WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore is a late withdrawal from Saturday night's clash against Fremantle, with Caleb Daniel getting a reprieve as the sub.

Liberatore missed last week's win over St Kilda with concussion after a mid-game collapse against Essendon the previous week.

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Daniel has played the past two weeks in the VFL after being dropped from the senior side.

Meanwhile, debutant Cooper Simpson will start as the Dockers' sub.

The 19-year-old was Fremantle’s first selection with pick 35 in last year's AFL Draft.

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, 5.40pm AWST

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Tom Liberatore (illness) replaced in selected side by Caleb Daniel

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Cooper Simpson
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel

Fremantle can get back on track in a huge encounter against the Western Bulldogs.

Fremantle's (3-3) promising start to the season stuttered in narrow losses to Carlton and Port Adelaide but suffered a bigger blow with a shock defeat to crosstown rivals West Coast.

The Dockers have averaged only 64.66 points a game in their three-match losing streak and will have to take the shackles off to have their best shot against the hot and cold Western Bulldogs.

The Western Bulldogs (3-3) have been on a rollercoaster ride as they look to blend more youth with experience while also trying to stay in the finals race. Veterans Adam Treloar, Jack Macrae and Jason Johannisen were among those to lead the way in the thumping win over St Kilda, but concerns remain over the gap between Bulldogs' best and worst.

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Match Previews R7: Fremantle v Western Bulldogs

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Dockers and the Bulldogs at Optus Stadium

Published on Apr 22, 2024

The Dockers have named pre-season recruit Patrick Voss to replace concussed Jye Amiss, while Heath Chapman and Michael Frederick return to add some pace.

Luke Beveridge made a big selection call, leaving out top 10 pick Ryley Sanders after he had the sub vest in the past two matches.

Geelong v Carlton at the MCG, 4.35pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Nil
Carlton: Orazio Fantasia (illness) replaced in selected side by Jaxon Binns 

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Tom Atkins
Carlton: Jaxon Binns

CATS v BLUES Full match coverage and stats

North Melbourne v Adelaide at Blundstone Arena, 1.45pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Zac Fisher
Adelaide: Ned McHenry

KANGAROOS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats