The Western Bulldogs have made two changes ahead of the clash against Port Adelaide on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli will be managed, while Buku Khamis will come in and play his first game for the season.

Utility Anthony Scott returns to the side after missing last week’s 32-point win over Essendon due to entering AFL health and safety protocols.

Forward Mitch Wallis comes out of the side after injuring a joint in his foot, while Josh Schache won’t play against Port after coming on as medi-sub last week.

It will be the first time the Bulldogs return to Adelaide Oval since the famous victory in the Preliminary Final last season.

The emergencies are Jordon Sweet, Rhylee West, Luke Cleary and Hayden Crozier.

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 8 TEAM
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Friday 6 May, 7.30pm AEST
Adelaide Oval

B: Ed Richards, Ryan Gardner, Taylor Duryea
HB: Caleb Daniel, Tim O’Brien, Bailey Dale
C: Lachlan McNeil, Jack Macrae, Roarke Smith
HF: Bailey Smith, Zaine Cordy, Cody Weightman
F: Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Buku Khamis
R: Stefan Martin, Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar
Int: Robbie McComb, Laitham Vandermeer, Anthony Scott, Bailey Williams
Emer: Jordon Sweet, Rhylee West, Luke Cleary, Hayden Crozier

In: Anthony Scott, Buku Khamis
Out: Marcus Bontempelli (managed), Mitch Wallis (foot), Josh Schache (Medi-Sub)

Last week’s sub: J. Schache (replaced M. Wallis)

The Western Bulldogs have suffered a 17-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

What started as a hot contest quickly changed when second-half injuries to Tim O’Brien, Laith Vandermeer and Cody Weightman wreaked havoc, proving too much for the undermanned Bulldogs in the 12.14 (86) to 10.9 (69) result.

Slotting two quick goals in the first term through Lachie McNeil and Bailey Smith, the Bulldogs displayed some early dominance before the Power found their way into the match.

Trailing by two points at the quarter-time, the second was more of an arm wrestle as the hosts arrested momentum back, but the Dogs were able to remain within arm’s reach.

The third quarter was ultimately where the game was won though, with the home side adding five goals and forcing the Bulldogs into chasing a 24-point deficit with a quarter to play.

Port peppered the behinds early in the last, leaving the door open for a red, white and blue comeback.

But now two down on the bench - having already activated their medical substitute – the depleted Dogs had barely anything left in the tank.

Buku Khamis’ first career goal was a highlight, while spearhead Aaron Naughton finished with four majors from six marks.

Stand-in skipper Jack Macrae found plenty of the ball, registering 32 disposals and 10 clearances, while Bailey Smith (24, four tackles, six inside 50s, two goals and 578 metres gained) was impactful.

The Bulldogs will have a seven-day break before meeting Collingwood at Marvel Stadium next Friday night.

PORT ADELAIDE      5.0      7.4      12.8    12.14 (86)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    4.4            6.6      8.8      10.9 (69)

GOALS  
Port Adelaide: Finlayson 3, Marshall 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Gray 2, Motlop, Boak, Dumont
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 4, B.Smith 2, Dunkley, Khamis, McNeil, Liberatore

BEST  
Port Adelaide: Boak, Marshall, Rozee, Finalyson, Bonner, Amon
Western Bulldogs: Naughton, B.Smith, Macrae, Dale, Liberatore

INJURIES  
Port Adelaide: Bonner (ankle)
Western Bulldogs: O'Brien (calf), Vandermeer (hamstring), Weightman (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES  
Port Adelaide: Lachie Jones (replaced Bonner at three-quarter time)
Western Bulldogs: Hayden Crozier (replaced O'Brien in the third quarter)