The 21-year-old, has already been exposed to the rigours of senior football, with 11 games experience for West Coast Eagles before being traded to the Kennel last October.
Stevens has quickly established a reputation as a ruthless competitor, and will be in good company when reunited with childhood friend and fellow tough nut Clay Smith through the Dogs’ midfield.
The Bulldogs’ back six will also gain a boost with Jordan Roughead named in the extended squad.
Missing the Club’s NAB Cup opener due to a virus, the versatile tall will help shore up the Dogs’ defence after being a standout on the training track this pre-season.
New draftees Jackson Macrae and Brett Goodes impressed Senior Coach Brendan McCartney enough in the Bulldogs’ first NAB Cup hitout to retain their spot on in the side, while Tom Young and Nick Lower have also been named.
The Bulldogs squad – which will be reduced to a side of 24 before the match – boasts a near full strength lineup, as they look to notch their first win for the year.
Three substitutes will be allowed in the modified NAB Cup rules in what is the team’s first full competitive match.
The Western Bulldogs go head to head with Hawthorn on Friday 1 March 2013 at 7:40pm EDT at Etihad Stadium.
The full team list:
2 ROBERT MURPHY
3 MITCH WALLIS
4 DANIEL CROSS
5 MATTHEW BOYD
6 LUKE DAHLHAUS
9 JAKE STRINGER*
10 EASTON WOOD
11 JACKSON MACRAE
13 DANIEL GIANSIRACUSA
14 CLAY SMITH
15 JASON TUTT
16 RYAN GRIFFEN
19 LIAM JONES
21 TOM LIBERATORE
23 JORDAN ROUGHEAD
25 KOBY STEVENS
27 WILL MINSON
29 TORY DICKSON
31 TOM YOUNG
33 NICK LOWER
37 LUKAS MARKOVIC
38 DALE MORRIS
39 JASON JOHANNISEN
42 LIAM PICKEN
44 BRETT GOODES
45 TOM CAMPBELL
49 AYCE CORDY
* Jake Stringer replaced Dylan Addison in the initial extended squad.
