Luke Beveridge has opted to go tall against the Gold Coast Suns in Cairns this weekend, with big man Tom Boyd set to play his first senior game since round four, while Josh Dunkley also returns to the side.

Senior assistant coach Brett Montgomery, speaking with westernbulldogs.com.au on Thursday morning said that he expects Boyd to play a dual role, as a marking target in the forward line alongside Jack Redpath, as well as sharing ruck duties with fellow tall Jordan Roughead.

“We think we’re just lacking one taller target down there with Tommy being more of a forward/ruck, rather than playing two ruckman,” Montgomery said. 

“We’re still yet to settle on what is our best make-up, and the make-up of our forward line, so Tom gets another opportunity and we’re really looking forward to getting Tom up and going.”

Josh Dunkley will play his seventh career game after a prolific showing in the VFL last weekend, the 19-year-old collecting 32 disposals, seven marks and an impressive 17 tackles against Richmond at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday.

Montgomery said that Dunkley is a welcome addition to the side, as the Dogs look to extend their Cazaly's Stadium winning streak to three.

“[It’s] great to get Josh back.

“He probably didn’t do a hell of a lot wrong to go out of the team but that’s a sign of where we’re at at the moment. 

“We’ve got a number of players we’d love to be playing and who are in really good form at VFL level but there’s only so many spots, and Dunks has been one of those guys that every time he’s gone back, just like Mitch Honeychurch, they haven’t put a foot wrong. 

"So we’re really happy and ready to select them every time that a spot pops up."

The injured Tom Liberatore and Lukas Webb (omitted) make way for Dunkley and Boyd, while Webb, Kieran Collins and Mitch Honeychurch make up the emergencies.

 

Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday 16 July 2016, 3:20pm
Venue: Cazaly’s Stadium


Full backM BoydF RobertsJ Johannisen
Half backE WoodD MorrisM Suckling
CentrelineL HunterM BontempelliL Picken
Half forwardC DanielT BoydLin Jong
Full forwardT DicksonJ RedpathJ Stringer
FollowersJ RougheadJ MacraeM Wallis
InterchangeC SmithJ DunkleyS Biggs
 K Stevens  
EmergenciesK CollinsL WebbM Honeychurch

In: T Boyd J Dunkley

Out: L Webb (Omitted) T Liberatore (Lung)