An unchanged team has been named by the Western Bulldogs for their elimination final against the GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon at Giants Stadium.
The Bulldogs have elected not to alter the 22 that sealed seventh spot on the ladder by defeating Adelaide in Ballarat in the final round of the home-and-away season.
Veteran forward Tory Dickson has overcome a hamstring injury to be named as an emergency, alongside experienced tall Jackson Trengove and utilities Bailey Williams and Roarke Smith.
The Bulldogs line-up will feature 11 players making their first AFL finals appearance, and an additional two playing their first final in red, white and blue.
Among the 11 finals debutants is in-form forward Bailey Dale, who has kicked 20 goals in his past six matches and signed a three-year deal to remain a Bulldog until the end of 2022.
ELIMINATION FINAL TEAM
B: Taylor Duryea, Lewis Young, Hayden Crozier
HB: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards
HF: Bailey Dale, Josh Schache, Sam Lloyd
F: Bailey Smith, Aaron Naughton, Toby McLean
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int: Matt Suckling, Rhylee West, Pat Lipinski, Will Hayes
Emer: Jackson Trengove, Tory Dickson, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith
NO CHANGE
MATCH DETAILS
GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs
Giants Stadium
Saturday 7 September
3.20pm AEST
For match information, click here.
LAST TIME WE MET
Round 22, 2019 – Just two weeks ago, the Bulldogs and Giants met at the venue for their elimination final. The Bulldogs got the points, claiming a 61-point on the back of a 10-goal-to-nil second half. Midfield trio Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli starred, as did Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene.
LAST TIME WE MET… IN A FINAL
Preliminary Final, 2016 – This was one of the Western Bulldogs’ most famous victories. Also at Giants Stadium, the Bulldogs secured a grand final berth. Tory Dickson and Clay Smith kicked four goals each, as the Bulldogs came from a point down at three quarter time to claim a one-goal win.
BROADCAST INFO
TV – Channel 7, FOX Footy
Radio – Triple M, ABC, SEN 1116, 3AW
