The Western Bulldogs back six will receive a boost against Essendon on Saturday, with Dale Morris headlining four inclusions to the side.

The Club veteran joins Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Williams and Jason Johannisen who have earned a recall to the senior lineup ahead of round seven.

View the Essendon line-up for Sunday's match at Etihad Stadium at westernbulldogs.com.au/teams

Morris has been named after being cleared by medical staff, having spent the past two weeks on the sidelines rehabilitating an ankle injury.

The veteran’s 177 games of experience will be beneficial when going head-to-head with Essendon’s tall forwards, Assistant Coach Rohan Smith said.

“A bit of experience, that is what he does bring – obviously Dale’s our best backman,” Smith said.

“The wealth of knowledge that he has and experience to come back and bring into a young back line group… Moz coming back just shores us up a little bit.

“He will be a welcome addition this week.”

Bontempelli returns to the side after being a late withdrawal last week and will be looking to build on his debut game against Carlton.

The first round draft pick finished with 14 touches, five tackles and three inside 50s in a promising initial performance.

After kicking four goals in Footscray’s dominant VFL win last week, Johannisen has been named in the Bulldogs senior side and will add some run and creativity out of the backline.



Watch BulldogsTV highlights of Jason Johannisen's four goal performance.

Williams will also add flexibility to the lineup, capable of making an impact both up forward and in defence.

Daniel Giansiracusa, Tom Young, Tom Campbell and Lin Jong have been omitted from the side that took on Adelaide last week.

View the full Western Bulldogs side to take on Essendon below:



Round 7 - Essendon v Western Bulldogs

7:40pm, Saturday, 3 May 2014

at Etihad Stadium



View the Essendon line-up for Sunday's match at Etihad Stadium at westernbulldogs.com.au/teams

