THE 'IN' column for the Western Bulldogs could not be sweeter this week.

Premiership defender Dale Morris will play his first game of the year this week after suffering a partial ACL tear in March.

Inside midfielder Rhylee West will make his debut, as well, after a strong run of form for Footscray in the VFL.

Morris has played three games for Footscray and will be a welcome return for a backline that conceded 17 goals to St Kilda in round 18.

He last appeared at senior level in round 23, 2018.

West, son of Bulldog great Scott, will be the fifth debutant for the club in 2019, joining Ryan Gardner, Lachie Young, Will Hayes and Bailey Smith.

Coach Luke Beveridge revealed West would make his debut in an unusual way, with West and Morris tasked with some theatrical role playing about a bird that was either dead or alive.

Rhylee West in action for Footscray in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos

The moral of Beveridge's story was that it didn’t matter if the bird was dead or alive, it only mattered that the bird was in your hands.

It was then revealed West's destiny would be in his own hands as he would make his debut.

The Bulldogs will host Fremantle on Sunday at 1.10pm AEST at Marvel Stadium.

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