Midfielder Will Hayes and defender Lachie Young will both make their AFL debuts in Sunday’s clash against Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

The duo was told of the news by senior coach Luke Beveridge in front of the playing group, following today’s training session.

Both are in their first year at the Western Bulldogs.

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Hayes was selected by the club with pick 78 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, and will already be a known quantity to many Bulldogs supporters.

The 23-year-old starred in red, white and blue for Footscray in the VFL last season, winning the Bulldogs’ VFL best and fairest award and VFL Team of the Year selection.

A hard-running midfielder, Hayes is a proven ball-winner, averaging 26 disposals per game in the VFL in 2018.

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He featured in both of the club’s JLT Community Series matches this year.

Young was recruited by the Bulldogs with pick six in the 2018 NAB AFL Rookie Draft from Dandenong U18s.

A rebounding defender, the 20-year-old is building a reputation at the Bulldogs as a good reader of the play, with strong kicking and overhead marking skills.

Young recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Bulldogs.

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