An unchanged team has been named as the Western Bulldogs look to break a string of four defeats, against Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
New recruit Sam Lloyd will take on his former side for the first time, as the Bulldogs chase their third win of 2019.
Lloyd has been the team’s leading goal-kicker this season, with nine majors.
The 14th-placed Bulldogs sit two games outside the eight, and a win would close the gap on the eighth-placed Tigers.
Little has separated the two teams in recent times. The average margin across their past five meetings has been less than eight points.
The match will mark two individual milestones for the Bulldogs.
Midfielder Josh Dunkley will play his 50th AFL match, and Luke Beveridge will coach his 100th AFL match.
Dunkley, 22, was selected by the Bulldogs with pick 25 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft from Gippsland Power. He made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2016, against Fremantle, and played in a premiership side in his maiden season.
Beveridge is in his fifth season as coach, and has led the Bulldogs to 54 wins since taking the reins for the 2015 season.
ROUND 7 TEAM
B: Ed Richards, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Billy Gowers, Marcus Bontempelli, Sam Lloyd
F: Toby McLean, Aaron Naughton, Tory Dickson
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int: Mitch Wallis, Bailey Smith, Will Hayes, Lachie Young
Emer: Josh Schache, Fletcher Roberts, Pat Lipinski, Roarke Smith
MATCH DETAILS
Western Bulldogs v Richmond
Marvel Stadium
Saturday 4 May
7.25pm AEST
For match information, click here.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 23, 2018 – Just three points separated the Bulldogs and Tigers in the final round of the hone-and-away season last year. The Dogs led narrowly at half time, but the Tigers came out on top. Jack Riewoldt (five goals) and Dustin Martin (33 disposals) led the way for the victors, while Jack Macrae had a huge day for the Dogs, collecting 43 disposals and three Brownlow votes. Lachie Hunter (35 disposals) and Marcus Bontempelli (29 disposals) also had a big impact, with Billy Gowers slotting three goals. Brad Lynch had an opportunity to win the game with less than 30 seconds on the clock, but hit the post with a tough snap from the boundary line.
BROADCAST INFO
TV - Channel 7 (live from 7pm), FOX Footy (live from 7.20pm)
Radio – ABC Grandstand, 3AW, Triple M
