The Western Bulldogs have finalised their side for their round 18 clash with Essendon, with no changes to the line up that defeated Collingwood by 18 points last weekend.

The Bulldogs have named an unchanged side for the first time this season, with Luke Beveridge confident in his side to get the job done against the Bombers.

A win on Sunday would maintain the Bulldogs spot in the top six.

Bulldogs senior assistant coach Brett Montgomery said his side would be prepared for a tough contest.

“I thought they were really good against a quality team. They’ve got some selection concerns of their own, whether they stick with the youth that gave them that excitement and that energy on the weekend or they turn to some mature heads that they can rely on a little bit more so we’ll keep a really close eye on that.

“We’re expecting a pretty fierce contest, we’re also expecting a pretty fast game… we might (be) getting the Bombers at a time where they’re just starting to find some form."

Tom Boyd, Sam Darley and Lin Jong will be emergencies for the Sunday afternoon clash.

The Bulldogs and Bombers will play off for the annual EJ Whitten Cup, named in honour of the Footscray legend.

 

ROUND 18 – Essendon v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 2 August, 3:20pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium

Full backD MorrisM TaliaM Boyd
Half backR MurphyE WoodJ Johannisen
CentrelineM BontempelliJ MacraeS Biggs
Half forwardL DahlhausT DicksonS Crameri
Full forwardL HunterJ RedpathJ Stringer
FollowersT CampbellM WallisL Picken
InterchangeJ GrantJ PruddenB Dale
 C Daniel  
EmergenciesT BoydS DarleyL Jong