NATHAN Fyfe is just one of two players from Fremantle's Grand Final side who won't play against the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday night at Etihad Stadium.

 

Fyfe was left out of the side along with recruit Colin Sylvia who received a knock to the head at training on Saturday and Matt Taberner. The injured Zac Clarke is the only other member of last year's Grand Final side missing.

 

Chris Mayne will be eased back into the action in his first game following an interrupted pre-season due to back soreness and will start as a sub alongside ruckman Jack Hannath.

 

It means the Dockers will have no excuses for a poor performance after an 84-point loss to the Eagles in the first round of the NAB Challenge.

 

The Western Bulldogs have also taken a cautious approach with returning duo Shaun Higgins and Tom Williams. Both will start as subs after missing most of last season due to injury.

 

Higgins has not played since round three last season after breaking a navicular bone in his left foot while Williams managed to play in round eight and nine.

 

The Bulldogs left out Liam Jones, Jason Tutt and Jack Redpath.

 

The Bulldogs will appreciate the opportunity to test itself against last year's runners-up however they remain without skipper Ryan Griffen who has been absent due to a back problem.  

Final team: 1. Hayden Ballantyne, 3. Zac Dawson, 6. Danyle Pearce, 7. Nick Suban,  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, 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