A third Western Bulldogs 2012 first round draftee is poised to play senior football this pre-season, with exciting young pup Nathan Hrovat named in the extended squad to take on Richmond on Saturday.
After a quad injury delayed his AFL start, the ex-Northern Knights captain regained his touch in a VFL practice match for VFL affiliate Williamstown last week and will be looking to show his wares at senior level if selected in the final side.
The 18-year-old forged a reputation as a ball magnet during his junior footballing career with the versatility to win his own ball as well as push forward to hit the scoreboard and won All Australian honours in his TAC Cup year as well as being recognised as Vic Metro’s Most Valuable Player.
Hrovat joins a number of experienced campaigners who have been recalled to the side, to consolidate the lineup before the season opener against Brisbane Lions.
Captain Matthew Boyd joins Club veterans Robert Murphy, Dale Morris and Daniel Giansiracusa who return to the fold, while silky outside runner Jackson Macrae will line up for his forth senior appearance.
New recruits Koby Stevens and Nick Lower have also retained their spots with promising pre-season form while rookie Brett Goodes will look to build on a great summer in the red, white and blue.
The Western Bulldogs take on Richmond at Visy Park on Saturday from 2pm, with the 27 man squad set to be finalised before the first bounce.
Full team list:
2 ROBERT MURPHY
3 MITCH WALLIS
4 DANIEL CROSS
5 MATTHEW BOYD
6 LUKE DAHLHAUS
11 JACKSON MACRAE
13 DANIEL GIANSIRACUSA
14 CLAY SMITH
15 JASON TUTT
16 RYAN GRIFFEN
17 ADAM COONEY
19 LIAM JONES
21 TOM LIBERATORE
23 JORDAN ROUGHEAD
24 NATHAN HROVAT
25 KOBY STEVENS
27 WILL MINSON
29 TORY DICKSON
31 TOM YOUNG
33 NICK LOWER
37 LUKAS MARKOVIC
38 DALE MORRIS
39 JASON JOHANNISEN
42 LIAM PICKEN
44 BRETT GOODES
45 TOM CAMPBELL
49 AYCE CORDY
