The Western Bulldogs will take an unchanged line-up into Saturday’s grand final against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Matthew Suckling and Lin Jong have come into the squad as emergencies, while Jordan Roughead has been named in the ruck having recovered from an eye injury against the Greater Western Sydney last weekend.

Assistant coach Joel Corey, speaking to media at VU Whitten Oval on Thursday said a key battleground will be in the middle of the ground, where both sides are strong.

“The territory battle will be important, they’ve got some star players around the football, Corey said.

‘If we can match their intensity and win that arm wrestle in there, that will go a long way to defining the outcome of this game.”

The Swans come into the game having despatched premiership hopefuls Adelaide in Geelong in successive weeks, but Corey said he’s confident the young Dogs are ready for the challenge.

“They’re a super side and they’ve been playing fantastic football throughout the four quarters but I back our boys to meet them head on and play some good football.

“They have a fantastic spirit this side, you’ve heard players talk about how much they enjoy each other’s company which is really important when you go out on the field and you really trust each other.”

The Bulldogs have won their past two matches against the Swans by a total of 8 points.

 

Grand Final – Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 1 October 2016, 2:30pm
Venue: MCG

Full backJ JohannisenJ HamlingM Boyd
Half backS BiggsD MorrisE Wood
CentrelineL HunterM BontempelliL Picken
Half forwardJ MacraeZ CordyJ Stringer
Full forwardT DicksonT BoydC Smith
FollowersJ RougheadL DahlhausT Liberatore
InterchangeT McLeanF RobertsJ Dunkley
 C Daniel  
EmergenciesM SucklingT CampbellL Jong