STAR midfielder Marcus Bontempelli will appear in the final game of the JLT Community Series, with the Western Bulldogs resting him for the clash against the Brisbane Lions.

The club said the 21-year-old’s load was being managed and he would be ready to play against Gold Coast in week four of the pre-season series. 

Off-season recruit Travis Cloke is also a late out along with premiership Dogs Matthew Boyd and Zaine Cordy.

The defending premiers decided to expose several youngsters to senior football with Tim English, the club's first pick at the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, playing his first game for the Bulldogs. 

He will be joined by Patrick Lipinski and Lewis Young, who joined the club at pick No.28 and pick No.49 respectively in the draft.

The Western Bulldogs will also run one less player on the interchange bench, with seven players starting on the pine. 

The Brisbane Lions will play their first game under new captain Dayne Beams after his appointment was announced on Tuesday. 

Lions recruit Jake Barrett will also play his first game for his new club as the team takes in a relatively strong line-up, with the injured Allen Christensen and Josh Schache the only notable absentees. 

Josh Walker as well as young guns Jarrad Jansen and Rhys Mathieson are the other late outs.

Follow it LIVE: Dogs v Lions

THURSDAY, MARCH 2
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Out: Zaine Cordy, Marcus Bontempelli, Matthew Boyd, Travis Cloke 

BRISBANE LIONS
Out: Josh Walker, Jarrad Jansen, Rhys Mathieson 

WESTERN BULLDOGS
1. Matthew Suckling, 8. Stewart Crameri, 9. Jake Stringer, 10. Easton Wood, 11. Jackson Macrae, 14. Clay Smith, 16. Toby McLean, 17. Tom Boyd, 19. Lukas Webb, 20. Josh Dunkley, 22. Mitch Honeychurch, 25. Marcus Adams, 26. Declan Hamilton, 27. Patrick Lipinski, 31. Bailey Dale, 32. Kieran Collins, 33. Lewis Young, 34. Bailey Williams, 36. Brad Lynch, 37. Roarke Smith, 38. Dale Morris, 40. Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, 42. Liam Picken, 44. Tim English, 46. Lin Jong

Notable absentees: Bob Murphy, Luke Dahlhaus, Lachie Hunter, Tom Campbell, Tom Liberatore

BRISBANE LIONS
1. Ben Keays, 4. Ryan Bastinac, 5. Mitchell Robinson, 6. Hugh McCluggage, 7. Tom Bell, 8. Rohan Bewick, 9. Dayne Beams, 10. Daniel Rich, 12. Stefan Martin, 15. Dayne Zorko, 17. Claye Beams, 18. Nicholas Robertson, 26. Tom Cutler, 27. Darcy Gardiner, 28. Lewis Taylor, 30. Eric Hipwood, 31. Harris Andrews, 32. Sam Mayes, 33. Michael Close, 35. Ryan Lester, 37. Jacob Allison, 38. Tom Rockliff, 40. Matthew Hammelmann, 43. Jake Barrett, 44. Archie Smith, 45. Jack Frost

Notable absentees: 
Jarrod Berry, Allen Christensen, Daniel McStay, Marco Paparone, Josh Schache, Alex Witherden