Two changes have been made by the Western Bulldogs for Friday night’s blockbuster clash against the Geelong Cats at Metricon Stadium.
Both inclusions will make their first appearances at AFL level for 2020.
Experienced forward Tory Dickson and mature-aged midfielder Will Hayes have been called up to face the Cats.
Sharp-shooter Dickson kicked 24 goals from his 17 AFL games last year and has had to work through shoulder and groin niggles in the hub, before stringing together some strong performances in scratch matches – including three goals in the past two weeks.
The hard-running Hayes has been among the Bulldogs’ best over the past fortnight in scratch matches, with his ability to cover the turf and impact at both ends of the ground.
Making way from the team that defeated Melbourne last week are Ben Cavarra and Pat Lipinski.
Cavarra and Lipinski have been named as emergencies, alongside Lewis Young and Roarke Smith.
Influential defender Hayden Crozier will play his 50th AFL match in red, white and blue.
This looms as a crucial clash in the context of the eighth-placed Bulldogs’ season, who have a 0-5 record against teams currently in the top eight, ahead of a contest against the third-placed Cats.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
ROUND 14 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v Geelong Cats
Friday 28 August, 7.50pm AEST
Metricon Stadium
B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel
HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Hayden Crozier
C: Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, Jason Johannisen
HF: Toby McLean, Josh Bruce, Mitch Wallis
F: Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter
Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley
Int: Ed Richards, Laitham Vandermeer, Tory Dickson, Will Hayes
Emer: Lewis Young, Ben Cavarra, Pat Lipinski, Roarke Smith
IN: Tory Dickson, Will Hayes
OUT: Ben Cavarra, Pat Lipinski
