The Western Bulldogs have confirmed their team to take on Melbourne in Saturday night’s Hampson-Hardeman Cup clash at VU Whitten Oval.

Five players in Rocky Cranston, Alice Edmonds, Elle Bennetts, Amanda Ling and Elizabeth Snell will be pulling on the red, white and blue for the first time, as announced on Friday afternoon.

Cranston is set to start in the half-forward line, while Bennetts has been named in defence.

02:52

Burkey reveals five club debutants

AFLW Head Coach Nathan Burke breaks the news to the group that Amanda Ling and Elizabeth Snell will both make their AFLW debuts - while Rocky Cranston, Alice Edmonds and Elle Bennetts will all make their first appearance for the club.

Edmonds, Ling and Snell have been named start on the interchange bench.

Isabel Huntington (back-line) will return after missing last month’s practice match, as will Sarah Hartwig and Elisabeth Georgostathis (both on interchange bench).

Gemma Lagioia and Annabel Strahan have been selected as the emergencies.

02:21

Off the Leash | 2022 AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador

Lisa Hardeman discusses the circumstances behind being named the 2022 AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador, as well as how honoured she is to take on the role.

The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7, with the first bounce at 7pm AEDT on Saturday. 

Score updates will also be available via @BulldogsW on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All the information you need to know ahead of the game can be found in our round one match preview.

ROUND 1 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
Saturday 8 January, 7pm AEDT
VU Whitten Oval

B: Eleanor Brown, Isabel Huntington
HB: Elle Bennetts, Naomi Ferres, Ashleigh Guest
C: Isabella Grant, Ellie Blackburn, Isabelle Pritchard
HF: Britney Gutknecht, Rocky Cranston, Brooke Lochland
F: Nell Morris-Dalton, Bonnie Toogood
R: Celine Moody, Jess Fitzgerald, Kirsty Lamb
Int: Sarah Hartwig, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Alice Edmonds, Elizabeth Snell, Amanda Ling.
Emer: Gemma Lagioia, Annabel Strahan.