UNLUCKY Bulldogs Shaun Higgins and Tom Williams will return to the AFL stage when their club takes on Fremantle in the a NAB Challenge clash at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Higgins has not played since fracturing the navicular bone in his left foot in round three last season.
The 25-year-old has been tipped to resume on the wing or even in defence, as coach Brendan McCartney does his best to bring out Higgins' undeniable potential.
Williams has played just five senior games in two years, and will be keen to restart his injury-interrupted career.
He has been training with the forward group through the pre-season, after the Dogs identified the need to rejig their attacking setup.
The 27-year-old joins Liam Jones and Daniel Giansiricusa, who will play their first games of the year, as well as star recruit Stewart Crameri in a new-look Dogs forward line.
However, captain Ryan Griffen is a notable absentee for the Bulldogs as he continues to battle a back complaint.
The Dockers have named important inclusions Ryan Crowley, Chris Mayne and Clancee Pearce for the clash with the Dogs.
Higgins has not played since fracturing the navicular bone in his left foot in round three last season.
The 25-year-old has been tipped to resume on the wing or even in defence, as coach Brendan McCartney does his best to bring out Higgins' undeniable potential.
Williams has played just five senior games in two years, and will be keen to restart his injury-interrupted career.
He has been training with the forward group through the pre-season, after the Dogs identified the need to rejig their attacking setup.
The 27-year-old joins Liam Jones and Daniel Giansiricusa, who will play their first games of the year, as well as star recruit Stewart Crameri in a new-look Dogs forward line.
However, captain Ryan Griffen is a notable absentee for the Bulldogs as he continues to battle a back complaint.
The Dockers have named important inclusions Ryan Crowley, Chris Mayne and Clancee Pearce for the clash with the Dogs.
However, late on Monday Freo made one change, with Nick Suban replacing Max Duffy.
Wednesday, February 26
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 7.10pm AEST
Click here for the full NAB Challenge fixture
WESTERN BULLDOGS
3. Mitch Wallis, 5. Matthew Boyd, 6. Luke Dahlhaus, 7. Shaun Higgins, 8. Stewart Crameri, 9. Jake Stringer, 10. Easton Wood, 11. Jackson Macrae, 12. Tom Williams, 13. Daniel Giansiracusa, 15. Jason Tutt, 17. Adam Cooney, 19. Liam Jones, 21. Tom Liberatore, 22. Mitch Honeychurch, 23. Jordan Roughead, 25. Koby Stevens, 26. Lachlan Hunter, 27. Will Minson, 29. Tory Dickson, 31. Tom Young, 32. Michael Talia, 38. Dale Morris, 39. Jason Johanissen, 42. Liam Picken, 43. Jack Redpath, 44. Brett Goodes, 45. Tom Campbell, 46. Lin Jong
FREMANTLE
FREMANTLE
1. Hayden Ballantyne, 3. Zac Dawson, 4. Colin Sylvia, 6. Danyle Pearce, 7. Nick Suban, 8. Nat Fyfe, 9. Matt de Boer, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tommy Sheridan, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 15. Ryan Crowley, 16. David Mundy, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Luke McPharlin, 19. Scott Gumbleton, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Michael Barlow, 22. Tanner Smith, 23. Chris Mayne, 27. Lachie Neale, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 31. Aaron Sandilands, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cam Sutcliffe, 34. Lee Spurr, 37. Michael Johnson, 38. Jack Hannath, 41. Paul Duffield, 46. Clancee Pearce
