At least three changes will be made for the Western Bulldogs’ clash with the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Mid-season draftee Ryan Gardner will make his AFL debut in the round 11 match, as confirmed on Tuesday – the day after he became a Bulldogs player.
Billy Gowers will also return after a week in the VFL, being named in a forward pocket.
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Josh Schache, Tory Dickson, Roarke Smith, Lachie Young and the yet-to-debut Rhylee West have all been named on an extended interchange bench, with at least one to come in to the final 22.
Key players Mitch Wallis and Hayden Crozier have been ruled out through injury, with utility Ed Richards omitted.
The Bulldogs will reduce their squad from 26 to a team of 22 at 5pm on Friday.
A win against the reigning premiers would see the Bulldogs enter the bye with a 5-6 record.
However, the Eagles have been in strong form in 2019, sitting fifth on the ladder after a come-from-behind win against the Adelaide Crows last week.
ROUND 11 TEAM
B: Jason Johannisen, Jackson Trengove, Bailey Williams
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith
HF: Matt Suckling, Ryan Gardner, Sam Lloyd
F: Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int (ext): Josh Schache, Rhylee West, Toby McLean, Pat Lipinski, Tory Dickson, Bailey Dale, Roarke Smith, Lachie Young
In: Josh Schache, Rhylee West, Billy Gowers, Tory Dickson, Roarke Smith, Lachie Young, Ryan Gardner
Out: Mitch Wallis (injured), Hayden Crozier (injured), Ed Richards
MATCH DETAILS
West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs
Optus Stadium, Perth
Sunday 2 June
3.20pm AWST
For match information, click here.
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LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 18, 2018 – The Eagles were far too strong on their home turf in their run to the premiership, increasing their lead at every interval on their way to a 54-point win. Andrew Gaff (35 disposals) and Elliot Yeo (28 disposals) found plenty of the ball, with Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps slotting three goals each. Josh Dunkley and Hayden Crozier were prominent for the Bulldogs with 29 disposals each, while Lachie Hunter collected 28 touches in his 100th AFL match.
BROADCAST INFO
TV – FOX Footy (live from 3pm AWST)
Radio – Triple M, ABC Grandstand, 3AW, SEN
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