The Western Bulldogs have named a strong squad to take on the Eagles in the season opener this Sunday with Robert Murphy declared fit to play his 250^th career game.

Captain Ryan Griffen was the biggest name missing from the extended squad, with the Club taking a no-risk approach to his back injury.

The Bulldogs take on one of the form sides of the pre-season in West Coast Eagles but Assistant Coach Rohan Smith said the Dogs are primed.

View the match information and broadcast guide for Sunday's match against the Eagles.

Boasting two wins from three games this pre-season, the Bulldogs will also carry a strong vein of form into the weekend’s clash.

Smith said Koby Stevens and Tom Liberatore stood out as two of the Club’s best pre-season performers but the Bulldogs would require nothing less than a team effort to overcome the in-form Eagles.

“If you have a look at the pre-season as a whole, I think Koby Stevens has had an outstanding pre-season going over to Perth playing against his old team,” Smith said.

“I am sure he will be nice and steeled up for sure.

“But you can’t really individualise, I think that every single guy has impressed on the track, every single guy has done everything that we’ve asked of him.”

Mitch Honeychurch has been rewarded for his pre-season form and will make the trip to Perth, and forward Stewart Crameri will line up in Bulldogs colours for the first time.

“Mitch has done everything right, everything that we have asked of him during the pre-season every game we have asked him to play he has played a role and he has done it to perfection,” he said.

“He deserves his chance to go over and spend some time with the squad and whether he comes in and plays or not, I’m sure if he gets a game he will put his (best) foot forward.”

Round 1 - West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs
7:40pm (AEST, 4:40pm local Perth time) Sunday, 23 March 2014
Patersons Stadium

View the complete team list for the Bulldogs' opponents the West Coast Eagles for Sunday's match.