WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has demanded more influence from Toby McLean after the premiership forward forced his way back in for Saturday night's clash against Geelong.

Dropped after playing the first 12 games this season, McLean delivered a sparkling best-on-ground performance last week in the VFL to earn a recall for the Marvel Stadium battle.

The 23-year-old's output has dropped from 23.9 disposals a game last year to just 17.3 this year, having been asked to return to a more permanent forward role. 

Toby McLean wrapped up in the R11 clash with West Coast. Picture AFL Photos

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Now, with several key injuries, Beveridge hinted at McLean receiving more midfield minutes against the Cats.

"It's (the message to McLean) one of praise, initially, it's a difficult thing to digest when you get omitted," Beveridge said on Friday morning.

"Toby over the course of time has been an important player for us (but) we think he can be more influential than he has been.

"The challenge for Tobes is to be that player that really forces the issue and ensures that we win more games than we lose, and he's more than capable of that.

"The way he played last week for Footscray indicated that he took the news of the omission on board, and accepted it, and played really well as a midfielder.

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"With Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis out of the team, there are some opportunities in that midfield area and Toby will probably spend more time in there this time around."

McLean replaces injured defender Caleb Daniel with Beveridge identifying Matt Suckling, Ed Richards and Bailey Williams as contenders to assume his role as chief distributor across half-back.

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The Dogs face Geelong just seven weeks after allowing the Cats their highest score of the season (133) in the 44-point loss at GMHBA Stadium.

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"We've reflected on that game when we played them and identified what our vulnerabilities were," he said.

"We've been a bit vulnerable defensively (this season) and we gave up too much score last time against them.  

"We were able to score a bit down there at Kardinia Park, which is a good sign for us, but we'll need to minimise that scoreline for them this time around."

Despite Geelong being unchanged, Beveridge said he was anticipating emergency Gary Rohan to be a late inclusion for the Cats.

Geelong defender Tom Stewart and Bailey Smith tangle in round nine. Picture: AFL Photos

Less than 24 hours after AFL.com.au revealed Victorian clubs were chasing Docker Bradley Hill for 2020, Beveridge said the Dogs were yet to join the race.

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Hill and Beveridge previously shared a close bond in their time together at the Hawks from 2012-2014.

"Hilly's a great young fella, I have (got a relationship) but we haven't inquired in Brad's (movements)," Beveridge said.

"I shouldn't say that because if you ask me a question about another player and I don't say that we haven't inquired then you're going to think we have inquired.

"I'd rather stay out of it. Out of respect to our group, I don't like to talk about any of that stuff publicly, it's just not right."