THE WESTERN Bulldogs couldn't change a winning formula, according to coach Luke Beveridge, as Matt Suckling and Lin Jong failed to break into the Grand Final 22 on Thursday.
Since making five changes for their elimination final against West Coast in a brave move that paid dividends, the Bulldogs have made just two changes since.
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Jong suffered a shoulder injury against the Eagles and came out of the team for Toby McLean, while Suckling's Achilles problem flared up after the win over Hawthorn in the semi-final and was replaced by Fletcher Roberts.
Beveridge said both had been "enormous" for the club this year, but the 22 players who faced Greater Western Sydney in their preliminary final deserved to hold their spots.
"(Selection was) really tough. No one deserves to go out of the side," Beveridge told Channel Nine on Thursday night.
"The performance last week and the week before, they all deserve their spot and we can't omit anyone. We've got to run with it."
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Suckling appeared sore at training this week but has been named as an emergency.
Ruckman Tom Campbell was also named as an emergency as back-up for Jordan Roughead, who suffered an eye injury in the win over the Giants.
Jong was best afield in the VFL Grand Final last Sunday and is the Bulldogs' other emergency.
Beveridge said he made those unlucky Bulldogs aware of the final 22 on Thursday, with a late change on Saturday unlikely.
"It's always difficult, but you have to confront it and the boys will have to deal with their emotions and try and support their teammates," the coach said.
"That's a really challenging thing for them, but we have faith and trust that they'll be able to do that in the right fashion."
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire indicated the Swans were also set to go in on Saturday as selected, with NAB AFL Rising Star Callum Mills and co-captain Jarrad McVeigh passing all necessary tests this week.
"'Millsy has trained all this week and has been absolutely flat out at both sessions, so he's done absolutely what's required of him," the coach said.
"And Jarrad ran really well on Wednesday and has pulled up really good, so we expect both to play.
"They're both really important players for us and have both got big jobs on Saturday."
