The Western Bulldogs will blood their eighth debutant of 2015 with father-son recruit Zaine Cordy set to play his first game against North Melbourne on Saturday.

The 18-year-old defender is the son of former player Brian who played 124 games with the Club, and brother of current ruckman Ayce.

His debut will see the Bulldogs become the club to have blooded the most debutants in season  2015, a remarkable stat for a side placed sixth on the AFL ladder.

Cordy will also become the 40th player on the Bulldogs list used this season – the second most by any club this year behind the Gold Coast Suns.

VIDEO: Watch Zaine Cordy's VFL highlights reel to see the form that earned him a debut.

Bulldogs senior assistant coach Brett Montgomery said he was expecting Cordy to be a fierce competitor in his debut match.

“Zaine’s a fierce competitor, as an 18 or 19-year-old he brings a high level of competitiveness which is a great trait to come in with and not have to develop.

“Obviously with it being pretty strong in the bloodlines with the family, he knows what it’s all about, he’s hit the ground running since he’s been here so he’s given himself a chance to play in his first year which is great.

“As a defender he’s been able to take a young-aged mentality of defence into a team-defence model which has been great.”

The Dogs will also welcome back experienced duo Matthew Boyd and Liam Picken who missed the round 21 clash against West Coast with minor injury complaints.

Montgomery said the pair were both fit for the match, and would be welcome additions, with 403 games between them.

“Mature bodies, mature heads, guys that were in great form before they went out.

“Just one week injuries which is good so you don’t lose too much, we’re looking forward to those two and a couple of others coming in.”

Vice-captain Jordan Roughead also returns to the senior side for the first time since round 16, and looks likely to shoulder the ruck duties alongside Jack Redpath.

Lukas Webb and Mitch Honeychurch also return to the line-up after consistent VFL form in recent weeks.

The Bulldogs will face a red-hot North Melbourne side coming off seven wins in a row, including a big victory against Fremantle in round 21.

Montgomery said that despite a disappointing result against West Coast, his side’s form had been just as strong.

“They’ve been able to string them together now and I think that’s what they were searching for early in the year.

“So we know what we’re up against, they’ve been really strong over their last six or seven.

“We’ve also been pretty strong apart from our last 40 minutes over the weekend so it should be a great game.”

Tom Campbell (thigh), Michael Talia (ankle), Daniel Pearce, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong and Roarke Smith (omitted) make way for the six inclusions.

 

ROUND 22 – North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 29 August 2015, 4:35pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium

Full backD MorrisJ RougheadZ Cordy
Half backM BoydJ HamlingE Wood
CentrelineR MurphyJ MacraeS Biggs
Half forwardL DahlhausT DicksonS Crameri
Full forwardL HunterJ StringerL Picken
FollowersJ RedpathM WallisM Bontempelli
InterchangeJ GrantL WebbM Honeychurch
 J Johannisen  
EmergenciesT BoydC DanielL Jong

In: M Boyd, L Picken, J Roughead, M Honeychurch, L Webb, Z Cordy

Out: T Campbell (thigh), M Talia (ankle), D Pearce (omitted), C Daniel (omitted), L Jong (omitted), R Smith (omitted)

New: Z Cordy (Geelong Falcons – TAC Cup)