Luke Beveridge has made two changes to the side that defeated Port Adelaide last weekend, bringing in Lin Jong and defender Marcus Adams.
The Bulldogs return to Etihad Stadium on Saturday night to face the second-placed Cats, just eleven percentage points separating the two sides going into round thirteen.
Adams comes straight back into the Bulldogs line-up after recovering from a minor ankle injury that saw him a late withdrawal last weekend.
In nine career games to date the 23-year old Adams has consistently taken on the AFL’s best, tall or small, covering everyone from Matthew Pavlich and Nat Fyfe in round one to Josh Kennedy and Eillot Yeo in Round 11.
Speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au, assistant coach Daniel Giansircusa said he expects Adams to add to his resume’ on Saturday night with a likely match-up on hulking Geelong forward Tom Hawkins.
“He’s been an important player for us this year, [and] for a first year player, [it] says something about the way he’s gone about it," Giansiracusa said.
“It’ll be good to get him back in, obviously with Hawkins back in the side for Geelong.
“Because he’s that mature age player we’ve got no qualms with him playing on the best.
“He’s done that this year, done it pretty well, so we’re looking forward to that again on Saturday night.”
Joel Hamling comes out for Adams, while Lin Jong returns to the senior side in place of the injured Luke Dahlhaus,.
Jong’s 32 possession, five tackle, two goal outing for Footscray last weekend was the latest in a run of strong performances at VFL level.
“Jongy was fantastic last week and we look forward to him putting his best foot forward and probably bringing that energy that Luke brings," he said.
“He’s hard around the contest, Jongy, and hopefully he can get on his bike and spread and put the Geelong mids under some pressure.
“He’ll play a few different roles, but that midfield/forward role he’ll play.”
The match will also be young star Marcus Bontempelli’s 50th game.
Round 13 – Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Saturday 18 June, 7:25pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium
| Full back | M Boyd | F Roberts | D Morris |
| Half back | S Biggs | M Adams | M Suckling |
| Centreline | L Hunter | T Liberatore | T Dickson |
| Half forward | L Picken | J Stringer | L Jong |
| Full forward | J Dunkley | J Redpath | C Daniel |
| Followers | J Roughead | J Macrae | M Bontempelli |
| Interchange | M Wallis | T Campbell | M Honeychurch |
| B Williams | |||
| Emergencies | W Minson | J Hamling | J Adcock |
In: M.Adams , L.Jong
Out: L.Dahlhaus (Knee) , J.Hamling (Omitted)
Milestone: M.Bontempelli - 50 games
