HIGH-LEAPING forward Zeph Skinner will make a startling debut for the Western Bulldogs this Saturday after playing for Williamstown reserves just three weeks ago

The 21-year-old from Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia will play his first AFL game against the Sydney Swans after impressing over the past fortnight in the VFL seniors.

After also impressing in the Dogs' NAB Cup/Challenge campaign - particularly when he kicked four goals against Fremantle in Bunbury in early March - Skinner is poised to become the sixth player to play their first game for the club this season. 

"I think it's been well documented about his exciting talent and he played very well last week for Williamstown in their win over Coburg," coach Rodney Eade told Bulldogs' TV on Thursday night.

"So we're very excited about giving him his first game."

The Dogs will make four changes to the side that suffered a 48-point loss to Collingwood on Sunday with Brian Lake, Jordan Roughead and Dylan Addison all omitted.

Lake's absence was confirmed earlier in the week, with the club sending him back to the VFL to find match fitness and form while Roughead is a casualty of Will Minson's impressive game against the Pies and Ben Hudson's return from an ankle injury.

Tom Liberatore is the other omission with the first-year player to miss with general soreness after playing all five of the Dogs' games this season. 

"He hasn't recovered totally from two six-day breaks and being such a young lad, and it's a long season ahead, we've made the decision to give him a rest this week," Eade said.

Hudson comes in with Daniel Giansiracusa and Brennan Stack with the latter to give the Dogs coverage in defence in the absence of Lake.

The side will travel to Canberra on Friday morning ahead of Saturday's match at Manuka Oval, which is a ground the Dogs have had consistent success at.

"Canberra has been a happy hunting ground for us. I know it's a home game away from home but our record there has been very good, and our record against the Swans, who are a very competitive, hard working side, has been very good as well," Eade said.

"We're heading to Canberra with a fair bit of confidence.

"The morale's still high, but with only a six-day break, the training has been a lot less this week, obviously to download the players.

"As you will see with the selection, we've made four changes and we're certainly looking forward to the Canberra game, and notching a win, and kick-starting our season."

Eade praised the form of defender Lukas Markovic, who has held down a key role down back every game this year, and said the Dogs would look to play more young players in the coming weeks.

He also said Lindsay Gilbee would likely return to the backline to help cover Lake this week after successfully playing as a tagging forward against the Pies.