The Western Bulldogs have made two changes for the Kick for the Kids clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Experienced duo Easton Wood and Jason Johannisen will make their first AFL appearances for 2021.
Johannisen was the – unused – medical sub last week, while Wood has spent the past fortnight proving his fitness in the VFL after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Making way from the team that defeated the West Coast Eagles are vice-captain Mitch Wallis and emerging midfielder Pat Lipinski.
Lipinski has been named as an emergency, alongside Lewis Young, Rhylee West and Lin Jong.
The Bulldogs will be out to maintain their perfect start to the season after wins against the Eagles and Collingwood in opening two rounds.
It was 2009 when the Bulldogs last started a season with three consecutive wins.
The match will also mark emerging ruckman Tim English’s 50th game at AFL level.
English joined the Bulldogs with pick 19 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft and the 23-year-old has formed a potent ruck combination with Stefan Martin in 2021.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
A VFL practice match will also be played on Friday, with Footscray hosting North Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval.
Off-season recruit Mitch Hannan and Riley Garcia will return from injury for the ‘Scray, with the match to kick off at 11.30am.
ROUND 3 TEAM
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Friday 2 April, 4.20pm AEDT
Marvel Stadium
B: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Caleb Daniel
HB: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Bailey Dale
C: Laitham Vandermeer, Bailey Smith, Lachie Hunter
HF: Adam Treloar, Aaron Naughton, Josh Dunkley
F: Tim English, Josh Bruce, Marcus Bontempelli
R: Stefan Martin, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore
Int: Easton Wood, Anthony Scott, Lachie McNeil, Jason Johannisen
Emer: Lewis Young, Rhylee West, Pat Lipinski, Lin Jong
The Western Bulldogs will be doing its part to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal, which does a remarkable job to support the monumental work of the Royal Children's Hospital.
You can donate to the Club’s Good Friday Appeal fundraising page here.
