Mitch Honeychurch has been rewarded for his ultra-consistent form in the VFL and is the sole inclusion into the side to take on Port Adelaide this Saturday.

The 21-year-old has been in stunning VFL form this season, featuring in the best players in all  of his six games prior to this weekend — where he was rested after half time, yet still managed 19 possessions in a half.

The tenacious midfielder/forward replaces Toby McLean who sustained a foot injury in the eight-point-win against West Coast last Sunday.

Midfield coach Steven King  lauded Honeychurch’s persistence and expects him to make an immediate impact in Adelaide.

“Mitch will be great, he’s been knocking the door down for a couple of months so he gets opportunity through the unfortunate injury to Toby,” King said.

“Mitch should come in full of confidence. He’s in great form and he competes as strongly as anyone so he’ll be ready for it.”

If consolidating a top-four spot on the ladder wasn’t incentive enough for the eight-and-three Bulldogs, Ruckman Jordan Roughead’s 100^th game might be.

Roughead has put together an impressive season to date, working in tandem with Tom Campbell to good effect.

King said Roughead’s ability to play in all areas of the ground had been an asset, but his renewed focus as a ruck/forward has paid dividends for the team this season.

“It’s great for Rough. He’s been thrown everywhere in his 100 games,” King said.

“He’s spent time back, forward, ruck, so for the last 18 months for him to focus on that ruck/forward role, I think he’s really starting to grow and get some more confidence in his game.”

“You’re starting to see him impact games and weekly seeing him grow, not only his marking craft and forward craft but also his ruck craft as well.”

Round 12 – Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 11 June, 1:10pm
Venue: Adelaide Oval

In: M Honeychurch

Out: T McLean (foot)

Milestones: J Roughead (100 games)