Tim O’Brien will make his debut in the red, white and blue this weekend after being named to play against Richmond on Saturday night. 

The 27-year-old joined the Club over the off-season as an unrestricted free agent, having played 97 games and kicking 73 goals for Hawthorn across nine seasons.

O’Brien impressed during pre-season but had a delayed start to his Bulldogs’ career after suffering a hamstring injury on the eve of the campaign. 

The utility will play in the backline for the Bulldogs, replacing key defender Alex Keath. 

The defender will miss at least the next three weeks of football after sustaining a hamstring injury at training during the week.

Louis Butler has been included on the interchange after strong VFL form, collecting 27 disposals and a goal in the victory over Northern Bullants. 

Bailey Williams returns to the backline in place of Zaine Cordy, who will miss the round four clash after entering concussion protocols.

Mitch Wallis, Buku Khamis, Jordon Sweet and Lachlan McNeil have been named as emergencies. 

The medical substitute will be named from among the emergency list before the first bounce.

The game against the Tigers at the MCG will get underway at 7:25pm local time. 

The fixture will be live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.  

ROUND 4 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v Richmond
Saturday 9 April, 7.25pm AEST
MCG

B: Ed Richards, Ryan Gardner, Taylor Duryea
HB: Caleb Daniel, Tim O’Brien, Bailey Dale
C: Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter
HF: Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Smith
F: Mitch Hannan, Aaron Naughton, Laitham Vandermeer
R: Tim English, Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli
Int: Louis Butler, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Williams, Anthony Scott
Emer: Jordon Sweet, Buku Khamis, Mitch Wallis, Lachlan McNeil

In: Tim O’Brien, Bailey Williams, Louis Butler 
Out: Alex Keath (hamstring), Zaine Cordy (concussion), Roarke Smith (omitted), Mitch Wallis (medi-sub)

Last week’s sub: M. Wallis (replaced Z. Cordy)

The Western Bulldogs have registered their third loss of the season, falling to a rampant Tigers outfit by 38-points at the MCG on Saturday night.

Inaccuracy haunted the Bulldogs, kicking 7.19 for the match and unable to convert field dominance forward of the ball.

Bailey Smith tried hard for the visitors with 36 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.

Midfield partners Jack Macrae (34) and Josh Dunkley (37) also found the ball regularly, with Aaron Naughton the only multiple goal kickers for the red, white and blue.

It was a tight contest early, as the Bulldogs found nine scoring shots to four in the opening term, but only led by five points.

Richmond opened up the game in the second, kick five goals to one, edging the buffer to 11-points at the main break.

From there, it was all Richmond.

The last two quarters saw the inaccuracy continue, while the Tigers took their chances to lead by 24-points heading into the final term.

Despite improved effort from the Bulldogs, Richmond ran out 15.9 (99) to 7.19 (61) winners.

Laitham Vandermeer was subbed out of the contest at half-time with hamstring tightness.

The Bulldogs next face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Good Friday, as the Club raises much-needed funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

RICHMOND                     2.2    7.3    12.5    15.9 (99)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.7    4.10   6.17    7.19 (61)

GOALS  
Richmond: Lynch 4, Bolton 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Dow, Nankervis, Parker, Pickett, Prestia, Short
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, Bontempelli, English, Macrae, Treloar, Vandermeer

BEST  
Richmond: Short, Lynch, Prestia, Rioli, Bolton, Pickett
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Macrae, Dale, Bontempelli, Dunkley, Naughton 

INJURIES  
Richmond: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (hamstring tightness)

SUBSTITUTES  
Richmond: Jack Ross (unused)
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Wallis (replaced Vandermeer in the third quarter)