The Western Bulldogs have added some grunt to their extended squad set to take on the Gold Coast Suns, headlined by Jordan Roughead who returns after a seven week lay-off.
Mitch Wallis, Brett Goodes, Clay Smith, Koby Stevens, Nathan Hrovat and Marcus Bontempelli have all named on an extended bench, after knocking down the selection door with ominous performances in the VFL.
The Suns have set the benchmark this year in the contested ball statistic and the recent Bulldogs additions will look to gain control of that part of the game on Sunday.
Roughead is set to reassume his post in the last line of defence and will be a worthy inclusion to the Bulldogs side Assistant Coach Steven King said.
After missing an extended period of football rehabilitating an AC injury, the 23-year-old was cleared by medical staff at today’s main training session.
“It’s massive for us as a group. He’s a great young man and leader for our Club and our team and just to get a key back, back in the lineup gives you huge confidence and reinforcement for the group,” King said.
“Roughy is a really important for us and it’s great to have him back.”
READ a statistical game breakdown of the Bulldogs upcoming game against the Gold Coast Suns.
The other noteworthy inclusion was Clay Smith, named for the first time since injuring his ACL in July last year.
The 2011 first round pick has eagerly awaited his opportunity to return to senior football, after another recent standout performance in the VFL.
Stevens, Wallis and Goodes have also performed well for Footscray, and will add hardened bodies to the team if selected.
Bontempelli’s best on ground performance against Sandringham was hard to ignore and the 18-year-old is in line to make his 3rd AFL appearance this Sunday.
The seven inclusions come in for Tom Williams (calf), Liam Jones (suspension), Jason Johannisen (omitted) and Tory Dickson (pectoral).
Round 10 - Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday 25 May 2014, 3:20pm
at Metricon Stadium
| Full back | L Picken | J Roughead | E Wood |
| Half back | S Higgins | D Morris | R Murphy |
| Centreline | A Cooney | R Griffen | J Macrae |
| Half forward | D Giansiracusa | J Stringer | J Tutt |
| Full forward | L Dahlhaus | S Crameri | F Roberts |
| Followers | W Minson | M Boyd | T Liberatore |
| Interchange (from): | M Wallis | M Bontempelli | C Smith |
| N Hrovat | K Stevens | L Hunter | |
| B Goodes |
