Midfielder Lin Jong will make his first AFL appearance in 664 days when he lines up for the Western Bulldogs against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has overcome a pre-season hamstring injury to be one of five inclusions for the round two clash.
Jong will be joined in the team by debutant Laitham Vandermeer, Billy Gowers, Pat Lipinski and Ed Richards as the Bulldogs look to atone for a disappointing round one defeat to Collingwood almost three months ago.
Easton Wood (quad) and Lachie Hunter (club suspension) are both out, while Zaine Cordy, Lewis Young and Ben Cavarra have been omitted.
Wood pulled up sore after the Bulldogs’ main session on Thursday morning and will be assessed in the coming days.
Cordy, Cavarra, Will Hayes and Jordon Sweet are the emergencies.
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 TEAM
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 14 June, 6.05pm AEST
Marvel Stadium
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: Matthew Suckling, Ed Richards, Laitham Vandermeer, Lin Jong
Emer: Zaine Cordy, Ben Cavarra, Will Hayes, Jordon Sweet
IN: Ed Richards, Laitham Vandermeer, Billy Gowers, Pat Lipinski, Lin Jong
OUT: Lachie Hunter (club suspension), Easton Wood (quad), Lewis Young, Zaine Cordy, Ben Cavarra
