The Western Bulldogs are poised to unveil their third debutant this season, with bustling forward Jack Redpath set to bolster the Club’s attack against Geelong on Sunday.
Speaking to the media this morning, Senior Coach Brendan McCartney said the 23-year-old would be named in this week’s side after pressing his claim for a number of weeks in the VFL.
“We will introduce Jack Redpath into our team, he is going to play his first game which is fantastic for Jack,” McCartney said.
“He was tracking really well as a young player and overcame a couple of knee reconstructions - Shannon Grant unearthed him.
“We have had him here for two or three years and he has been able to really develop in our VFL team, under some great coaching from Ash Hansen who has brought him along fantastically well.”
The big-bodied forward will add to the Bulldogs physical presence in attack, having refined his marking craft this season at Footscray – averaging over five marks per game.
Currently sitting equal second for total goals in the VFL this season, Redpath has kicked 17 majors in the past five outings and is adding elements to his game away from the big sticks.
“We hope he will bring some intensity and some contested marking – we were out-marked way too much in our forward half last week and we are hopeful Jack will help us in that area,” he said.
McCartney also confirmed that captain Ryan Griffen and defender Jordan Roughead would be available for selection, pending they get through Thursday’s main training session.
While Griffen was ruled out of last week’s win against Melbourne with a back complaint, Roughead was left out of the round 15 side to rehabilitate a shoulder niggle.
“Griffen should come back, Ryan, and Jordan Roughead, provided they come through training today,” he said.
“Roughie is a nice surprise, we thought we’d lost him and he is still available provided he can get through training but we won’t take any risks.”
