WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expects Matthew Suckling to play in an unchanged line-up on Sunday against Hawthorn, the first time in more than a year the Dogs have not made a selection switch.
The running defender damaged anke ligaments early in the round-one clash with Sydney at Marvel Stadium last Saturday and trained indoors on Tuesday but should be declared fit after featuring in Thursday's session.
"We're optimistic he'll be fine," Beveridge said before training.
"I'd imagine we'd probably go in unchanged. There may be an adjustment there (if Suckling is unavailable), but when the side comes out this afternoon I'd imagine Matt will be in it and we'll give him a little bit of time if he's a little bit ginger."
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
Patrick Lipinski, Will Hayes and Jackson Trengove performed strongly in the VFL against Werribee, but all three look set to miss out on senior selection in a side Beveridge said was "buoyant" after the hard-fought win over Sydney.
"It's important to get those wins on the board early, because there's a little bit of change that's swept through our team. To be able to establish a winning formula at the start of the year becomes reasonably critical," he said.
No changes to an undersized line-up means ruckman Tim English is likely to face experienced Hawthorn duo Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar, while down back captain Easton Wood will be given significant responsibility after a strong performance against Swans superstar Lance Franklin.
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
"We haven't played him (Wood) as a key defender often. Last week we did, he played on Lance most of the game. We're probably more of a defence that works together, it's not essential that we match up, so to speak," Beveridge said.
"This week they've got some talls up there that we'll need to defend really well, so the expectation will be that Easton's best aerial game comes out again, so it can be done.
"The Hawks haven't got any Franklin types … although no-one's got any Franklin types in their ranks anymore."
Former Hawk Taylor Duryea will face his old teammates for the first time, a task he appears to relish.
"I did have a conversation with him about just that the other day and he had a little bit of a grin on his face, because obviously he's got some really strong friendships and great relationships with everyone at the Hawks," Beveridge said.
"He's such a great character and he'll maybe be a bit more nervous playing against his old club round two, but it's as good a time as any to get it out of the way."
Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify
