The Western Bulldogs have made one inclusion ahead of the blockbuster clash against Sydney on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.

Midfielder Bailey Smith returns to the side after missing last week’s narrow loss to Carlton with hip soreness, coming in for Hayden Crozier, who has been managed.

Crozier suffered a fainting episode during half-time of the round two fixture, and despite positive results from a range of testing, the Club will take no risks with the defender, who will play limited minutes in the VFL.

Aaron Naughton has been deemed fit after receiving a heavy knock to his calf, while Jason Johannisen will miss another week with a calf complaint.

The emergencies are Bailey Williams, Robbie McComb, Jordon Sweet and Mitch Wallis.

A player will be confirmed as the medical sub an hour before the first bounce.
Fox Footy and Channel 7 will broadcast the game live.

ROUND 3 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v Sydney
Thursday 31 March, 7.20pm AEST
Marvel Stadium

B: Ed Richards, Alex Keath, Taylor Duryea
HB: Caleb Daniel, Ryan Gardner, Bailey Dale
C: Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter
HF: Cody Weightman, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Smith
F: Mitch Hannan, Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
R: Tim English, Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli
Int: Roarke Smith, Tom Liberatore, Laitham Vandermeer, Anthony Scott
Emer: Jordon Sweet, Robbie McComb, Mitch Wallis, Bailey Williams

In: Bailey Smith
Out: Hayden Crozier (managed), Bailey Williams (Medi-Sub)

Last week’s sub: B. Williams (replaced H. Crozier)

The Western Bulldogs are on the board for season 2022, recording an 11-point win over Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs led from start to finish in the 9.17 (71) to 9.6 (60) affair, with skipper Marcus Bontempelli sealing the win after a late surge from the visitors.

The hosts started strong and controlled majority of the first half, keeping the Swans scoreless in the second quarter despite only managing to add 1.7 themselves.

Inaccuracy continued to plague the Dogs throughout the third, and could have proved costly as Sydney started to find their feet.

But the buffer was ultimately enough, helping the Bulldogs register a much-needed win as they kick-started their 2022 campaign.

Star midfielder Josh Dunkley was prolific with 30 disposals, 11 tackles and six clearances, alongside Lachie Hunter (28 touches, seven marks) and returning Bailey Smith (31 touches, five marks, 731m gained).

Cody Weightman finished with three goals in an impactful performance up forward, while ruck Tim English contributed with 24 disposals, eight marks, eight clearances and 28 hit-outs.

The only sour note was losing versatile tall Zaine Cordy to concussion, with Mitch Wallis activated as the medical sub after quarter-time.

The Bulldogs will enjoy a nine-day break before meeting Richmond at the MCG next Saturday night.

WESTERN BULLDOGS                 3.3       4.10       6.15       9.17 (71)
SYDNEY                                            1.3      1.3       5.3     9.6 (60)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 3, Bontempelli, Keath, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan, Vandermeer, Wallis
Sydney: Franklin 2, Hayward 2, Heeney, McLean, Ronke, Wicks

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: English, Weightman, Smith, Dunkley, Dale, Treloar
Sydney: Blakey, Lloyd, Mills, Parker, Franklin

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Cordy (concussion)
Sydney: Hickey (knee) 

SUBSTITUTES  
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Wallis (replaced Zaine Cordy in the first quarter)
Sydney: Ben Ronke (replaced Tom Hickey in the first quarter)

Crowd: 24,327 at Marvel Stadium