Brendan McCartney’s match committee have added five players to the Western Bulldogs squad to face seventh placed Fremantle on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Nathan Hrovat and Christian Howard are inching closer to their first senior game for 2014, while Tom Williams, Mitch Wallis and Jason Johannisen have also been named on the extended bench.

FULL TEAMS: View the full Western Bulldogs and Fremantle extended squads named to play in Sunday's clash.

Hrovat has been consistent in his output, building form at VFL level in recent weeks after an injury delayed start to the season, displaying the composure and skill that saw him a first round selection in the 2012 draft.

A best on ground performance from Howard, playing through the defensive half in Footscray’s 34-point victory over Coburg last weekend, also sees him enter selection calculations.

“Nathan Hrovat has been in really good form in the last couple of weeks and is really pressing for selection,” Assistant Coach Rohan Smith said.

“Christian Howard playing off half back flank at VFL level, he’s starting to show some signs that he’s really stepping up and can play AFL footy.”



INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY: View the Indigenous Round Guernsey the players will wear on Sunday against Fremantle.

After missing the past fortnight with a calf injury Williams appears set to return to a key forward role for the Bulldogs, after a match-winning three goal performance against Melbourne in his last outing in round eight.

Wallis has also been named on an extended bench and could add further depth to the Bulldogs midfield to tackle the hard-running Fremantle outfit.

The run of Johannisen could also see him recalled to provide some added dare and pace across half back and further upfield, after he too was named in Footscray’s best players last weekend.

“Tommy Williams got through the training session today and we will see how he pulls up tomorrow,” he said.

“Jason Johannisen went back [to the VFL] and showed some really good form - those boys if they get their chance, hopefully they come in and help the team.”

A minimum two changes will be made to the Bulldogs side that played the Gold Coast, with Clay Smith (shoulder) and Brett Goodes (omitted) not named in the initial squad.

The Western Bulldogs final 22 will be named 5:00pm Friday 30 May 2014.