The Western Bulldogs have confirmed two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Hawthorn last weekend, with defender Tom Young and captain Matthew Boyd included in the line-up to face the West Coast Eagles on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
The pair replace Nathan Hrovat (soreness) and Brett Goodes (broken arm) in the senior team.
Returning from a fractured cheekbone, Boyd brings over 200 AFL games of experience back into the Bulldogs side, with the club captain confident his body is ready to go.
"I know it's strong and I'm confident to go out there and play this week and so are the doctors and that's all that matters," Boyd told reporters on Thursday.
"No, I won't be wearing a helmet. As the surgeon said to me, it's a personal choice."
Consistent performances at VFL level sees Young returns to the senior ranks, with the 21 year-old close check defender set to add to his nine senior games for the Bulldogs.
Young last played senior football in the Bulldogs' round nine win against St Kilda, before a calf injury sidelined him for close to a month.
The versatile defender will add extra cover to the Dogs' back six as they prepare to tackle a potent West Coast forward line that includes current Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy.
Jake Stringer, Christian Howard and Mark Austin have been named as emergencies.
View the final team line up to take on West Coast Eagles on Sunday at 3:20pm.
