schache, Anthony Scott, Jason Johannisen, Roarke Smith, Ryan Gardner, Rhylee West, Mitch Hannan, Easton Wood
In: Anthony Scott, Ryan Gardner, Rhylee West
Out:
