STAR Western Bulldogs utility Shaun Higgins is a chance to return in Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.
The silky utility was included in the extended squad of 25 on Thursday night, with the Bulldogs set to make at least two changes.
Young midfielder Mitch Wallis (foot) and Easton Wood (omitted) are already among the confirmed outs, while Higgins, former GWS midfielder Sam Darley, youngster Mitch Honeychurch, Brett Goodes and Tom Campbell have been included in the squad.
The squad will be trimmed to 22 at 5pm tonight.
Higgins was dropped three weeks ago when the Bulldogs recorded an upset win over Gold Coast at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns.
But after an impressive performance for VFL side Footscray two weeks ago, Higgins appears set to force his way back into the improving Bulldogs line-up.
He picked up 23 disposals, laid five tackles and kicked a goal to be among the best in the win over Essendon’s VFL side.
Higgins has played 15 games this year, averaging 20.7 disposals per game. One of his best performances came against Fremantle in Round 11 when he had 29 disposals and laid seven tackles.
he is ranked second at his club for rebound 50s and third for uncontested possessions, so he's the player the Bulldogs love to release in space.
His run, composure and skill is a vital asset to the Bulldogs and will be handy on Sunday against the Hawks.
Ruckman Tom Campbell was best on ground in that game, proving a dominant force in the ruck with 59 hit outs while Honeychurch was also among the best with 18 disposals and a goal.
Campbell has played just two senior games this year and 15 in his career but the 200cm big man has been a dominant force in the VFL.
Wallis’s foot injury is a massive blow to the Bulldogs who will now need to find another midfielder to perform defensive roles on the gun midfielders of the opposition.
He successfully tagged gun Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell in Round 18, when fractured his foot in his side’s loss to the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
The youngster, who is the son of Bulldogs great Steve Wallis, has been one of the game’s best defensive midfielders this year taking scalps that have included Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury, Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones, Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec, Brisbane’s Tom Rickliff and Richmond’s Trent Cotchin.
Wallis’s injury was the turning point in his team’s loss to the Bombers, when he was unable to come back on in the early minutes of the final term.
Round 19
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 3 August
Aurora Stadium, 3.20pm
HAWTHORN
B Angus Litherland, Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers
HB Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Matthew Suckling
HF Bradley Hill, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust
F Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis
Fol Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels
I/C from David Hale, Jonathan Simpkin, Alex Woodward, Matt Spangher, Will Langford, Taylor Duryea, Billy Hartung
In: David Hale, Matt Spangher, Taylor Duryea, Billy Hartung.
Out: Jonathon Ceglar (omitted).
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B Jason Johannisen, Jordan Roughead, Mark Austin.
HB Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Adam Cooney.
C Koby Stevens, Matthew Boyd, Jack Macrae.
HF Marcus Bontempelli, Stewart Crameri, Nathan Hrovat.
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Lachie Hunter.
Fol Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore.
I/C from Shaun Higgins, Mitch Honeychurch, Sam Darley, Liam Picken, Jack Redpath, Brett Goodes, Tom Campbell
In: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Honeychurch, Sam Darley, Brett Goodes, Tom Campbell.
Out: Easton Wood (omitted), Mitch Wallis (foot)
