The Western Bulldogs will make at least three changes for Sunday night’s clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Almost three months has passed since the Bulldogs’ season-opener against Collingwood, with Luke Beveridge’s line-up set to take on a different look.
Lachie Hunter (club suspension) and Easton Wood (quad) are forced changes in an extended squad of 26, while swingman Lewis Young has been omitted.
Wood pulled up sore after the Bulldogs’ main session this morning, and will be assessed in the coming days.
The Bulldogs’ team of 22 will be finalised on Friday at 5pm.
As confirmed on Thursday afternoon, young gun Laitham Vandermeer will make his AFL debut.
The 21-year-old from Mooroopna in country Victoria joined the Bulldogs with pick 37 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft and now gets the chance to showcase his line-breaking ability on the main stage.
Billy Gowers also returns, named on a half-forward flank, while Pat Lipinski has been named on a wing after missing the season-opener due to concussion symptoms.
Lin Jong, Will Hayes, Ed Richards and yet-to-debut ruckman Jordon Sweet have all been named on the extended interchange bench after missing round one, alongside Vandermeer, Zaine Cordy, Matt Suckling and Ben Cavarra.
Sunday’s match will also mark off-season recruit Josh Bruce’s first game against his former team.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.
ROUND 2
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 14 June, 6.05pm AEST
Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS SQUAD
B: Ryan Gardner, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams
HB: Hayden Crozier, Jason Johannisen, Caleb Daniel
C: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Pat Lipinski
HF: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers
F: Mitch Wallis, Josh Bruce, Sam Lloyd
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int (extended): Matthew Suckling, Zaine Cordy, Ed Richards, Laitham Vandermeer, Ben Cavarra, Will Hayes, Jordon Sweet, Lin Jong
IN: Ed Richards, Laitham Vandermeer, Billy Gowers, Pat Lipinski, Will Hayes, Jordon Sweet, Lin Jong
OUT: Lachie Hunter (club suspension), Easton Wood (quad), Lewis Young
