For the first time in Brendan McCartney’s tenure as coach of the Western Bulldogs, an unchanged team will line up for the second consecutive week.
After a convincing 68-point win against the Lions on Easter Saturday, the Western Bulldogs will come up against premiership fancies Fremantle with the same 22 players from the season opener.
Koby Stevens received a boost early in the week when scans cleared the midfielder of any damage to his hamstring, and with captain Matthew Boyd at least one week away, the remaining midfielders will have another chance to cement a spot in the senior side.
Jackson Macrae’s weekend heroics in the VFL, wasn’t quite enough to earn the pick number six a call up, but McCartney indicated earlier in the week, the 18-year-old isn’t far away.
“At Torquay on Sunday where our VFL affiliate Williamstown played, we saw Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae have a significant impact on the game, and both are on track to play some senior football early in the year — their opportunities will come and we’re confident they’ll be ready to take them when they appear,” he said.
Assistant coach Steven King said this week’s game against a fierce and mature outfit in Fremantle will be another step up and highlighted the significance of former Docker Nick Lower’s negating role.
“We are coming up against a more hardened, ferocious Fremantle side that will be looking to extend their form on the road,” King said.
“Nick Lower gets his first opportunity against a former club in Fremantle. He was instrumental for us last week in shutting down Daniel Rich so no doubt he will get another important job this week.”
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle Dockers
Saturday, 6 April 2013 at Etihad Stadium
Backs: T.Young 31 D.Morris 38 L.Picken 42
Half Backs: A.Cooney 17 J.Roughead 23 B.Goodes 44
Centres: M.Wallis 3 N.Lower 33 K.Stevens 25
Half Forwards: T.Dickson 29 L.Jones 19 D.Giansiracusa 13
Forwards: R.Murphy 2 A.Cordy 49 S.Higgins 7
Followers: W.Minson 27 R.Griffen 16 T.Liberatore 21
Interchange: D.Cross 4 L.Dahlhaus 6 C.Smith 14 J.Johannisen 39
Emergencies: E.Wood 10 J.Macrae 11 L.Markovic 37
