The Western Bulldogs are backing in the team that fell two points short to Port Adelaide, opting for an unchanged side for their elimination final against Essendon this Sunday at UTAS Stadium.

Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Bailey Dale have all been named in the starting line-up, after being announced as All Australians last night.

Lewis Young has been named in the ruck, while Tim English has been named at full-forward.

Sunday will also mark an AFL finals debut for both Cody Weightman and Laith Vandermeer.

Last week’s unused medical sub, Josh Schache, makes way, but has again been named as an emergency alongside Ryan Gardner, Anthony Scott and Rhylee West.

One of the four will be confirmed as the medical sub an hour before the bounce on Sunday.

The elimination final will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.

First Elimination Final
Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Sunday 29 August, 3.20pm
UTAS Stadium, Launceston 

B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale
C: Adam Treloar, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter
HF: Laith Vandermeer, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith
F: Tom Liberatore, Tim English, Cody Weightman
R: Lewis Young, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli

Int: Jason Johannisen, Mitch Hannan, Easton Wood, Roarke Smith

Emg: Ryan Gardner, Josh Schache, Anthony Scott, Rhylee West

The Western Bulldogs are through to the second week of the AFL finals after a hard-fought 49-point win over Essendon in the Elimination Final at UTAS Stadium.

The Bulldogs put together a powerful second half performance in a greasy, tough game of finals football, led by their much-vaunted midfield group.

The margin was just three points at half time, but the Dogs produced a brilliant 60-minute patch after that, kicking eight straight goals and keeping the Bombers goalless.

The win was the Bulldogs first in the post-season since 2016 and snapped a three-game losing streak to finish the home-and-away season.

Livewire small forward Cody Weightman was instrumental in the victory, booting a game-high four goals, while Aaron Naughton kicked three.

Two of Weightman’s goals came early in the third quarter, as the Bulldogs lifted a gear and took control of the contest.

Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore were outstanding in the engine room, collecting 36 and 35 disposals respectively.

Along with Marcus Bontempelli (23 touches and eight inside 50s), Adam Treloar (28 possessions) and Lachie Hunter (25 disposals), the Bulldogs won the clearances (26-17) and contested possessions (102-68) after the main break to give the team a 32-21 advantage in forward entries.

The Dogs’ defence stood up brilliantly, conceding just four goals for the game and consistently repelling Essendon attacking forays.

The Bulldogs swung a double change before the game, with Zaine Cordy’s illness giving Ryan Gardner an opportunity, while Josh Schache was included in the 22 in place of Jason Johannisen, who was named as the medical sub.

Schache played his part, kicking two crucial goals from 12 disposals and an equal team-high five marks.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             2.1   5.4   8.5   13.7 (85)
ESSENDON                                1.4   4.7   4.10   4.12 (36)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 4, Naughton 3, Schache 2, Hannan 2, Vandermeer, Smith
Essendon: Stringer 2, Smith, Parish

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Liberatore, Weightman, Bontempelli, Naughton, Smith
Essendon: Parish, Draper, Merrett, Ridley, Heppell

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Zaine Cordy (illness) replaced in selected side by Ryan Gardner
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jason Johannisen (unused)
Essendon: Nik Cox (unused)

Crowd: 9,760 at University of Tasmania Stadium