THE WESTERN Bulldogs will be desperate to get their season going when they take on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs have looked like a finals team at different times this year, but are 6-6 after back-to-back losses.

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They were beaten by Hawthorn last week and need a victory to get their season on track.

The Saints (5-7) are coming off their mid-season bye after a good win over Melbourne prior to their break.

But they were belted by the Bulldogs earlier in the year and have lost four of the past five meetings between the clubs.

In a massive boost for the Dogs, Sam Darcy returns for his first game since injuring his knee against the Saints earlier this year, while Cooper Hynes has also been recalled and will start as the sub. James Harmes and Ryan Gardner are out of the side.

St Kilda also welcomes back a big name with former Dog Jack Macrae in alongside Liam Stocker, while youngsters Mattaes Phillipou and Hugh Boxshall are out.

St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm AEST

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SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Jack Carroll
Western Bulldogs: Cooper Hynes