WESTERN Bulldogs forward Andrew Hooper is set to play his second AFL game on Friday night against Melbourne after earning a call up to the senior side.
The 20-year-old, who made his only AFL appearance in the Dogs' semi-final win over the Sydney Swans last September, has been rewarded for the four-goal performance he put in against the Bendigo Bombers last weekend for Williamstown.
He comes into the side with fellow forward Jarrad Grant, who has been recalled after three weeks in the VFL capped off by an eight-goal performance on Saturday in the 79-point win at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Sam Reid and Lukas Markovic make up the four inclusions.
Will Minson, Christian Howard, Jayden Schofield and Justin Sherman are the four omissions.
Coach Rodney Eade said the side's changes, with the exception of Sherman, who has been suspended for four weeks for racially vilifying a Gold Coast player last Saturday and will play in the VFL, were largely based on match ups.
"Reid is a player that's come in; Hooper, four goals last week is a real plus; Grant kicked eight last week, which is a real positive as well," he told Bulldogs TV on Thursday night.
"With Melbourne's tallish forward line, they haven’t really got anyone except for Brad Green and Colin Sylvia who are fantastic footballers, under six foot two.
"We've brought Markovic into play on at least one of their talls, which gives Tommy Williams a bit of support and a bit of back up in that area."
Eade admitted they were "taking a punt" by omitting Minson and playing with just one ruckman, but the Dogs had been concerned about being exposed for a lack of run after bringing in key back Markovic.
He also said Howard and Schofield were unlucky to lose their spots.
Full-back Brian Lake will spend another week in the VFL, making it six appearances for Williamstown this year.
"He struggled as a defender last week but played okay as a forward," Eade said earlier on Thursday.
"Brian's had a little bit of pain early the week and struggled at training but trained okay today.
"From our point of view, he's working hard but I think he's got to get to that stage where he can be at AFL standard."
The Dogs will play the Demons at Etihad Stadium, a venue where their opponents have failed to win in 10 starts.
The last time Melbourne recorded a win at the Docklands stadium was round 19, 2007 - coincidentally against the Bulldogs.
