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By Jennifer Witham
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has no fears in giving young midfielder Mitch Wallis a Perth debut if he is picked for the clash with Fremantle on Anzac Day.
Wallis, along with Brodie Moles and Nathan Djerrkura, is in the mix to replace Daniel Giansiracusa, who will miss with a strained hamstring suffered last week.
Eade said neither the travel nor the size of Patersons Stadium would be a factor when considering Wallis, who has been named as an emergency in all three rounds so far and played well in the VFL on the weekend, as a possible inclusion.
"He's playing footy. It doesn't matter where he plays. You'd be happy to get your first game wherever," Eade said.
Giansiracusa, who stayed out of the Dogs' main session on Wednesday and completed just straight line running, will miss at least this round.
"He won't play. We won't be taking any risks with him," Eade said.
"He probably is a chance for the week after. We have a six-day break so we'll weigh that up next week and see how he is."
Eade said former Sydney Swan Patrick Veszpremi was nearing his Bulldogs' debut and may have been considered this week, but the forward broke a finger during Wednesday's hit out and would miss at least one week.
Daniel Cross was absent with illness while defender Tom Williams left the track halfway through with back spasms but Eade said both were likely to play.
Ruckman Will Minson is pushing for a call up after a strong game in the VFL, but Eade said the Dogs would not adopt a policy like Essendon may this week and play three big men together.
"We think Jordan [Roughead] is doing quite well as a second ruck and as a forward he's giving us good options," he said.
"Will's probably competing with both them on that different level, so both are probably marginally in front of him.
"His form's terrific at the moment and he's knocking on the door and putting pressure on Ben [Hudson], which is good.
"[Hudson's] form's improved the last couple of weeks; he was disappointing in round one, so [Minson's] being considered but I think Ben will play this week."
Hudson was in full flight on Wednesday after overcoming an ankle problem last week.
Zeph Skinner, who impressed against Fremantle in the NAB Challenge match in Bunbury earlier this year, is playing well in the VFL reserves but won't be considered for senior selection until the second half of the year.
Defender Ryan Hargrave will play his first game for the season in the VFL next weekend after overcoming a nasty foot injury that required two operations over summer.
for westernbulldogs.com.au
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has no fears in giving young midfielder Mitch Wallis a Perth debut if he is picked for the clash with Fremantle on Anzac Day.
Wallis, along with Brodie Moles and Nathan Djerrkura, is in the mix to replace Daniel Giansiracusa, who will miss with a strained hamstring suffered last week.
Eade said neither the travel nor the size of Patersons Stadium would be a factor when considering Wallis, who has been named as an emergency in all three rounds so far and played well in the VFL on the weekend, as a possible inclusion.
"He's playing footy. It doesn't matter where he plays. You'd be happy to get your first game wherever," Eade said.
Giansiracusa, who stayed out of the Dogs' main session on Wednesday and completed just straight line running, will miss at least this round.
"He won't play. We won't be taking any risks with him," Eade said.
"He probably is a chance for the week after. We have a six-day break so we'll weigh that up next week and see how he is."
Eade said former Sydney Swan Patrick Veszpremi was nearing his Bulldogs' debut and may have been considered this week, but the forward broke a finger during Wednesday's hit out and would miss at least one week.
Daniel Cross was absent with illness while defender Tom Williams left the track halfway through with back spasms but Eade said both were likely to play.
Ruckman Will Minson is pushing for a call up after a strong game in the VFL, but Eade said the Dogs would not adopt a policy like Essendon may this week and play three big men together.
"We think Jordan [Roughead] is doing quite well as a second ruck and as a forward he's giving us good options," he said.
"Will's probably competing with both them on that different level, so both are probably marginally in front of him.
"His form's terrific at the moment and he's knocking on the door and putting pressure on Ben [Hudson], which is good.
"[Hudson's] form's improved the last couple of weeks; he was disappointing in round one, so [Minson's] being considered but I think Ben will play this week."
Hudson was in full flight on Wednesday after overcoming an ankle problem last week.
Zeph Skinner, who impressed against Fremantle in the NAB Challenge match in Bunbury earlier this year, is playing well in the VFL reserves but won't be considered for senior selection until the second half of the year.
Defender Ryan Hargrave will play his first game for the season in the VFL next weekend after overcoming a nasty foot injury that required two operations over summer.
for westernbulldogs.com.au
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