The Western Bulldogs have made two changes to the side that went down to North Melbourne last weekend, with Caleb Daniel returning from injury and Jack Redpath set to make his 2016 debut.

After strong form at VFL level, Assistant Coach Rohan Smith said the time was right for Redpath to make his debut.

“We’ve wanted to bring Jack in it’s just that the circumstances haven’t been right, so we just felt this week was the right time to bring him in.

“He’s been in some good VFL form, he takes a really good contested mark but he’s a good mark on the lead as well.

“He’s got some explosive power, he puts good pressure on, he can lay a tackle and he can kick a very good goal.’

Daniel has been selected for his first game since suffering a calf strain following the Club’s round four clash against Carlton, and Tom Liberatore has been named after recovering from a corky sustained on Friday night.

“He copped a really good one but he’s looked after it during the week like a treat and he’s fine,” Smith said.

With Koby Stevens to miss with an abdominal strain and Lin Jong omitted, the Dogs have opted to go tall against the Crows, with Redpath, Tom Campbell, Jordan Roughead and Fletcher Roberts all named.

While Adelaide are the League’s highest scoring side, Smith says they won’t be reliant the back six to hold the likes of Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker to account.

“When you look at defence, and people say we’re the number one for stopping sides, it’s not just the defenders, I think it’s the way the whole team defends.

“And that’s been really positive the way the forwards put pressure on, the midfielders are really good at putting pressure on and hunting the opposition, and the defenders are doing really well as well.

“So, it is our total team defence that we focus on, it’s not just the defenders.”

Zaine Cordy, Josh Dunkley and Mitch Honeychurch has been named as emergencies.

Round 7 – Western Bulldogs v Adelaide

Saturday 7 May, 7:40pm

Venue: Etihad Stadium



To view the Adelaide Crows' team for Saturday night, click here.



