Western Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter will return for Saturday night’s match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
The 26-year-old almost managed to play last week against Port Adelaide, less than a week after having surgery on a broken hand.
However, the extra week on the sidelines has ensured the influential forward-midfielder is fit to face the Saints.
Hunter will be joined in the team by high-flying defender Hayden Crozier, who came into the game against the Power as the medical sub.
The Bulldogs have lost Easton Wood for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury, while Pat Lipinski will miss this week due to a corked thigh.
Tim English will miss a fourth game, after suffering a concussion injury in the Bulldogs’ round six win against the GWS Giants.
However, the ruck-forward trained fully on Thursday – including contact work – as he continues to build his training loads towards a return to football.
Lewis Young, Buku Khamis, Louis Butler and Riley Garcia have been named as the emergencies.
The Saints have won the past three contests against the Bulldogs – including last year’s elimination final, which was decided by just three points.
Saturday night’s winner will take home the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate, named after legendary duo Ted Whitten and Trevor Barker.
This will be the 22nd time the Saints and Bulldogs play for the plate, which highlights the Trevor Barker Foundation and the EJ Whitten Foundation – both of which partner with Challenge, an organisation dedicated to supporting children and their families living with cancer.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
ROUND 10 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v St Kilda
Saturday 22 May, 7.25pm AEST
Marvel Stadium
B: Lachie Hunter, Roarke Smith, Cody Weightman
HB: Jason Johannisen, Mitch Hannan, Lachie McNeil
C: Anthony Scott, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith
HF: Alex Keath, Josh Bruce, Zaine Cordy
F: Bailey Dale, Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton
R: Jordon Sweet, Adam Treloar, Tom Liberatore
Int: Taylor Duryea, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Williams, Hayden Crozier
Emer: Lewis Young, Buku Khamis, Louis Butler, Riley Garcia
In: Lachie Hunter
Out: Easton Wood (injured), Pat Lipinski (injured)
