The Western Bulldogs have made five changes to the side that fell narrowly to the Eagles in Perth last Friday night, with veterans Bob Murphy, Dale Morris and Travis Cloke headlining the inclusions.

Midfielder Mitch Wallis has also been recalled for his first game in nine months, sharpshooting forward Tory Dickson will play his first game for 2017, and big man Jordan Roughead has been named as an emergency.

Matthew Boyd (shoulder), Tom Liberatore, Fletcher Roberts, Zane Cordy and Toby McLean will all miss out.  

The Bulldogs will be looking to break an eight year drought on Friday night at Simonds Stadium; the last time the Dogs beat the Cats was back in round 21, 2009. 

Speaking to media this week, coach Luke Beveridge said he expects nothing less than the Cats’ best coming off a string of three straight losses.

“We’ve been on the end of their very best for a long time now,” Beveridge said.

“They’ve found it within them to beat us, I think nine out of the last ten times, so there’s a challenge for us to finally beat them after such a long period of time.

“We’ve seen what their very best players can do in dismantling opposition sides, including us, so that’s a consideration for us, not just talking about their two best midfielders, talking about their pillars at either end of the ground.

“We always prepare for anyone’s ferocity and best performance and we’ll do no different with them.”

The Dogs face Geelong at Simonds Stadium at 7:50pm on Friday night.

AFL Round 9 Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs
Friday 19 May, 2017, 7:50pm AEST
Venue: Simonds Stadium

IN: R. Murphy, D. Morris, M. Wallis, T. Dickson, T. Cloke
OUT: M. Boyd, T. Liberatore, F. Roberts, Z. Cordy, T. McLean