The Western Bulldogs have confirmed three changes for Sunday’s pivotal match against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Matt Suckling, Josh Schache and Toby McLean will all return from injury against the Lions.
It will be Schache’s 50th match at AFL level.
The emerging key forward has played 22 matches in red, white and blue, since joining the Club from the Lions at the end of 2017.
Making way due to injury are Dale Morris (knee) and Taylor Duryea (groin soreness), while last week’s debutant Rhylee West has been omitted.
Duryea was withdrawn from the Bulldogs’ extended squad after training on Friday and replaced by Will Hayes.
Hayes, West, Bailey Williams and yet-to-debut ruckman Jordon Sweet are the emergencies.
Sitting in ninth spot on the ladder with four games to play, only percentage separates the Bulldogs from the eighth-placed Adelaide Crows.
The third-placed Lions will be out to maintain their top-four spot, however the Bulldogs have won the past five meetings between the two clubs.
ROUND 20 TEAM
B: Matt Suckling, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd
F: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int: Josh Schache, Toby McLean, Ed Richards, Pat Lipinski
Emer: Rhylee West, Will Hayes, Bailey Williams, Jordon Sweet
In: Matt Suckling, Josh Schache, Toby McLean
Out: Dale Morris (knee), Taylor Duryea (groin soreness), Rhylee West
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MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs
Gabba
Sunday 4 August
4.40pm AEST
For match information, click here.
LAST TIME WE MET
Round 8, 2019 – The Bulldogs capitalised on their home turf advantage in Ballarat, claiming a 16-point win earlier this season. Josh Dunkley (36 disposals) was dominant for the Bulldogs, with Lachie Hunter (32) and Jack Macrae (28) also finding plenty of the footy. Aaron Naughton (three goals) kicked an important goal on the stroke of half-time, as the Bulldogs hit the front before building their lead in the third term. Lachie Neale (30) was the Lions’ leading ball-winner, with Mitch Robinson kicking three majors.
BROADCAST INFO
TV – FOX Footy (live from 4.30pm)
Radio – Triple M, ABC, SEN1116
