The Western Bulldogs have made four changes to the side that went down to Geelong in Round 13, with captain Easton Wood and speedster Jason Johannisen headlining the inclusions for Saturday’s game against the Swans.

Ruckman Will Minson and midfielders Clay Smith and Lukas Webb have also been named and will make the trip to Sydney, with both to play their first senior games for the year.

Assistant Coach Steven King said that Wood had fully recovered from his hamstring complaint and is ready to lead the side out against the second-place Swans. 

“It’s great to have Woody back, obviously our acting skipper, he’s probably had a couple more weeks with the bye so we know he’s ready to go,” King told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“As a back group, and as a team in general, we really appreciate his rebound and his intercept marking, it’s just great to have him back in the line-up.

“It makes us more settled and gets a bit more experience amongst the group.”

While there was speculation that Johannisen would return via the VFL having not played since injuring his hamstring tendon in round four, King said the 23-year-old had done more than enough to demonstrate his readiness.

“We’ve been really happy, the conditioning staff have done an amazing job, he’s the fittest he’s ever been.  

“We’re just really confident that JJ’s game is at a level where we’re comfortable with him coming straight back into the AFL team. 

“He’s done numerous sessions above and beyond what you do physically in a game so we’re really confident he can come in and give us some bounce off that half-back line again.”

Another player returning from injury is midfielder Clay Smith.  Smith will play his first game at AFL level since suffering a ruptured ACL in round six last season and has been recalled to the senior side after two standout performances for Footscray.

King said Smith brings a certain X-factor to the group and will be welcome addition to the side.

“It’s great to have Clay back, he’s obviously steamrolled the door to get back in and in true Clay fashion, the way he attacks the ball and plays the game, he plays every game like it’s his last. 

“We couldn’t not pick him this week after two very solid games at VFL level plus the bye… We just think he’s ready.”

And ruckman Will Minson has returned to the side in place of Tom Campbell, King saying the veteran big man had forced his way back into the team through consistently impressive VFL form.

“He’s had to earn his spot but he’s played some really good footy at VFL level and he gets his opportunity. 

“He was pivotal again to the boys getting up in Frankston and the amount of work he’s put in over a couple of months has been really solid.” 

Fletcher Roberts, Josh Dunkley, Tom Campbell, Mitch Honeychurch and Bailey Williams have all been omitted from the side that faced Geelong in Round 13.

Saturday afternoon’s clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground will also be a milestone match for Lachie Hunter, with the 21-year-old to play his 50th game for the Club.

Round 15 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 2 July, 4:35pm
Venue: SCG

In: W. Minson, E. Wood, C. Smith, J. Johannisen, L. Webb

Out: T. Campbell (Omitted), F. Roberts (Omitted), M. Honeychurch (Omitted), B. Williams (Knee), J. Dunkley (Omitted)

Milestone: L. Hunter - 50 games.