The Western Bulldogs have named an unchanged team for Saturday’s do-or-die elimination final against St Kilda at The Gabba.
Star forwards Mitch Wallis and Aaron Naughton have both been declared fit to play and will take on the Saints, with senior coach Luke Beveridge backing in the 22 players who got the job done against Fremantle to do the same again.
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Five Bulldogs will get their first taste of AFL finals footy – Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith, Ryan Gardner and off-season recruits, Alex Keath and Josh Bruce.
It’s been a big week for Bruce – who has welcomed son August into the world and will play his first final against his old side.
Laitham Vandermeer, who was in the mix for selection after overcoming a hamstring injury, has been named as an emergency alongside Jackson Trengove, Billy Gowers and Bailey Dale.
This is the first time all season the Bulldogs have named an unchanged team – and the first time since last year’s elimination final.
Momentum has been building for the Bulldogs in the back half of 2020. They enter this final on the back of three consecutive wins, and five wins from their past six matches.
The Saints also enter in strong form, after a big win against the GWS Giants in the final round of the home and away season.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
TEAM
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 3 October, 4.40pm AEST
The Gabba, Brisbane
B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel
HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Hayden Crozier
C: Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, Jason Johannisen
HF: Ed Richards, Josh Bruce, Mitch Wallis
F: Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter
Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley
Int: Zaine Cordy, Taylor Duryea, Pat Lipinski, Roarke Smith
Emer: Jackson Trengove, Laitham Vandermeer, Billy Gowers, Bailey Dale
NO CHANGE
