PENPIX OF THE WESTERN BULLDOGS' TEAM FOR THE AFL GRAND FINAL.
BACK LINE
10. Easton Wood
Age: 32. Games: 187. Goals: 20. Finals: 12.
The 2016 premiership captain has been limited to 14 games this season by quadriceps, hamstring and ankle injuries but has found fitness and form.
42. Alex Keath
Age: 29. Games: 70. Goals: 2. Finals: 3.
Key defender was under a cloud but returns for his first match in three weeks after missing the preliminary final with a hamstring injury.
15. Taylor Duryea
Age: 30. Games: 159. Goals: 24. Finals: 15.
Two-time premiership Hawk gets a shot at a third medal after playing a celebrated role in helping the Bulldogs advance in September.
HALF-BACK LINE
35. Caleb Daniel
Age: 25. Games: 133. Goals: 37. Finals: 9.
The smart ball user off half-back is a crucial part of the Bulldogs' plans to break through Melbourne's well-structured defensive system. Elite foot skills.
12. Zaine Cordy
Age: 24. Games: 103. Goals: 10. Finals: 7.
Not an automatic selection, the 2016 premiership defender has nevertheless been a valuable contributor in 18 matches this season.
31. Bailey Dale
Age: 25. Games: 84. Goals: 69. Finals: 4.
A surprise move to half-back during the pre-season paid huge dividends as Dale quickly became a key contributor, earning himself a first All Australian blazer this year.
CENTRE LINE
6. Bailey Smith
Age: 20. Games: 66. Goals: 34. Finals: 5.
The young social media superstar was already a Bulldogs fan favourite and has now become a genuine match-winner in his third season. Looms as a huge threat.
21. Tom Liberatore
Age: 29. Games: 172. Goals: 64. Finals: 8.
Cult hero has put injury woes behind him to play almost every game this year. One to watch around the stoppages.
7. Lachie Hunter
Age: 26. Games: 162. Goals: 70. Finals: 10.
Made headlines for the wrong reasons off-field last year but has kept his head down in 2021, playing all but one game.
HALF-FORWARD LINE
19. Cody Weightman
Age: 20. Games: 18. Goals: 29. Finals: 2.
The livewire forward returns after missing the preliminary final through concussion. Has had a breakout season, kicking 26 goals in 15 games, and is known for taking spectacular high marks.
33.. Aaron Naughton
Age: 21. Games: 77. Goals: 95. Finals: 5.
Drafted as a defender, now the most important key forward in the Dogs' flag quest. Second behind injured fellow tall Josh Bruce on the club's goal-kicking leaderboard.
1. Adam Treloar
Age: 28. Games: 189. Goals: 107. Finals: 11.
Star recruit silenced the critics when he bounced back from a quiet semi-final with a strong display against Port Adelaide.
FORWARD LINE
39. Jason Johannisen
Age: 28. Games: 167. Goals: 61. Finals: 9.
The 2016 Norm Smith Medal winner in the Dogs' last flag cemented his spot in this year's grand final side with a strong preliminary final showing.
44. Tim English
Age: 24. Games: 68. Goals: 36. Finals: 5.
Will spend most of his time as a tall target in a forward line but also combine with Stefan Martin in an attempt to combat the threat of Demons star Max Gawn.
29. Mitch Hannan
Age: 27. Games: 66. Goals: 69. Finals: 6.
Let go by Melbourne in exchange for a future third-round selection in last year's trade period, now comes up against his old side.
FOLLOWERS
12. Stefan Martin
Age: 34. Games: 198. Goals: 47. Finals: 5.
Huge role to play against his former apprentice Max Gawn. Despite multiple injury setbacks this season, Martin gets a flag shot in his first year with the Dogs.
11. Jack Macrae
Age: 27. Games: 184. Goals: 43. Finals: 10.
Prolific midfielder broke the all-time record for disposals in a season this year and was rewarded with a third consecutive All Australian selection.
4. Marcus Bontempelli
Age: 25. Games: 170. Goals: 154. Finals: 10.
Second-year captain captain finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal and is primed to cement himself as a club legend in the mould of Charlie Sutton by leading the Bulldogs to a premiership.
INTERCHANGE
37. Roarke Smith
Age: 25. Games: 36. Goals: 8. Finals: 4.
A story of persistence and self-belief, has been on seven successive rookie contracts and twice required a knee reconstruction.
13. Josh Schache
Age: 24. Games: 64. Goals: 73. Finals: 4.
Versatile tall has made the most of injured teammate Josh Bruce's absence to hold a spot in the side in the back-end of the season.
5. Josh Dunkley
Age: 24. Games: 92. Goals: 47. Finals: 9.
Requested a trade last year in search of more midfield minutes but remained at Whitten Oval and has been an important cog.
34. Bailey Williams
Age: 23. Games: 81. Goals: 11. Finals: 4.
Missed a month after surgery on a broken collarbone in April but reclaimed his regular place in the defensive rotation.
EMERGENCIES
43. Ryan Gardner
Age: 24. Games: 21. Goals: 2. Finals: 4.
The defender was cut by Geelong without playing a senior game and has been on the Dogs' fringes for three years.
28. Anthony Scott
Age: 26. Games: 21. Goals: 10. Finals: 1.
Mature-age recruit plucked from the Footscray VFL side, has featured in a variety of positions.
23. Laitham Vandermeer
Age: 22. Games: 22. Goals: 15. Finals: 3.
Under an injury cloud during the build-up after hamstring tightness forced him off the ground during the preliminary final.
2. Lewis Young
Age: 22. Games: 24. Goals: 1. Finals: 3.
Back-up ruckman and tall defender played the first two finals before being left out of the preliminary final side.
3. Mitch Wallis
Age: 28. Games: 157. Goals: 105. Finals: 2.
Bulldogs vice-captain this year has found himself on the fringes of the team, managing just six games. Missed the 2016 flag with a broken leg.
20. Ed Richards
Age: 22. Games: 63. Goals: 24. Finals: 2.
The speedster has been squeezed out of the Dogs' best team this year after being a regular for the previous three seasons.
Australian Associated Press
